Santo Aleixo Island

Santo Aleixo is a small island on the southern coast of Pernambuco, in the municipality of Sirinhaém, outside Ipojuca (the municipality Porto de Galinhas belongs to). According to Wikipedia, it lies about 2 km east of Barra de Sirinhaém, between Porto de Galinhas and Carneiros Beach. It is a full-day trip if you are staying in Porto de Galinhas.

What the island is like

According to Wikipedia, the island covers about 30 hectares, is horseshoe-shaped, with rocks of volcanic origin and coconut palms. It is privately owned and has no permanent residents. There are three main swimming areas:

• Praia dos Pernambucanos, to the southwest, the most visited, with bars;
• Praia da Holanda, to the northeast, reached by a short trail;
• Enseada Espanha e França, a sheltered cove with natural pools.

The water is usually clear, which draws people who enjoy snorkeling.

A little history

Wikipedia records old episodes linked to the island: the shipwreck of Spanish navigator Rodrigo de Acuña in 1527, a French invasion in 1531, when the place was called “île Saint-Alexis”, and a Dutch privateer base in 1687. This comes from a medium-reliability source and is useful as background.

How to get there

The most common route from Porto de Galinhas has two stages:

1. by road to Barra de Sirinhaém, south of Ipojuca;
2. by boat from Barra de Sirinhaém to the island, a short crossing.

Local agencies and operators sell the full trip, with transfer and boat. Prices, departure times and time on the island vary by operator and were not found in any official source. Compare options and confirm what is included. More ideas for outings from the village in Porto de Galinhas tours.

Protected area

The island is in the Guadalupe Environmental Protection Area (APA de Guadalupe), created by State Decree 19,635/1997 and managed by the state environmental agency CPRH. The protected area spans parts of Sirinhaém, Rio Formoso, Tamandaré and Barreiros, with more than 32,000 hectares on land and about 12,600 hectares at sea. The sea in the region is also part of the Serrambi Reefs Marine Environmental Protection Area. According to Wikipedia, since 2015 a civil society organization has worked with Ibama, SPU and CPRH (federal and state agencies) on conservation efforts for the island.

Who it suits

• Travelers who already know Ipojuca’s beaches and want a different day out.
• Couples and groups who like quieter, more secluded beaches.
• Families: the sheltered cove helps, but the trip includes a boat ride; check that there are life jackets in children’s sizes.

Environmental and safety tips

• Insist on a life jacket on the boat and do not board if the sea is rough.
• Do not step on the reefs and do not feed the fish.
• Carry all your trash back: the island has no waste collection like the village.
• Respect private areas and the boat operator’s instructions.
• The cove is best with a calm sea and low tide; check the forecast beforehand.

How to fit it into your itinerary

Santo Aleixo takes a full day. It works best from your fourth day onward, after the main beaches. In the 5-day itinerary, it appears as a day trip.