AL · PE · Brazil
Warm natural pools between Alagoas and Pernambuco.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
More than 100 km of coastline are protected by the largest coral reef in the South Atlantic, between Alagoas and Pernambuco. At low tide, the sea pulls back and opens warm natural pools full of colorful fish, kilometers from the beach. On land, the so-called Rota Ecológica (Ecological Route) links quiet villages, coconut groves and beachfront pousadas (guesthouses) where the plan is to have no plan.
Maragogi is the best-known gateway, with the galés (offshore reef pools), natural pools in the open sea reached by catamaran, and beaches such as Antunes and Barra Grande. Japaratinga has calm water and quiet beaches. In Porto de Pedras, Praia do Patacho (beach) is one of the most beautiful in the Northeast, and on the Rio Tatuamunha (river) is the sanctuary where you can watch the West Indian manatee on rowed jangada (raft) trips. São Miguel dos Milagres has the boutique pousadas of the Rota Ecológica.
On the Pernambuco side, Tamandaré has the Forte de Santo Inácio (fort) and its natural pools, and Praia dos Carneiros, with the little Church of São Benedito by the sea, is the state's postcard image. Barreiros and Passo de Camaragibe round out the coast with less crowded beaches. This is the destination for calm seas, sunshine and clear water, at an unhurried pace.
This destination brings together 7 cities: Maragogi, Japaratinga, Porto de Pedras, São Miguel dos Milagres, Passo de Camaragibe, Tamandaré, Barreiros.
A look at the place
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
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One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Maragogi has clear-water beaches and reefs on the north coast of Alagoas. The tide transforms the landscape of Barra Grande and the natural pools, between boat trips and walks along the beach.
Japaratinga combines beaches, coconut groves and historic heritage on the Costa dos Corais. The Igreja das Candeias (church) and the seaside paths reveal the town's ties to coastal life in northern Alagoas.
Porto de Pedras has beaches lined with coconut groves and landscapes at the mouth of the Rio Manguaba. Praia do Patacho and the old houses of the town center invite you to combine walks on the sand with trips along the Rota Ecológica.
São Miguel dos Milagres has beaches lined with coconut groves and natural pools shaped by the reefs. Walks along Praia do Toque and jangada trips bring you close to the landscape of the Alagoas coast.
Passo de Camaragibe brings together beaches, rivers and mangroves on the north coast of Alagoas. In Barra de Camaragibe, the meeting of river and sea and the coconut groves reveal the landscapes of the Costa dos Corais.
Tamandaré combines reef-protected beaches and historic heritage on the south coast of Pernambuco. The natural pools and Praia dos Carneiros invite you to explore the sea and the region's coconut groves.
Barreiros brings together rivers, coconut groves and beaches on the south coast of Pernambuco. Praia do Porto and the religious heritage of the center let you combine trips along the coast with local history.
The local experience
A beach district about 80 km north of Maceió, at the mouth of the Rio Camaragibe, where the river meets a clear sea and coconut groves. It is the most built-up stretch of the town's coast, with boat trips on the river.
Natural pools formed over the reefs about 6 km off the coast, reached by catamaran at low tide. The water is shallow, clear and full of fish used to people.
About 7 km from the center, it is known for the small rocky island with a single coconut palm that gives the place its name. The little-developed beach was a setting for the soap opera A Indomada, aired in 1997.
Discover Praia do Porto e Ilha do Coqueiro Solitário
A sandbank that appears in the middle of the sea at low tide, just over a kilometer from the coast. It becomes a temporary island of warm, shallow water.
With a very calm sea, clean and uncrowded, it is a good choice for families with children. The strip of sand is lined with coconut palms, like much of the town's coast.
North of Praia do Porto, it has an extensive coconut grove, few buildings and reefs that protect the northern end from the waves. Remnants of Atlantic Forest allow for trails and birdwatching.
Discover Praia de Mamucabinhas
It has coconut groves, a sea in shades of blue and crystal-clear pools that form among the reefs at low tide. It is at the southern end of the Rota Ecológica, an unspoiled stretch of the north coast of Alagoas.
Built around a fishing village, it has a long strip of sand and a calm sea. The reefs shelter natural pools that are accessible at low tide.
Discover Praia do Porto da Rua
An environmental education project dedicated to protecting the West Indian manatee on the Rio Tatuamunha, visited with a local guide from the community association. The trip goes by jangada (raft) along the river and over wooden boardwalks in the mangrove, to the enclosures of animals in rehabilitation.
Discover Santuário do Peixe-Boi (Rio Tatuamunha)
Opened in 1933, it is one of the town's symbols and offers panoramic views of the region and the surrounding beaches. It is a popular spot to watch the sunset.
Discover Farol de Porto de Pedras
Built in the late 17th century to defend against the Dutch and shelter Portuguese ships, it has a square layout with pentagonal bastions at the corners. It is also known as Fortaleza da Barra Grande.
Discover Forte de Santo Inácio de Loyola
The 19th-century main church shows the influence of Portuguese architecture and stands on Praça Estácio Coimbra. From the church entrance you get a panoramic view of much of the town.
About 8 km from the center, it has few buildings, coconut palms and a very clear blue sea. At low tide, you can walk to the natural pools formed by the reefs.
It has warm water with no waves, good for a relaxed swim at any age. On the neighboring stretch of Barreiras do Boqueirão, the waterfront has bars and restaurants by the sea.
A dense coconut grove, light sand and almost no buildings: it is the postcard image of the Rota Ecológica. At low tide, shallow pools form by the reefs.
It has a calm, clear sea, good for swimming, and long stretches of sand for walks. It is part of the Rota Ecológica, within the Costa dos Corais region.
Reached by crossing the Rio Camaragibe (river) by canoe from Barra, it has cliffs and waves popular with surfers. This stretch is more isolated than the neighboring beaches.
The central beach, lined with coconut palms and white sand, is usually uncrowded. The jangadas (rafts) leave from here for the natural pools that form at low tide, good for snorkeling.
About 10 km from the center, it keeps the atmosphere of a fishing village and a sea in shades of emerald green and blue. At low tide, you can walk out to sandbanks and coral areas.
Discover Praia de Ponta de Mangue
Near the mouth of the river of the same name, home to the manatee sanctuary, it has a setting of coconut groves and clear sea. At low tide, the reefs form natural pools along the shore.
It is the main beach, next to the center, with crystal-clear water and coconut palms. At low tide, sandbanks appear, and jangadas (rafts) leave for the natural pools on the reefs.
A quiet beach of charming pousadas, good for swimming in the pools that form by the coral reef. Access is via sandy streets among coconut palms.
With calm water, it has white sand, coconut palms and natural pools formed among the coral reefs. On the waterfront stands the old Igreja de São Pedro (church), one of the landmarks of the landscape.
As the tide goes out, a strip of sand appears that seems to split the sea in half, nicknamed the Caminho de Moisés (Moses' Path). You can walk along it to the pools.
Discover Barra Grande e o Caminho de Moisés
It sits at the mouth of the Mamucabas River, near the border with Barreiros, and has very few buildings. The almost deserted stretch combines the meeting of river and sea, coconut groves and a long expanse of sand.
Discover Praia da Boca da Barra
The last beach in Alagoas before the border with Pernambuco, about 13 km from the center. It is one of the quietest and emptiest stretches of the town's coast, with few facilities along the shore.
River, sea and coconut grove meet on a postcard beach. The little white Chapel of São Benedito at the edge of the sand is the symbol of the place.
The reefs off the main beach form shallow, warm pools you can reach by jangada. The stretch is part of the protected APA Costa dos Corais.
Discover Piscinas naturais de Tamandaré
Your base to explore
Where you stay is part of the trip. Choose the area that best fits your itinerary.
An all-inclusive beachfront resort on the AL-101 Norte highway, with heated pools, restaurants, bars, a gym, a spa, water sports such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, bicycles, a game room and evening entertainment. It suits families and groups who want full facilities near the natural pools.
A beachfront boutique hotel on Praia do Marceneiro, opened in 2026 by the Nannai brand on the site of the former Tuju Boutique Hotel, on a 2.1-hectare property with architecture by Rodrigo Fagá. It has bungalows, villas and apartments, many with a private pool, as well as a spa, a beach club and the Tiatê restaurant, and is aimed at couples looking for a luxury stay.
A bungalow pousada at Sítio Manguinhos, on Praia dos Carneiros, in Tamandaré, with direct beach access and close to the natural pools. It has 16 units, including sea-view rooms and options for families, a pool, a beach bar and a restaurant, and suits couples and families looking for peace and quiet.
A beachfront pousada on Rua Felisberto de Ataíde, in the Povoado do Toque (village), opened in 2000 facing the natural pools of Praia do Toque and a pioneer of tourism in São Miguel dos Milagres. It has chalets with a porch and hammock, some with a private pool, a spa, an organic garden and a restaurant with signature cuisine, and suits couples looking for comfort and peace and quiet.
A pousada with 18 colonial-style suites on Praia do Patacho, in a beachfront coconut grove that is home to the historic Capelinha do Patacho (little chapel). It has a pool, its own restaurant and direct access to an almost deserted beach, and suits those seeking peace and quiet on the Rota Ecológica dos Milagres.
An all-inclusive beachfront resort on the AL-101 Norte highway, at km 124. It has heated and cold-water pools, themed restaurants, bars, a kids' club with recreation activities, a gym, a spa, water sports and a theater with evening shows, and suits mainly families with children.
A beachfront boutique hotel in the Povoado Marceneiro, on Praia do Marceneiro, with a few rooms split between bungalows and suites with private pools, decorated with work by Alagoas artisans. It has a bistro using local ingredients, a bar on the sand, a spa and a tennis court, and suits those seeking a quiet, sophisticated retreat.
A pousada of bungalows spread across a garden on Praia do Toque, with solar panels, composting and an organic garden. The bungalows have a porch with a hammock and some have a private pool, and the in-house restaurant focuses on local ingredients, which appeals to those who want a simple, well-kept stay near the sea.
A beachfront pousada on the Via Litorânea dos Carneiros, on Praia dos Carneiros, with a garden and a pool facing the sea. It has 33 rooms, including suites and family rooms with balconies, and its own restaurant, and suits families and couples who want to stay right on the beach.
A beachfront pousada on Praia do Patacho, on the Rota Ecológica dos Milagres, with bungalows and chalets in rustic beach decor, some with sea views. The bungalows have a private pool or hot tub and the restaurant serves regional and international cuisine, which appeals especially to couples.
A charming beachfront pousada on Praia de Bitingui, with a few sea-facing rooms, a pool, a restaurant and a bar. It focuses on personalized service and tranquility, and suits couples and small families looking for peace and quiet.
A 15-room boutique hotel on Rua Maria Uchoa de Melo, in the São Bento district, with beach access, a pool, a restaurant and a bar. It offers a personalized breakfast and late-afternoon live music, and suits couples looking for a more private, romantic stay.
A simple beachfront hotel on Avenida Senador Renan Calheiros, in Bitingui, with rooms with a kitchenette and balcony, a pool, a restaurant with a wood-fired pizzeria and a beach bar. The calm sea in front suits families with children.
A hotel on Rua São José, in the Centro, next to Tamandaré's central beach. It has a pool with a bar, a restaurant, a gym, a game room and beach access, and suits families and those who prefer to stay in town, near the waterfront restaurants.
A beachfront pousada on the AL-101 Norte highway, at km 124, made up of individually decorated bungalows with a heated private pool and hot tub. It has a restaurant with chef-driven cuisine, a spa and beach service, and suits couples looking for comfort and peace and quiet.
A beachfront pousada on Praia do Riacho, with rustic, modern architecture inspired by regional building styles. The chalets have private pools and the Banami restaurant works with local ingredients, which suits couples who want privacy on a quieter stretch of São Miguel dos Milagres.
A seven-unit pousada at Sítio Patacho, on Praia do Patacho, made up of sea-view houses spread across gardens and furnished with pieces by local artisans. It serves food cooked in clay pots, offers yoga classes and boat trips, and suits those who want the feel of home with hotel service.
A pousada in the Loteamento João Rosa, in the Povoado Estância (village), about 400 meters from Praia do Marceneiro. It has 18 suites, a pool with hot tub, a gourmet area and bicycles, serves breakfast with regional items and suits couples and families looking for a quiet, simpler place on the Rota Ecológica.
Humaitá Pousada is on the beachfront in Japaratinga. It has breakfast included, private parking, a restaurant and a bar; pool, Jacuzzi, hot tub or ofurô (soaking tub) in certain rooms.
Pousada Coqueiro Verde is on the beachfront at Japaratinga beach. It has Wi-Fi, breakfast, a pool, a deck, parking and a garden.
Anttunina Pousada e SPA is on the beachfront at Antunes beach, Maragogi. It has a spa; bungalow option with a pool.
Praiagogi Boutique Pousada is on the beachfront at Camacho beach, south of Maragogi. It has air conditioning, a minibar, a balcony with a hammock, an infinity pool, Wi-Fi, breakfast and the Tuyn restaurant.
Pousada O Casarão is 350 m from the beach and 500 m from the vilinha (little village), in Passo de Camaragibe. It has à la carte breakfast included, an outdoor pool, a bar, a restaurant, private parking, air conditioning, pets allowed, beach tennis, an electric vehicle charger and bicycles.
Pousada Divino Milagre is near the Capela dos Milagres, restaurants and boutiques, in Passo de Camaragibe. It has breakfast, a pool, a hot tub, Wi-Fi and air conditioning; pets on request.
Pedras do Patacho is on Praia do Patacho, in Porto de Pedras. It has the Corten restaurant.
Pousada Tatuá is on Praia de Tatuamunha, in Porto de Pedras. It has a beach bar for guests.
Pousada Riacho dos Milagres is on Praia do Riacho, a 20-minute walk from the center, in São Miguel dos Milagres. It has a pool, Wi-Fi, breakfast, parking, a restaurant and a bar.
Villa Pantai Exclusive Hotel Milagres is in the Porto da Rua neighborhood, in São Miguel dos Milagres. It has a pool, a sauna, lounges, a pool bar, a beach bar and a restaurant.
Rede Andrade Baía dos Corais is on the beachfront in Tamandaré. It has a pool, breakfast, Wi-Fi, a restaurant, a bar and a 24-hour front desk; pets and laundry for a fee.
Flavors of the destination
A beachfront restaurant on Praia de Barreiras do Boqueirão, with a ground-floor dining room and an air-conditioned second floor with sea views. It serves seafood, Bahian moqueca (fish stew) and tapiocas, as well as a hearty breakfast, and caters to those spending the day at the beach.
A branch of Jangadeiro from São Miguel do Gostoso (RN), opened in 2023 at the Mirante do Patacho (viewpoint), with views from Praia do Patacho to the Lages coconut grove and a permanent exhibition of photographs by Alberto Ferreira. It serves regional cuisine with a contemporary touch in a five-course menu, with dishes such as lobster and flambéed octopus, for those who want a special meal on the Rota dos Milagres.
A restaurant set in a tree-filled backyard on the street leading to Praia do Toque, with a rustic atmosphere and ingredients partly from its own garden. The menu has crab pastel (fried pastry), fish with banana farofa (toasted cassava flour), octopus moqueca, grilled shrimp and crayfish and guava cake, for those who want a well-crafted dinner on the Rota Ecológica.
A restaurant on Rua Mário Gomes de Mattos, on Praia dos Carneiros, with Brazilian cuisine with varied touches and a relaxed atmosphere. The menu has Pernambuco-style fish, stuffed crab shells, garlic shrimp, shrimp curry and Hawaiian rice with shrimp and pineapple, and suits those who want a leisurely lunch or dinner during a visit to Carneiros.
A seaside gastrobar on Avenida Senador Rui Palmeira, on the Maragogi waterfront. It serves house-made snacks, meats, fish, seafood and pasta, such as fettuccine with shrimp, with signature cocktails, sometimes with live music, and caters to those who want dinner or drinks on the waterfront.
A small restaurant in a beachfront pousada in the Povoado do Marceneiro (village), with tables in the garden and a chef who often chats with guests. The menu mixes seafood and signature touches in dishes such as shrimp bobó with pumpkin textures, crab tapioca, octopus and beiju (cassava flatbread) with burrata and shrimp, for those who want a more elaborate dinner.
A beachfront restaurant on Praia de Bitingui, next to the Estalagem Caiuia, on the AL-101 Norte. It serves Brazilian and international cuisine with fish, seafood and pasta, such as fish fillet in passion fruit sauce, with outdoor tables facing the sea, and was recently renovated.
A restaurant with Northeastern decor in Tatuamunha, also called Cantinho Nordestino da Marta, known for its arroz de quenga rica, which resembles a baião de dois (rice and beans dish) with seafood. The menu also has seafood platters and shrimp pastéis (fried pastries), and suits those who want regional food in a cozy setting.
A restaurant facing the sea on Avenida Beira Mar, inside the Hotel Areias Belas, also open to the public. It mixes regional, Mediterranean and international cuisine, with a focus on fish, seafood and risottos, such as octopus rice, has vegan options and an air-conditioned dining room or outdoor area with sea views.
A beachfront bar and restaurant on Rua Mário Gomes de Mattos, on Praia dos Carneiros, on one of the most praised stretches of the waterfront. It serves fish and seafood, such as shrimp moqueca, and caters to those spending the day at the beach who want to eat without leaving the sand.
A family-run beachfront restaurant on Praia de Porto da Rua, with a dining room, a deck and facilities for those spending the day at the beach. It serves fried fish with pirão (fish broth porridge), baked fish, shrimp dishes and the Alagoas-style petit gâteau made with cocada (coconut sweet), for those who want a simple beach lunch without leaving the sand.
An intimate bistro and specialty food shop on Avenida Marceneiro, near Praia do Marceneiro, with Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. It serves shrimp risotto, pasta with filet mignon, ravioli and banana gnocchi, and is an option for those staying in Marceneiro who want dinner without hitting the road.
A café and restaurant on Avenida José Bezerra Sobrinho, on the waterfront of Tamandaré's central beach. The menu ranges from coffee, crepes, cuscuz and omelets to pasta, risottos and desserts, with wines and beers, and covers both breakfast and light meals for those staying in town.
A beachfront restaurant and bar on Rua da Praia, connected to a pousada. It serves Brazilian cuisine with fish and seafood, has lounge chairs, a lookout and a full bar with live music, and caters to those who want to spend the day at the beach with facilities.
A family-run restaurant with a simple setting on Rua Luiz Ferreira Dorta, in Tatuamunha, dedicated to Alagoas cuisine. It serves carne de sol (salt-cured beef), moqueca, octopus and cashew-crusted fish, as well as an Alagoas-style petit gâteau with guava paste, for those who want well-made regional food without formality.
A family-run restaurant with a rustic, welcoming atmosphere on Rua Prefeito Augusto de Barros Falcão, in the town center of São Miguel dos Milagres, dedicated to Northeastern cuisine with fish and shrimp. Dishes include the grelhado dos Milagres, a seafood grill, and white fish ceviche, and there are vegetarian options for those dining in town.
A beachfront restaurant on the AL-101 Norte, in Japaratinga, with a menu of seafood, pasta and meats and a list of draft beers, wines and sparkling wines. It suits those looking for a more refined meal near the beach.
A pizzeria in the Vilinha Marceneiro, the small cluster of shops and restaurants at Praia do Marceneiro, set back from the sand. It serves thin-crust oven-baked pizzas, from classics to toppings like shrimp or carne de sol with queijo coalho (grilling cheese), and caters to guests at the area's pousadas.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
Maceió Airport (MCZ), about 130 km from Maragogi on the AL-101 Norte, or Recife Airport (REC), about 130 km via the BR-101 and PE-060. Tamandaré and Praia dos Carneiros are closer to Recife; São Miguel dos Milagres and Porto de Pedras are closer to Maceió.
From September to March, with more sunny days and clearer water. The natural pools depend on low tide, so check the tide table before booking tours: around the full and new moons, the tides are lowest. From April to July it rains more and the water can get murky.
Plan 4 to 6 days: one for the galés (offshore reef pools) of Maragogi, one for the manatees and Praia do Patacho, one for Praia dos Carneiros and the rest to enjoy the natural pools as the tide allows. The most popular tours depend on low tide, and a few spare days in your itinerary help you fit them in.
Maragogi has the widest choice of hotels, resorts and tours, and sits in the middle of the coast. São Miguel dos Milagres and Porto de Pedras have the boutique pousadas, quieter and more expensive. On the Pernambuco side, Tamandaré is the base for Praia dos Carneiros. If you want to see both states, you can split your stay between Maragogi and Tamandaré.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
They are natural pools formed by coral reefs about 6 km off the coast, reached by catamaran or speedboat. At low tide, the water is shallow and clear, and you can snorkel among the fish. Visits have a daily limit on people and a schedule set by the tide.
The natural pools only appear at low tide, and the best days are those with the lowest tides, around the full and new moons. The times change every day, and boats leave according to the tide table. So check the table before booking tours and leave free days in your itinerary.
On the Rio Tatuamunha, in Porto de Pedras, home to the base of the Projeto Peixe-Boi (Manatee Project). The trip is made on a rowed jangada, with no motor, so as not to scare the animals, and the number of visitors is controlled. You can see manatees in rehabilitation and, sometimes, the ones that already live free in the river.
It helps, because the beaches are spread along the AL-101 and the PE-060, and public transportation is limited. Without a car, you can book transfers from Maceió and Recife and take tours with agencies and buggy drivers, who pick you up at your pousada.
Pernambuco, in the municipality of Tamandaré, about 100 km from Recife. It is known for its calm water, coconut groves and the Church of São Benedito, a chapel by the sea. You can visit it on a catamaran trip from Tamandaré or on a day trip from Maragogi.
