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Tamandaré on the south coast of Permanbuco is a small municipality with just over 20,000 inhabitants.

In addition to the beaches, the region offers adventure sports, tours and good cuisine.

In Tamandaré are the most deserted beaches of the south coast of Pernambuco, with calm sea, white sand and natural pools.

Named Costa dos Arrecifes (Reef Coast) due to the successive reefs that dot it, this stretch of coastline comprises the beaches of southern Pernambuco in the direction Recife – Maceió – from the city of Cabo de Santo Agostinho, where the port of Suape is located, to Tamandaré, near Alagoas, with main access via PE-060.

The best beaches are Gaibu, Calhetas, Pedra do Xaréu and Camboa, in Cabo de Santo Agostinho, by PE-028; Muro Alto, Cupe, da Vila and Maracaípe, in Porto de Galinhas, by PE-038; and praia dos Carneiros and Tamandaré beach, in Tamandaré, by PE-076.

You can get to know them in quick trips from Recife, since the most distant beach on the route is about 100 kilometres away.

Another possibility is to stay for a few days in Cabo de Santo Agostinho or in Porto de Galinhas, both with infrastructure of inns, hotels and resorts.

View the map of Pernambuco

View the map of the south coast of Pernambuco

The Costa dos Arrecifes alternates between busy and quieter places and offers various types of leisure: diving in coral pools, hiking, buggy rides, surfing and water sports.

TURISM POINTS OF TAMANDARÉ

The village of Tamandaré became a municipality less than a decade ago. Its coastline consists of 16 kilometres of very blue sea beaches, generally less crowded than those of Porto de Galinhas; at the same time, it has a much more precarious offer of hotels and restaurants.

Six beaches divide the attention of visitors: Boca da Barra, Tamandaré Bay, Pontal do Lira, Tamandaré Beach – the most popular -, Campas Beach and Carneiros Beach – the last, one of the most beautiful and still little explored.

Inserted in a federal environmental preservation area, Tamandaré has one of the largest areas of Atlantic forest in the region, the important Saltinho Biological Reserve, where the Bulha waterfall is located, with a waterfall of 10 metres.

Among the historical attractions are the chapel of Santo Inácio, dating from 1780, and the Fort of Santo Inácio, dating from 1691, as well as a bust of Admiral Tamandaré, patron of the Brazilian Navy, who spent a short period in the place.

Tamandaré can be reached from Recife via PE-060 and then PE-076.

1. chapel of saint blessed

The small and friendly Chapel of São Benedito, built in 1910, painted white with green details, stands out amidst the immense coconut grove of the beach.

The simplicity of its architecture, combined with the beauty of the place, never allows anyone to leave without taking at least one photograph as a souvenir. The coconut tree trunks, in a row, stuck in the sands in front of the church, serve as protection against the force of the high tide.

2. IGREJA DE SÃO PEDRO

The Church of St Peter or Igreja de São Pedro is located by the sea, between holiday homes, on Praia das Campas.

Its building, with Baroque architecture, dates from the 19th century. It has a bell tower and a front staircase that leads directly to the sands of the beach.

When the tide rises, access is only possible through the back of the church, as the sea invades its stairs.

A few years ago it was restored, but masses only take place on special occasions. It is very popular for weddings, which when held on a full moon night usually leave the guests enchanted already on arrival at the church.

3. FORT SANTO INÁCIO DE LOYOLA

The Fort of Santo Inácio de Loyola or Tamandaré Fort, built in the 17th century, remodelled in the 18th and 19th centuries, but abandoned in recent decades, is brand new and ready to be reopened to the public.

Located in Tamandaré, a municipality on the south coast of Pernambuco, the historic building has been restored to take on other functions. Instead of defending the coast, as it did in the past, the Tamandaré Fort is now a tourist and cultural centre.

The fortress will be occupied by soldiers.

Barracks that once housed soldiers will be occupied by shops selling handicrafts produced in Tamandaré. The prisoners’ cell and the guardhouse will be used as a museum.

And the commander’s house, on the first floor, has been adapted to house a restaurant or café, chosen by tender.

Traces of the old construction are now visible in parts of the fort – windows, portals, walls, ruins, stone floors – as a historical reminder of the building.

The fort is now a museum.

In the commander’s house, visitors will be able to see nails from the time in a portal and the mechanism used to close doors and windows.

The fort is a historic site.

The gunpowder house retains its ruined condition, consolidated in the restored fortification. A stone cooker used by soldiers has been reconstructed in one of the rooms of the Fort of Tamandaré, listed as a state monument.

The gunpowder house has been restored.

4. TAMANDARÉ BEACHES

4.1 TAMANDARÉ BEACH

At low tide, the 16 kilometres of beach with reefs form natural pools of clear water and great for swimming. Some popular beach huts are located on the edge of this beach and on Rua São José.

A wall of natural reefs rises after a distance of 200 metres. In the area to the right, the construction of Fort St Ignatius of Loyola from 1691 can be seen. It is between the beaches of Pontal do Lira and Campas.

4.2 PONTAL DO LIRA BEACH

Small, it is only 1 km long, but that does not diminish its beauty at all. It is home to numerous sumptuous coconut palms and a sea with coral reefs that make for good bathing. Here you will find the Santo Inácio Fort and Lighthouse. It is north of Tamandaré Beach.

4.3 BOCA DA BARRA BEACH

Here you can see the beautiful meeting of the ocean and the Mamucambas River between mangroves and sandbanks.

The privilege of opting for fresh or salt water baths can be put into practice on this beach suitable for relaxing baths. There are 2.5 kilometres of pleasant beach with a reef coast.

Some water sports can be done in the calm waters of the river. It has restricted access for cars.

4.4 BARRA DE SIRINHAÉM BEACH

On the outskirts, in the municipality of Sirinhaém is this beach that approaches the island of Santo Aleixo.

The waters are clear and delicious. Boats colour the high seas. Holiday homes and bars line the shore.

See the The beauty of Santo Aleixo Island in the municipality of Sirinhaém.

4.5 GUADALUPE BEACH

Cliffs and coconut palms are present on this beach bringing more beauty to the landscape.

From here, you can appreciate the meeting of the sea and the Rio Formoso. Rustic boat trips depart for the famous Carneiros Beach.

4.6 GAMELA BEACH

Native vegetation and fishermen’s houses make up the bucolic setting of Gamela Beach.

Coves with calm waves stand out in the region, making the look exuberant. It remains deserted most of the time.

4.7 GUAIAMUM BEACH

Deserted, it has immense coconut trees that protect the natural beauty and the rough sea that, at low tide, become favourable for bathing in the natural pools.

Tamandaré Tourism and Travel Guide in Pernambuco