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Santo Aleixo Island, located in the municipality of Sirinhaém, Pernambuco, is a paradisiacal tourist destination on the northeastern coast of Brazil.
The Island is located right between the famous and popular beaches of Porto de Galinhas, in Ipojuca, and the Carneiros, in Tamandaré.
Santo Aleixo Island is shaped slightly like a horseshoe. To the west there is a sandy beach, while to the south there is a cove protected by rocky cliffs and a beach with a large open pool of calm, warm, transparent, greenish waters, known as Praia da Ferradura.
Santo Aleixo Island is 31 hectares in size and is made up of volcanic rocks originally covered in shrubby coastal vegetation.
The island is privately owned and belongs to the municipality of Sirinhaém, located between Porto de Galinhas and Praias dos Carneiros. You can go on your own, as we did, or take a round trip excursion from one of these towns.
It can be reached by speedboat in about 10 minutes. Visitors can also take an ecological trail to get to know it and have a swim in the natural pools. On the island’s beach there are structures to accommodate visitors with lunches, snacks and drinks.
As it is an environmentally preserved island, there are no toilets.
Video about Santo Aleixo Island
Ilha de Santo Aleixo em Sirinhaém
What to do on Santo Aleixo Island:
- Beaches and Natural Pools: The island has beaches and natural pools that appear during low tide.
- Diving and Snorkelling: The crystal-clear waters and rich marine life make the island an excellent place for diving and snorkelling. You can see corals, colourful fish and even sea turtles.
- Boat Trips: The boat trip to the island is a separate attraction. Most tourists leave from Barra de Sirinhaém beach, where there are several options for boats that offer the trip with stops at natural pools and other tourist attractions in the region.
Useful Tips:
- Access: Access to the island is exclusively by boat, usually leaving from Barra de Sirinhaém, and the journey time is approximately 10 to 20 minutes.
- Best time to visit: The best time to visit the island is during the dry season, between September and February, when the weather is more stable and the waters are calmer.
- Infrastructure: The island doesn’t have a very developed tourist infrastructure, so it’s recommended to bring basic items such as water, sun cream and snacks.
Santo Aleixo Island is a natural refuge, ideal for those looking for a day of relaxation in breathtaking scenery.
