O litoral norte do estado da Bahia compreende sete municípios - Lauro de Freitas, Camaçari, Mata de São João, Entre Rios, Esplanada, Conde e Jandaíra - em aproximadamente 200 km de litoral. Os três primeiros apresentam um litoral com urbanização consolidada ou em processo de consolidação, já os demais, apresentam, na maioria de sua extensão, praias desertas ou semi-desertas, com pouca ou nenhuma urbanização do seu litoral. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade recreacional e a capacidade de carga das praias do litoral norte da Bahia, bem como os seus limites ecológicos, oferecendo subsídios aos planos de uso e ocupação deste litoral. A qualidade recreacional das praias estudadas foi avaliada a partir da análise de 20 (vinte) indicadores de qualidade geoambiental e 12 (doze) de infraestrutura, classificados em diferentes graus de atratividade. De acordo com o método de estudo empregado, as praias de Vilas do Atlântico, Buraquinho, Itacimirim, Praia do Forte, Imbassaí e Subaúma foram classificadas como de alta qualidade recreacional, e as praias de Busca Vida, Interlagos, Santo Antônio, Porto Sauípe, Massarandupió, Baixio e Sitio do Conde como de baixa qualidade recreacional. No primeiro caso, a maior parte das praias apresentou zonas abrigadas para banho e uma boa oferta de restaurantes e meios de hospedagem, não existindo evidências de lançamento de efluentes , nem estruturas antropogênicas que dificultem o uso. Já naquelas classificadas como de baixa qualidade recreacional, em geral, não existem zonas abrigadas para banho nem uma boa infraestrutura turística e de serviços. Com relação à capacidade de carga, as praias de Buraquinho, Vilas do Atlântico, Ipitanga, Itacimirim, Interlagos, Santo Antônio, Praia do Forte e Barra do Itariri apresentaram os menores valores de capacidades de carga (inferiores a 10.000 pessoas/dia), considerando uma área ideal de 10 m²/usuário. Por outro lado, as praias com maior capacidade de carga, acima de 30.000 usuários/dia, são as de Massarandupió, Sitio do Conde, Baixio e Costa Azul. As praias de Buraquinho, Barra do Jacuípe, Itacimirim, Praia do Forte, Imbassaí, Porto Sauípe, Massarandupió, Baixio, Barra do Itariri, Costa Azul e Mangue Seco apresentaram um limite ecológico mais restritivo para a capacidade de carga - estabelecido com base em características da cobertura vegetal, número de ecossistemas nasproximidades da praia e densidade de construções fixas - e apenas a praia de Ipitanga apresentou um limite ecológico menos restritivo. Por fim, recomenda-se que os planos de gestão considerem de forma integrada as características recreacionais das praias, baseadas em parâmetros geoambientais e de infraestrutura, e a sua capacidade de carga, considerando os limites ecológicos e de acomodação destas praias.

The Beaches of Bahia State Northern Coast are stretched over seven municipalities - Lauro de Freitas, Camaçari, Mata de São João, Entre Rios, Esplanada, Conde and Jandaíra - approximately 200 km of coastline. The first three counties are closer to the Salvador Metropolitan Area (the State Capital). They include mostly urbanized and developed coastline segments, or sections being developed. The remaining counties present mostly pristine or uninhabited coastlines interrupted by occasional lightly-occupied areas. This study is aimed at evaluating the recreational quality and carrying capacity of these beaches, as well as its ecological constraints, providing scientific basis for local development planning. The recreational quality of these beaches was evaluated based on an approach involving indicators geo-environmental quality indicators (twenty) and available infrastructure (twelve). These indicators were identified and described during fieldwork (data collecting) undertaken between October 2010 and January 2011. The indicators were classified under three different levels of attractiveness: 1 for the lowest and 3 for the highest quality. The average area occupied per person (current scenario) was estimated for all beaches. The available area was measured and the carrying capacity was estimated based on "user perception" of "ideal occupation" for recreational activities. According to this approach, the beaches of Vilas do Atlântico, Buraquinho, Itacimirim, Praia do Forte, Imbassaí and Subaúma were classified as providing high recreational quality for their users. Conversely, the beaches of Busca Vida, Interlagos, Santo Antônio, Porto Sauípe, Massarandupió, Baixio and Sitio do Conde were classified as providing low recreational quality. In the first group, most beaches had naturally sheltered areas allowing safe water activities and a reasonable service infrastructure (restaurants and lodging). In addition, these beaches are apparently free of sewage and other man-made structures impacting recreational activities. Most beaches classified as providing low recreational quality offered no naturally protected areas for water activities or acceptable recreational infrastructure such as restaurants, snack bars, restrooms, lodging, etc. Regarding the carrying capacity analysis, the beaches of Buraquinho, Vilas do Atlântico, Ipitanga, Itacimirim, Interlagos, Santo Antonio, Praia do Forte and Barra do Itariri presented recreational area during low tide inferior to 100,000 m², comprising the lowest values for carrying capacity (<10,000 people/day). The study assumes 10 m²/person (user) as the ideal carrying capacity scenario. The beaches classified as having superior carrying capacity are Massarandupió, Sitio do Conde, Baixio and Costa Azul, all superior to 300,000 m² and carrying capacity beyond 30,000 users/day. Buraquinho, Barra do Jacuípe, Itacimirim, Praia do Forte, Imbassaí, Porto Sauípe, Massarandupió, Baixio, Barra do Itariri, Costa Azul and Mangue Seco beaches presented more restrictive carrying capacity limits - based on parameters such as plant cover, vulnerable ecosystems (mangroves, coral reefs, lagoons and dunes) near the coastline and density of man-made permanent structures within the coastal strip (50 meters from the shoreline). Only Ipitanga beach presented less restrictive ecological limits. The reaming beaches of Costa dos Coqueiros Region showed intermediate ecological limits. Therefore, most beaches included in the present study should have implemented tools for limiting their use based on their ability to accommodate users and provide them with recreational services. Although Ipitanga beach has presented less restrictive ecological limits, one must be aware of its low carrying capacity. Tourism and beach development planning must take into account geo-environmental and infrastructure constraints for they will affect recreational quality. Beaches providing superior recreational quality tend to attract more users but occupation must respect local ecological limits. Therefore, each beach must be dedicated to uses consistent with their capabilities and constraints.