Circuito Netuno de Travessias 2026 — Etapa 2 (São Vicente)

On the morning of the second stage of the Circuito Netuno, Praia do Itararé transforms into a focal point for the local swimming community. Organizing team YPS Promoções e Eventos, headquartered in Santos, brings a rigorous professional touch to the beach, with swimmers arriving early to navigate the coastal energy that has defined this region since the days of the first permanent Portuguese settlement in the Americas. The atmosphere on the sand is driven by a mix of local veterans and newcomers, many of whom are training for the upcoming third stage of the circuit in May.

Historical Waters

As you head out from the shore, the water reflects a history far more volatile than the current conditions. You are swimming over the site of the 1583 Battle of São Vicente, a maritime engagement where three English warships confronted three Spanish galleons. The local lore speaks of a sunken vessel resting in the depths, a silent witness beneath the path of your strokes. Beyond this tactical history, the coastal landscape is dominated by the massive profile of the Morro do Voturuá, which rises 180 meters above the shoreline and provides a reliable visual reference point for navigation throughout the race.

Tidal Dynamics and Landmarks

Swimming here requires an awareness of the unique geography of Porchat Island. Once a tidal island that relied on the shifting sea levels to remain detached from the mainland, it is now anchored by a fixed bridge. This promontory acts as a natural divide between the bays of São Vicente and Santos, creating distinct current patterns that athletes must account for as they approach the turning buoys. The southern segment of the course is framed by the dense greenery of the Xixová-Japuí State Park, a protected stretch of Atlantic Forest that remains largely untouched. The 1914 Suspension Bridge, an engineering marvel originally intended for drainage infrastructure, remains a constant companion on your periphery, marking the transition between the bustling urban shoreline and the open water challenge. Whether competing in the 750m, 1500m, or 3000m events, the race is defined by these physical boundaries where colonial history meets the modern maritime landscape.