Maragogi
Coastal Town Inside The Costa Dos Corais Environmental Protection Area, Known For The GaléS, Natural Reef Pools Offshore · Maragogi, Alagoas
Maragogi is a beach town on the north coast of Alagoas, often marketed as the Brazilian Caribbean, and its draw lies out at sea. About six kilometres offshore, at low tide, the coral reefs of the Costa dos Corais emerge and trap shallow, clear, turquoise pools, the galés, where visitors swim and snorkel among fish over the reef. Catamarans carry groups out when the tide is right, and the number of visitors per day is limited to protect the reef. The Costa dos Corais is one of the largest coastal marine protected areas in Brazil. Onshore, the beaches are long, palm-lined and calm, with resorts along the coast. To the south, the Rota Ecológica dos Milagres is a quieter stretch of fishing villages and boutique pousadas, and the manatee project at Porto de Pedras is one of the few places to see the endangered Antillean manatee. The whole experience depends on the tides and the weather: on the wrong day the pools are cloudy or the boats do not go. It is mainly a Brazilian holiday coast.
Maragogi, AL, Maragogi, Alagoas, Brazil
Trips to the galés run only around low tide, so departure times change every day and some days have no good daylight low tide at all. The lower the tide, the better the pools; on days with a weak low tide the water is deeper and less clear, and some operators still sell trips. Boats are cancelled in bad weather and strong wind, sometimes the same morning. Daily visitor numbers at the reefs are capped to protect the coral, so in high season the trips sell out and the rule that ruins holidays is arriving for a short stay without booking - reserve a day or more ahead and keep a spare day in case of cancellation. Boats leave from the beach and return a few hours later. The manatee project at Porto de Pedras runs boat visits at set times that also depend on tide, and it is best early. Beaches are always open; beach kiosks mostly work in daytime. The coast road is slow and poorly lit, so plan transfers in daylight.