Drone Rules for Praia do Cedro
Open with Limitations (No Coordination Required up to 40 meters / 130 feet) Praia do Cedro (also known as Cedrinho) in Ubatuba, SP, is located within the open regulatory airspace under DECEA's ICA 100-40 framework. Drone operations are permitted without prior DECEA coordination, provided the flight remains at or below
Praia do Cedro is a hidden, pristine gem located along the central coast of Ubatuba. Accessible only via a steep dirt trail or by boat, this tiny horseshoe-shaped beach is framed by dense, vibrant Atlantic Forest and dramatic rocky shores. Its emerald-green waters are remarkably calm, making it a spectacular niche spot for capturing jaw-dropping coastal contrasts. Geographically, it sits completely clear of restricted airport approach corridors, placing it under standard low-altitude airspace provisions.
Because it is exceptionally small and narrow, the beach leaves almost no margin for error. On sunny weekends or holidays, even a small group of visitors can easily blanket the usable sand area. Under ANAC regulations, you must maintain a strict horizontal safety buffer of 30 meters (100 feet) from any non-consenting people. To fly legally, you will likely need to launch from the rocky clearings at the edge of the beach rather than the central sand. Furthermore, the steep coastal cliffs directly behind the beach can block satellite signals—causing your drone to lose GPS positioning—and generate sudden, tricky wind drafts off the tree canopy. Pilots should maintain strict visual line of sight (VLOS) at all times.