Maragogi

A beach resort on the north coast of Alagoas. At low tide, boats take visitors to snorkel in the natural pools of the Galés reef offshore, and the palm-lined beaches of Antunes to the north are the most beautiful.

Maragogi lies on the north coast of Alagoas state in northeastern Brazil, between Maceió (about 125 km south) and Recife (about 130 km north). It sits within the Costa dos Corais Environmental Protection Area, Brazil's largest coastal coral reef reserve. Its most famous attraction is the Galés coral reef, about 6 km offshore. At low tide, crystal-clear natural pools appear among the reef rocks, and a catamaran snorkeling trip is the first activity for nearly every visitor. For a quieter alternative, the Taocas pools in the open sea off Barra Grande, to the north, see fewer people.

The coastal highway AL-101 links a string of palm-lined beaches. Heading north are Barra Grande, Antunes, Ponta de Mangue, and Peroba. Heading south are São Bento and Japaratinga. Farther south is the tranquil Milagres Eco Route, including Porto de Pedras and São Miguel dos Milagres.

The climate is hot all year. The dry season, Sep–Mar, brings plenty of sunshine and the clearest water. Apr–Jul is rainy, and boat trips are canceled when seas are rough. Boat trips depend entirely on the tides, so check a tide table before booking your hotel, and choose days when the tide is below 0.4 m.

Transport: most visitors arrive from Maceió airport by hired car or minivan, about 2.5 hours. You can also come from Recife and travel south via Porto de Galinhas. The town has a bus station with frequent minivans north and south, and taxis and rental cars are also available. Plan to stay 2–3 nights: one day for reef snorkeling, one day for the northern beaches, and one day heading south to Japaratinga or the Milagres Coast.

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