50km Desafio Individual em Águas Abertas

The 50km Desafio Individual em Águas Abertas is a solo sea marathon based in Porto Belo, in southern Brazil, where swimmers trace an expansive shoreline. Organized by Correr e Nadar, this custom endurance challenge follows the contours of the mainland and adjoining capes, guiding solo swimmers from Porto Belo through the waters of Itapema, Bombinhas, and Governador Celso Ramos. Swimmers gather on the sand directly to the left of the tourist pier at Praia do Centro in Porto Belo, stepping straight from the beach into the calm bay. Rather than facing the relentless disorientation of a non-stop night swim, participants advance exclusively under open daylight, choosing their own daily mileage and coming ashore each evening to rest and sleep.

An escort boat stays alongside every stroke of the journey to provide complete support, navigation, and supplies, while wetsuits are permitted for anyone seeking extra buoyancy or comfort. This tailor-made format strips away the grim ordeal often associated with ultra-marathons, turning an extraordinary distance into an intimate, supported coastal expedition. The event builds upon an established open-water tradition fostered by Correr e Nadar, who also stage individual challenges of 10, 20, and 27 kilometres, as well as monumental team relays across these bays. Swimming in the open ocean involves shifting breezes, ocean swell, surface chop, and coastal currents, which can prompt course adjustments to guarantee swimmer safety. Yet these waters reward the effort with exceptional warmth, as past editions have consistently delivered balmy, tropical temperatures that keep muscle fatigue at bay and make hours in the sea thoroughly inviting.

The 50 km programme: four days along the Emerald Coast

The 50 km Desafio Individual runs from 15 to 18 October 2027, starting in Porto Belo and passing Itapema, Bombinhas and Governador Celso Ramos. The programme opens in Porto Belo on Friday 15 October with a welcome dinner and a technical talk. Swimming happens only in daylight, with stops to sleep, and meals are taken at restaurants close to the waterfront while hydration is handled on board. The support boat is a fast one and carries a rowing firefighter (bombeiro remador) on board. Timing is taken by GPS watch for each stretch covered. The organiser's event page records water temperatures of 27 °C (81 °F) on 10 March 2026, 28 °C (82 °F) on 23 February 2025 and 31 °C (3677-88 °F) on 2 March 2024.

Enseada das Garoupas: Azorean heritage and Spanish raids in Porto Belo

Long before marathon swimmers took to its waters, Porto Belo's natural harbour served as a maritime haven known as Enseada das Garoupas. Its naturally protected bay provided safe anchorage for boats and fostered a thriving community. During the mid-18th century, the Portuguese Crown directed families of Azorean islanders to settle here, on the sheltered edge of the bay. That strategic shelter also drew hostile attention, and the settlement faced periodic naval attacks from Spanish forces contending for control of southern waters.

Ilha de Porto Belo and the sheltered emerald coves

As the swimming route extends past the main port, the coast reveals pockets tucked away. At Praia do Estaleiro, the sand sits completely isolated beneath dense forest, approachable exclusively by sea or along a narrow foot trail. Passing such wild, roadless strands from the water offers swimmers a glimpse of the coast in its most pristine state, framed by green hills and clear water.

Caixa d'Aço and Praia do Baixio: coastal life and floating anchorages

Beyond its quiet areas, the local coastline harbours lively marine anchorages that come alive during the warmer months. The cove of Caixa d'Aço forms an almost enclosed natural harbour known for exceptionally clear, transparent water. In summer, this sheltered basin turns into a celebrated gathering point for pleasure craft, where floating bars drop anchor right in the shallows to serve boaters and swimmers directly over the warm sea. Praia do Baixio offers wide, flat waters that draw windsurfers and stand-up paddleboarders across the bay. It is an ideal perch for taking in the full sweep of the sky at dawn and dusk, with unobstructed views of both sunrise and sunset reflecting off the quiet surface. Whether starting out into the morning glassy sea or gliding back into the bay after a long day of stroke work, these waters offer an ideal setting for an unforgettable ocean crossing.