Driving up the coast of Alagoas - Maragogi
Maragogi is a beautiful resort town with unbelievable hidden gems to the North and South. The Maragogi beach circuit runs from the South point of Japartinga to the North point of Antunes. Maragogi is one of the most popular destinations is Alagoas. It is equally distant from Maceió and Recife. Do not miss the Caminho de Moises (Walk of Moses) and Antunes beach.
Maragogi experiences hot temperatures and high humidity all year round. The average temperature is 21-32 C (74-96 F) so it's best to plan for a lot of swimming!
Beaches South of Maragogi
Japartinga is the Southernmost beach and the location of the balsa station for crossing the Manguaba River to Porto das Pedras on the Ecological Route.
As you drive North notice the beautiful sandstone cliffs at Praia do Boquierão.
Further up the road is Mirante Aruaña just before Praia de Japaratinga. This is a popular place to watch the sunset and grab a beer or a snack at the bar.
Praia São Bento and Praia do Camacho are famous for the croa de são bento natural pools located off the shore. Jangadas take guests out to the natural pools at low tide (check the tide tables here). Both beaches boast expansive sand bars best experienced at low tide.
Downtown Maragogi
Praia de Maragogi is the crown jewel of Alagoas. The orla (boardwalk) has many restaurants, shops and tourism vendors.
At low tide the water recedes and reveals an expansive shore line.The beach becomes active with people playing futevolei, volleyball and riding bicycles in the sand. You can bike or walk North until the mouth of the river at Praia Bargalhau. If you arrive at low tide you can swim across the river and continue to walk.
Maragogi's main attraction is the Gales tropical pools that form at low tide (check the tide tables here). Jangadeiros wait on the boardwalk and arrange private or group tours to the Gales pools. Many vendors sell plastic phone holders on the boardwalk and it would not hurt to grab one for your trip ($10 RS).
The boats - catamarans and schooners
15 minute ride from the shore to the Piscinas Naturais
Swimming time is 1.5-2 hours
Private schooner - $50 RS per person
Mask and snorkel fee - $15 RS per person
No food and drink boat vendors
There are guides for hire who take your picture with the yellow fish
*Pro Tip: we went out on a Monday and this meant less people
The Maragogi Gales was my third trip to natural pools in the State of Alagoas (Maceió was the first, São Miguel dos Milagres was the second). The natural pools in Maragogi are the largest of the three.
Pontal do Maragogi is a beach club just North of the Maragogi boardwalk. They offer day passes for $30 RS per person that include: hammocks, swimming pools, beachfront access, bars and restaurants (at extra charge), changing facilities, showers, air-conditioned bathrooms, and shops. They also offer two types of catamaran tours (at extra charge). Reservations for the day pass and the tours can be made in advance on their website.
Beaches North of Maragogi
Walk of Moses (Caminho de Moises) is a sandbar walk in Barra Grande. This is a 12 minute drive North from Maragogi. There is parking on the street leading up to the Walk of Moses with clear signage that says "Caminho de Moises".
The walk starts in front of the Receptivo Barra Mar Beach Club - easily spotted by colorful day beds and a staircase leading down to the beach. The tide MUST be low and the water almost nonexistent, so check the tide tables before you go (link here). The walk is 3 km long - it can get crowded. We walked to the end to get photos with less people. If you own a drone, this is the place to bring it out.
*Pro Tip: Make sure to start the walk with enough time to get back before the tide rises.
Praia de Antunes is a must see. Antunes is a 7 minute drive North of the Walk of Moses. On the drive to Antunes there is a big yellow sign that says "Accesso do Antunes" with a place to park across the street. After you park, walk for 5 minutes down a sandy path towards the beach.
There are restaurants in the sand, a self-service buffet, and vendors that sell clothes and other beach items. It is popular to take a picture with the famous wicker heart, but they will charge a small fee. I snapped a quick a photo because it felt a little too cheesy for me haha, but Brasilians love it!
Send me an email to discuss questions, clarifications or custom travel plans!
Check out my other posts for more Alagoas destinations...
Where to stay in Maragogi
The Maragogi beach boardwalk is best if you are looking to be central and part of the action. There are many hostels, pousadas, and Airbnb's with views of the boardwalk and Maragogi beach. The hostel we stayed in had good wifi!
Antunes has many posadas that are best if you are looking to be beachfront and more secluded.
I am happy to help you choose the right place!
I recommend 3 days to explore Maragogi and the surrounding areas.
Where to eat in Maragogi
Sensei burger
Russo Gastrobar
Praça de Alimentação offers a wide variety of food trucks - sushi, hot dogs, quentinhas, crepes and tapiocas.
Antunes beach vendors serve fresh meals on the beach
Where to exercise in Maragogi
Academia E3 Fitness is located close to the south end of the Maragogi boardwalk. This gym is clean and has a wide variety of new equipment. The day pass cost is $15 RS.
Rent bikes and take them on the beach. We had a nice bike ride from Maragogi beach to Antunes beach 15 km (9 miles) roundtrip.
How to get to Maragogi
Tour Companies
Tour companies in Recife make day trips to Maragogi. This could be an option for those who are short on time.
Car
From Maceió the drive to Maragogi is 2.5 hours North on AL-101. There will be an option to continue North on inland roads or to continue beachside through the Ecological Route.
From Recife the drive to Maragogi is 2.5 hours South.
The car allows for more flexibility when exploring the many beaches.
Map of all places listed
Maragogi Album
Drone shots by Jon Brierley
@jbfilminit
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