Calhetas Beach

Calhetas is a small cove in Cabo de Santo Agostinho, a municipality in the Recife metropolitan area, outside Ipojuca (the municipality that Porto de Galinhas belongs to). According to Wikipedia, it lies on the northern face of the cape that gives the city its name, surrounded by rocks and coconut palms, with warm, clear water. For travelers staying in Porto de Galinhas, it is one of the most popular stops on the coast to the north.

What it is

Wikipedia lists swimming, snorkeling and diving, spearfishing and a zip line as activities at Calhetas. English Wikipedia adds that the beach is popular with divers and has bars and restaurants. We do not name businesses or give prices: confirm everything on site.

The place also has historical weight. Wikipedia links the northern face of the Santo Agostinho cape to the arrival of Spanish navigator Vicente Yáñez Pinzón on January 26, 1500.

Calhetas sits next to the Armando de Holanda Cavalcanti Metropolitan Park. According to the firm Natureza Urbana, which designed a project for the park, it holds historic structures such as Forte Castelo do Mar and Bateria de Calhetas (an old gun battery). In 2023, the news site Movimento Econômico reported that the park covers 270 hectares, is managed by Suape (the state port authority) and was going through a concession process. Confirm what is open to visitors before you go.

Where it is and how to get there from Porto de Galinhas

Cabo de Santo Agostinho borders Ipojuca to the north, according to Wikipedia. Wikivoyage places the city about 40 km north of Porto de Galinhas and 45 km south of Recife. The exact distance to the cove was not confirmed by an official source.

The most practical way is by car, taxi or ride-hailing app, since the Cabo beaches are in the direction of the airport. See transport options in how to get to Porto de Galinhas and airport logistics in Recife airport to Porto de Galinhas.

When to go

The sources consulted do not point to a specific tide for Calhetas. For snorkeling with good visibility, choose days with a calm sea and no heavy rain. The Porto de Galinhas tide table uses the Porto de Suape station, next to Cabo, and is a good reference for timing.

On weekends and public holidays, the small cove tends to fill up. If you can, go on a weekday.

Who it suits

• Snorkelers who like water among rocks.
• Thrill-seekers looking for the zip line.
• Travelers arriving or leaving via Recife who want a beach on the way.
• Families with children: only with constant supervision, because of the rocks.

Environmental and safety tips

CEMIT, the Pernambuco state government committee that monitors shark incidents, defines a 33 km attention area between Farol Beach in Olinda and Paiva Beach in Cabo. Calhetas lies south of that stretch and is not included in it. Even so, the committee’s advice is a sensible rule: avoid swimming in open sea, at dawn and dusk, in murky or deep water, alone or after drinking.

• Do not step on or pull organisms off the rocks.
• Do not feed the fish.
• Watch out for slippery rocks when getting in and out of the water.
• Take your trash back with you.

How to fit it into your itinerary

Calhetas works as a half-day stop, as suggested in the guide to beaches near Porto de Galinhas. You can combine it with neighboring Gaibu Beach on the same day, or stop on your way to or from the airport. If you want a cultural day up north, see also the Recife and Olinda day trip.