Although they aren’t the best for swimming, Fortaleza’s urban beaches are good for water sports such as surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. Bioboard Travel (Av. Senador Virgilio Távora Mar 261, Meireles, tel. 85/3242-1642, www.bioboard.com.br) offers lessons and equipment, as well as surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing outings around Fortaleza and to nearby beaches such as Cumbuca.

Brothers Wind School (Av. Beira Mar, Mucuripe 4260, tel. 85/9984-1967) offers lessons and rents Windsurfers, sailboats, and kayaks.

For a wilder beach experience, the Cooperativa de Buggy de Fortaleza (Via Local 31, Apt. 16, Porto das Dunas, tel. 85/9108-1504) organizes full-day dune buggy outings to beaches east of Fortaleza for around R$300 (for three people).

Trip da Areia (Rua do Dragão do Mar, Canoa Quebrada, tel. 88/3421-7041, www.tripdaareia.com.br) is a highly reputed outfit that runs a terrific array of multiday beach expeditions by Jeep and buggy. Trips go up and down the coastline of Ceará as far south as the dunes of Natal, and as far north as the Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses.

Also recommended is Dunnas Expedições (Rua Leonardo Mota 1394, Loja 5, Aldeota, tel. 85/3264-2514, www.dunna.com.br), which specializes in eco-Jeep trips that go way off the beaten path, both along the coast and into the interior.