São José da Coroa Grande Beach

São José da Coroa Grande Beach is in the municipality of the same name, at the far southern tip of Pernambuco, outside Ipojuca (the municipality Porto de Galinhas belongs to). According to Wikipedia, it is the last town in Pernambuco before the border with Alagoas, next to Maragogi. From Porto de Galinhas it is a long trip, which makes sense on longer stays or if you are heading on to Alagoas.

What it is

The town’s name explains the landscape. According to Wikipedia, it comes from the coroas that emerge at low tide, the sandbanks between the shore and the coral. The place’s old name was Puiraçu, from the Tupi language. The municipality was created in 1958 and is crossed by the Una River, the Meireles stream and the Persinunga River.

At low tide, the strip between the sand and the reefs forms natural pools. A 2016 TNH1 report describes boat trips to these pools and, at high tide, trips through the mangrove of the Una River. Prices and operators change over time; confirm everything locally.

Where it is and how to get there

According to Wikipedia, São José da Coroa Grande is about 114 km from Recife, with Barreiros to the north and west, the ocean to the east and Maragogi (Alagoas) to the south. The distance and travel time from Porto de Galinhas have not been confirmed by an official source. The route heads south along the coast, past Tamandaré. Check the route in your maps app on the day.

See the overview of beaches outside the village in beaches near Porto de Galinhas and the trip options in Porto de Galinhas tours.

When to go

Here the tide is the main factor: the sandbars and pools only appear at low tide. Use the Porto de Galinhas tide table as a reference, bearing in mind that times can vary slightly along the coast; confirm with the tour operator on site. Choose days with little rain, when the water is clearer.

Who it suits

• People who want natural pools away from the Porto de Galinhas crowds.
• Travelers heading on to Alagoas who can stop on the way.
• Families: the water between the beach and the reefs is usually shallow at low tide, but the boat crossing calls for life jackets and care.

Environmental and safety tips

The São José da Coroa Grande coast lies inside the Costa dos Corais Environmental Protection Area, Brazil’s largest coastal marine protected area, managed by ICMBio (Brazil’s federal conservation agency), running from Tamandaré (Pernambuco) to Maceió (Alagoas). On the reserve’s page, ICMBio keeps information on the attractions and the authorized service providers.

• Do not feed the fish; the TNH1 report notes this guidance at the local pools.
• Do not step on the coral and do not take animals or shells.
• Only take trips on licensed boats, with life jackets.
• There is no official information on lifeguards at the beach; keep children close.

How to fit it into your itinerary

Given the distance, São José da Coroa Grande needs a full day and an early start to catch the morning low tide. It makes most sense from the fifth day on, after Carneiros and Tamandaré. See the 7-day itinerary.