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Fernando de Noronha and the Pernambuco coastline are famous for their stunning beaches.

Pernambuco is one of the most exuberant and expressive states of the Northeast, not only because of the beauty of its beaches, as you may have noticed, but also because of its strong culture.

The colonization of Europeans created some cultural marks that can be seen in the cuisine, architecture and, mainly, in music, in regional rhythms, such as maracatu, xote and baião, in addition to manguebeat, a counterculture movement.

The beaches of Pernambuco and Fernando de Noronha are a very important attraction and exerts, a great influence on tourism in the region, drawing the attention of thousands of people with its exuberant blue or greenish waters, its pleasant climate, as well as diverse environments and with several options for you to choose and enjoy.

Best Beaches in Pernambuco and Fernando de Noronha

7 melhores praias do litoral de Pernambuco

1. Beaches and Pools in the Municipality of São José da Coroa Grande

São José da Coroa Grande is a municipality on the south coast of Pernambuco, Brazil. It is located 114km from the capital of Pernambuco, “Recife”.

The beaches of the municipality of São José da Coroa Grande are located on the well-known coral coast.

They are extensive beaches full of reefs, where the famous natural pools are formed, visited by thousands of tourists throughout the year.

One of the main attractions of the entire municipality are the beaches of fine sand and calm waters, ideal for bathing and practicing all kinds of water sports.

One of the best known is Praia da Coroa Grande, the main beach in the municipality, without forgetting Praia de Várzea do Una, home of the Pernambuco Surf Circuit, as well as numerous local competitions.

It is the main beach in the municipality of São José da Coroa Grande, its name comes from the famous ‘Coroas’, rock formations that appear at low tides forming wonderful natural pools.

Also noteworthy are the sandbanks that form shallow lagoons. This beach is typical of raft trips that some companies make to the natural pools located approximately 500 meters from its shores.

1.2. Praia do Gravatá

White sand beach, calm waters and coconut trees. It is accessed through a path that starts from the village of Abreu do Una. Gravatá beach is located in the district of Abreu do Una.

In the past, sugar was transported from the Central Barreiros Mill to the Port of Gravatá by locomotive.

At the port, the barges that transported sugar to Recife and, from there, to Rio de Janeiro anchored.

2. Coroa do Avião Island in Igarassu

Coroa do Avião is an islet located in the municipality of Igarassu in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco. Approximately 560 meters long by 80 m wide, it is basically a sandbank (croa) covered with vegetation and some buildings.

The island has scenery and sunsets that attract tourists, and there are seven tourist huts on site where there are rustic restaurants serving mostly seafood.

Access to the island is by small motorized rafts. However, when the tide is low, there is the possibility of walking to Mangue Seco beach on the mainland, as well as snorkeling.

3. Atalaia Beach in Fernando de Noronha

The Praia do Atalaia is located in the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha.

Protected by reefs, it forms a natural pool at low tide, one of Noronha’s main marine nurseries.

The Chico Mendes Institute controls access, possible only with an accredited guide.

The use of sunscreen is expressly forbidden, and each class can only stay 30 minutes diving. Mask and snorkel are essential. Access via a half-hour trail from Vila do Trinta.

4. Porto de Galinhas in the municipality of Ipojuca

Porto de Galinhas is one of the most famous beaches in the Northeast and much of its fame is due to the immense set of reefs that is close to the shore.

Porto de Galinhas is a district of the municipality of Ipojuca, located in the state of Pernambuco, about 50 km from the capital Recife, the former fishing village has a pleasant and warm climate during most of the year.

The place was called Porto Rico, due to its abundance in Pau Brasil.

At the height of slavery in the country, it was the main trading point for slaves, who often arrived hidden under crates of D’Angola chickens.

The arrival of illegal slaves at the port used to be announced by the phrase ‘There is a new chicken in the port’ and for this reason, the place came to be known as Porto de Galinhas.

4.1. Natural Pools

The raft ride through the natural pools is one of the main attractions of Porto de Galinhas. The paradisiacal landscape with blue and calm waters, allows you to observe the fish and makes the experience unforgettable.

To be able to see the fish and corals exposed and walk through the reefs it is important that the tide is low. So, take note of the tip to keep an eye on the Tide Table and choose the best day and time to ensure an even more perfect tour.

The Tide Table is a table available on the Navy website, which shows the data regarding the movement that the tide over the day. Tip to be easier that I learned on the trip, go on the New Moon or Full Moon, these moons the tides are great for walks and photos with the little fish.

4.2. Buggy ride

A good choice to get to know the beaches of Porto de Galinhas is to take the Buggy Tour that runs along the entire coastline from end to end;

The classic tour can be done by sand or paved roads and passes by the beaches of Muro Alto (warm, shallow and crystal clear waters), Maracaípe (surf and kitesurf point), Pontal de Maracaípe (where the waters of the Maracaípe River meet the sea), Cupe (calm and quiet sea) and Camboa (quiet and little visited).

5. Praia dos Carneiros in the municipality of Tamandaré

Those who visit Porto de Galinhas, have the option of taking a stretch to Praia dos Carneiros which is about 50 km away, in the municipality of Tamandaré.

The place has a charming landscape and the beach is formed from the meeting of the waters of the Rio Formoso with the sea.

The place has as its postcard the Church of São Benedito, built at the end of the 17th century and known as the ‘Igrejinha dos Carneirinhos’, where baptisms and weddings are still celebrated.

The beach also has delicious natural pools where you can relax and dive with the little fish.

In the neighboring Guadalupe Beach, there is the famous clay bath, where the clays are separated by color in buckets, available to tourists who want to experience a ‘rejuvenating’ bath.

The Bora Bora, the most famous restaurant and support point. It is also possible to take private catamaran or speedboat trips. With stops at Guadalupe Beach, where it is possible to do a clay bath, and in the natural pools in the estuary of the Rio Formoso.

6. Baía dos Porcos – Bay of Pigs

The Baia dos Porcos is located in the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha.

The black volcanic rocks contrast with the emerald green of the water. The aratus are everywhere, as well as the infinity of fish that can be found in snorkeling. The beach also has a privileged view of Morro Dois Irmãos.

The Bay of Pigs is one of the best places for snorkeling in the Park during the period without waves. The site has a small strip of sand and is surrounded by extremely jagged rock formations, which favors the concentration of fish and the activity of floating.

The Bay of Pigs is the best place to snorkel in the Park during the period without waves.

Access is via a trail from the beach of Cacimba do Padre.

Access is via a trail from the beach of Cacimba do Padre.

At the end of the beach, only at low tide, a natural pool is formed to which access is not allowed due to the fragility of the organisms that live there.

7. Sancho Beach

The Praia do Sancho is located in the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha.

In addition to the enchanting landscape, Sancho Bay is also home to coral banks and a rich marine fauna, which can be admired on snorkeling dives or boat trips, with the company of dolphins next to the vessel.

To reach the sand, you have to descend a narrow staircase into a crevice and face a long sequence of steps – but it’s worth the effort.

“You walk along a small path and you can’t imagine what awaits you. A heavenly landscape that looks like a mirage”, wrote one of the users.

Best beaches on the coast of Pernambuco and Fernando de Noronha