{"id":1257,"date":"2026-09-25T20:56:03","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T23:56:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.onthenet.com.br\/index.php\/2026\/09\/25\/billings-reservoir-guide-water-sports-fishing\/"},"modified":"2026-09-25T20:57:06","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T23:57:06","slug":"billings-reservoir-guide-water-sports-fishing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onthenet.com.br\/index.php\/en\/2026\/09\/25\/billings-reservoir-guide-water-sports-fishing\/","title":{"rendered":"Billings Reservoir: A Guide to Water Sports, Fishing and Leisure in Ribeir\u00e3o Pires and Santo Andr\u00e9"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"View<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The largest reservoir in the S\u00e3o Paulo metropolitan area, the Billings Reservoir covers 127 km\u00b2 of water surface and touches six municipalities: S\u00e3o Paulo, Santo Andr\u00e9, S\u00e3o Bernardo do Campo, Diadema, Ribeir\u00e3o Pires and Rio Grande da Serra. Besides supplying part of Greater S\u00e3o Paulo, its calm waters have become one of the region’s main leisure destinations \u2014 with water sports, sport fishing, waterfront clubs and floating restaurants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guide covers what to do at the Billings, focusing on the Ribeir\u00e3o Pires and Santo Andr\u00e9\/S\u00e3o Bernardo stretches, and how to enjoy the reservoir safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A bit of history<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reservoir is named after American engineer Asa White Kenney Billings, who led the project. Construction began in 1927 under the then S\u00e3o Paulo Tramway, Light and Power Company, with the first phase completed between 1935 and 1937. The original goal was to generate hydroelectric power for the Henry Borden power plant in Cubat\u00e3o, using the elevation drop between the S\u00e3o Paulo plateau and the coastal lowlands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Greater S\u00e3o Paulo’s population grew between the 1950s and 1970s, much of the reservoir began receiving domestic and industrial sewage. Today, only one arm \u2014 isolated by a dam \u2014 remains suitable for public water supply; the rest still faces restrictions, though it sees heavy recreational use on weekends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water sports<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Billings’ calm waters are ideal for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, windsurfing and motorboating \u2014 the reservoir even hosts official sailing and jet-ski championships. Nautical clubs around the reservoir offer lessons and equipment rental.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the Ribeir\u00e3o Pires<\/a> side, Tahiti N\u00e1utica Clube, on Avenida Palmira, is the boarding point for the crossing to the Miroku Tower \u2014 another of the city’s attractions, and an easy way to combine both outings in one day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Riacho Grande, in S\u00e3o Bernardo do Campo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Entrance<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The busiest spot on the Billings in S\u00e3o Bernardo do Campo is Prainha do Riacho Grande, at the km 29 exit of Via Anchieta. The area has its own marina, from which boat and jet-ski tours depart, along with nautical clubs and floating restaurants right on the water \u2014 many serving fresh fish caught in the reservoir itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Orlando Feliciano Fishermen’s Colony, also in S\u00e3o Bernardo, offers boat tours led by local fishermen who double as environmental guides \u2014 a different way to experience the reservoir from the perspective of those who live off it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sport fishing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Amateur fishing is allowed in designated areas of the Billings, with species like tilapia, tra\u00edra, common carp and lambari. There are structured fishing spots along the reservoir \u2014 such as Pesqueiro Takamori, on Estrada Velha de Ribeir\u00e3o Pires in S\u00e3o Bernardo do Campo \u2014 with facilities for a full day of fishing and lunch by the water, a good option for families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips before you go<\/h2>\n\n\n\n