beach · Tamandaré, PE
Praia dos Carneiros
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.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Praia dos Carneiros
Praia dos Carneiros (beach) is in Tamandaré, on the south coast of Pernambuco, where the Rio Formoso (river) meets the sea. It is a strip of sand with a dense coconut grove, calm water protected by reefs and, at the edge of the beach, the small Chapel of São Benedito, which has become the best-known image of the place.
The chapel was the oratory of an old farm in the region. Its construction date is uncertain: the most repeated version says the 18th century, but recent research points to the 19th century. It is small, with a white facade, and stands a few meters from the water. It was restored between 1999 and 2001 and today welcomes visitors and weddings.
At low tide, natural pools form over the reefs and sandbanks appear where the river meets the sea. The catamaran or speedboat trip on the Rio Formoso is the most common way to see it all: it usually stops at the pools, the chapel and a stretch of clay on the riverbank, where people take a clay bath. The sandbanks appear and disappear with the tide, and the landscape changes throughout the day.
The beach is surrounded by private properties, and access by land almost always goes through beach stalls, restaurants or beach clubs, which charge a minimum spend or day-use fee. Carneiros lies within the APA Costa dos Corais, the federal marine protection area that stretches from here to Maceió.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
A full day, if you plan to stay at the beach. The boat trip takes a few hours.
Best time
Low-tide days, for the natural pools and the sandbanks. On the Pernambuco coast the rains fall mostly in fall and winter; spring and summer usually have more sun.
How to get there
From downtown Tamandaré, by car, via the access road to the beach stalls, or by boat, on a trip leaving from Tamandaré or Rio Formoso.
Tip
Agree in advance with the beach stall on its minimum spend or day-use policy, and check the tide table so you arrive at low tide.
A look at the place
Praia dos Carneiros in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Praia dos Carneiros
Is Praia dos Carneiros a public beach?
The beach is public, but it is surrounded by private properties. Access by land almost always goes through beach stalls, restaurants or beach clubs that charge a minimum spend or day-use fee.
How does the boat trip work?
Catamarans and speedboats leave from Tamandaré or Rio Formoso and usually stop at the natural pools, the chapel and the stretch of clay on the riverbank.
What is the best tide?
Low tide, when the natural pools and sandbanks appear.
Can I visit the Chapel of São Benedito?
Yes. It is the old oratory of a farm, at the edge of the beach, and it also hosts weddings.