The Rio Paraguaçu is the largest river entirely within Bahia state, running approximately 500 kilometers from the Chapada Diamantina highlands of central Bahia eastward to its mouth at the Baía de Todos os Santos. Its drainage basin covers roughly 54,877 square kilometers, and the river carries an average discharge of around 103 cubic meters per second.

The navigable portion of the river extends approximately 40 kilometers upstream from the river's mouth, reaching as far as the municipality of Cachoeira. This lower stretch passes through the Recôncavo, a historically significant agricultural region where sugar cane and tobacco cultivation shaped the landscape for centuries. The twin cities of Cachoeira and São Félix sit on opposite banks of the river and are notable for their well-preserved colonial-era architecture, including convents and churches. The town of Maragojipe lies closer to the river's mouth. This lower reach also borders the Baía do Iguape Marine Extractive Reserve, a protected area established in 2000.

The upper course of the river, originating in the Chapada Diamantina, passes through towns including Andaraí and Itaetê, and the region around the upper course is associated with diamond extraction. The transition from highland to coastal lowland gives the river a varied character along its length, though only the lower 40 kilometers are considered navigable.

Paddlers considering this river should note that the navigable window is relatively short and concentrated in the tidal lower reaches approaching the Baía de Todos os Santos. The presence of the Marine Extractive Reserve in the lower reaches may carry specific use regulations that should be confirmed with Brazilian environmental authorities before planning a trip.