The use of recreational waters is a widespread activity worldwide, and one of the risks associated with this practice is the exposure of bathers to microorganisms that may arise due to pollution caused by inadequate infrastructure and sanitation. In the present work, we isolated Candida spp. (n = 24) from five recreational beaches in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in order to evaluate their susceptibility to antifungals, the production of virulence attributes and the in vivo virulence using Tenebrio molitor larvae as a model. The ITS1–5.8S-ITS2 gene sequencing identified thirteen isolates (54.1 %) as C. tropicalis, seven (29.1 %) as C. krusei (Pichia kudriavzevii), one (4.2 %) as C. rugosa (Diutina rugosa), one (4.2 %) as C. mesorugosa (Diutina mesorugosa), one (4.2 %) as C. utilis (Cyberlindnera jadinii) and one (4.2 %) as C. parapsilosis. C. tropicalis isolates showed resistance to azoles and susceptibility to amphotericin B, flucytosine and caspofungin. C. krusei isolates were resistant to fluconazole, caspofungin and itraconazole, with 42.8 % resistance to flucytosine, besides susceptibility to voriconazole and amphotericin B. The remaining species were susceptible to all tested antifungals. All Candida isolates adhered to abiotic surfaces and formed biofilm on polystyrene, albeit to varying degrees, and produced aspartic protease and hemolytic activity, which are considered fungal virulence attributes. C. tropicalis, C. krusei and C. utilis isolates produced phytase, while the only esterase producer was C. tropicalis. Regarding resistance to osmotic stress, all isolates of C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis and C. mesorugosa grew up to 7.5 % NaCl; the remaining isolates grew up to 1.87–3.75 % NaCl. The mortality caused by fungal challenges in T. molitor larvae was variable, with C. tropicalis, C. utilis and C. parapsilosis being more virulent than C. krusei and C. rugosa complex. Collectively, the presence of these yeasts, particularly the virulent and resistant isolates, in recreational waters can pose a significant health risk to bathers.