Responsible travel

Dunes and Morro do Careca

Some of the most visited dunes in the state are inside protected areas, each with its own visiting rules.

• Don't climb Morro do Careca in Ponta Negra: climbing has been banned since 1997, and the dune keeps losing height, 2.37 meters in 17 years, according to a study by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN).
• The Genipabu dunes are part of the Jenipabu Environmental Protection Area, created by state decree in 1995 and managed by IDEMA, the state environmental agency. The tour is done by buggy with a licensed driver, and the environmental fee is paid on site.
• Parque das Dunas, in Natal, was Rio Grande do Norte's first protected area, created in 1977. Its trails are led by a guide and must be booked in advance.

Natural pools and coral reefs

The Maracajaú, Rio do Fogo and Perobas reefs are inside the Coral Reefs Environmental Protection Area, created by the state government in 2001 and managed by IDEMA, which publishes the list of boats authorized to take visitors there. Guidelines from the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment's campaign for responsible behavior on coral reefs:

• Don't touch the corals: they are fragile animals that die easily, and you can get hurt.
• Never feed the fish, as it harms the health of marine life.
• Don't take anything: shells, corals, sea urchins and starfish are shelter for other animals and belong where they are.
• When you swim in the natural pools, use water-resistant sunscreen only.
• In shallow water, avoid swim fins so you don't break the corals, and move slowly so you don't scare the animals.
• Check the tides before you go, to avoid unexpected situations.
• Don't buy crafts made with coral or other marine animals: that trade is an environmental crime in Brazil.

Dolphins and sea turtles in Pipa

The Guiana dolphin (boto-cinza), the dolphin of Pipa's coves, is threatened with extinction. In March 2026, an agreement between Brazil's Federal Prosecutor's Office, the Tibau do Sul city government and Pipa's boat tour association set new rules for boat trips.

• Boats keep at least 100 meters from the dolphins and spend no more than 10 minutes watching each group.
• Chasing, surrounding or trying to change the animals' path is prohibited.
• Since 2002, Projeto Tamar has patrolled the local beaches during the nesting season of the hawksbill turtle, an endangered species in Brazil.
• At night, keep the beach dark: artificial light disturbs the turtles. And don't touch the stakes that mark protected nests.

Local communities

Many tour stops are fishing villages and small communities, such as São Miguel do Gostoso and Galinhos.

• Value the protected areas and respect local communities: your visit also helps protect nature.
• Take your trash with you and never leave it on the beach, the dunes or the lagoons.
• Ask local guides and professionals about the places you visit.
• Ask before taking photos of people.

How Cabra da Peste works

What is already part of our tours:

• We are a tour agency registered with Cadastur (no. 68.685.626/0001-12), the Ministry of Tourism registry that is mandatory for tour agencies in Brazil.
• The Genipabu buggy tour is done with a licensed buggy driver.
• Tide-dependent tours, such as Maracajaú and Galinhos, leave at the time the tide table allows.
• Environmental fees, tickets and boats are paid directly to each attraction.