Circuito Netuno de Travessias 2026 — Etapa 3 (São Vicente)

In 1583, these waters saw the horizon fill with the sails of three English warships closing in on three Spanish galleons. The engagement that followed on February 3rd, known as the 1583 naval battle, turned the bay into a theater of artillery fire, eventually forcing the Spanish fleet into a retreat and claiming one vessel to the seabed. Today, the sea remains calm, but beneath the surface of the Praia do Itararé, the history of those maneuvers persists in the memory of the bay. Swimmers participating in the Circuito Netuno de Travessias follow a line that runs parallel to the very coast where Martim Afonso de Sousa established the first permanent Portuguese settlement in the Americas in 1532.

The coastal landscape

As you navigate the 750m, 1500m, or 3000m courses, the geography provides a constant point of reference. To the side, the Porchat Island rises as a distinct promontory; once accessible only during low tide, it now stands as a permanent bridge-linked landmark separating the bays of São Vicente and Santos. The shoreline is framed by the 180-meter tall Morro do Voturuá, a height frequently dotted with paragliders and topped by regional transmission towers. The nearby 1914 Suspension Bridge, an engineering project by Saturnino de Brito, serves as a functional architectural marker for the area's development.

Race day logistics

This third stage of the circuit, organized by YPS Promoções e Eventos, takes place on May 10, 2026. For those who established their rhythm in the earlier second stage of the season, this event offers an opportunity to test performance in the same coastal conditions. The swim is held at Praia do Itararé, a location that offers a consistent view of the Atlantic Forest protected by the Xixová-Japuí State Park. The organization manages the logistics of the event, ensuring that the course remains clear of local maritime traffic, allowing for a focused swim along the historic coastline. Participants should prepare for a sea-based environment where the tides dictate the flow of the water, a factor that organizers monitor closely to ensure the safety and pace of the competition.