Porto de Galinhas beaches: from north to south

A comparison of Ipojuca's beaches, from Muro Alto to Toquinho: what the sea is like, who each one suits and when to go.

Updated on October 5, 2026 ✓ Information checked on October 5, 2026 adapted from the Portuguese original

“Porto de Galinhas” is the name of the village and its main beach, but visitors use it for the whole coast of Ipojuca, the municipality the village belongs to. The beaches are very different from one another: some are sheltered by reefs, others face the open sea and its waves. Picking the right one for each day makes a difference.

North to south comparison

Beach	Area	What the sea is like	Best for
Camboa	North	Next to Muro Alto, few facilities	Peace and quiet, people already in Muro Alto
Muro Alto	North	A reef wall forms the largest natural pool in the area (about 3 km)	Calm swimming, kids, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding
Cupe	North	Long stretch of sand, some reef areas	Walking, swimming at low tide
Merepe	North	Between Cupe and the village, quieter	People staying in the area
Porto de Galinhas	Center	Natural pools in the reefs off the village	Jangada rides, snorkeling, facilities
Maracaípe	South	Open sea with waves	Surfing, bodyboarding
Pontal de Maracaípe	South	Where the river meets the sea, mangroves	Seahorses, sunset
Serrambi	South	Open-sea and reef stretches	Peace and quiet, pools at low tide
Ponta de Serrambi	South	A headland with reefs on one side and open sea on the other	Scenery, low tide
Enseadinha	South	Small cove inside a gated development	Seclusion seekers (bring ID)
Toquinho	South	Long stretch with rocks	Calm, the end of the line in Ipojuca

These are general profiles. The sea changes with the tide, the wind and the season. Before going in, check the flags and ask the lifeguards.

North: Muro Alto, Camboa, Cupe and Merepe

Muro Alto Beach is the star of the north and, for many people, the reason for the trip. Ipojuca City Hall describes a wall of reefs that surrounds almost the whole beach and forms a huge natural pool of calm, warm water; Wikipedia gives the beach a length of about 3 km. It lies about 9 km north of the center of Porto de Galinhas and is home to large resorts, many with day-use passes. If you plan to stay there, see where to stay in Muro Alto.

Right next to Muro Alto, Camboa Beach is served by the same road and has few facilities. In 2026, a court ordered the City Hall to guarantee public access to both beaches.

Cupe Beach and Merepe Beach lie between Muro Alto and the village. They are good for walking and for anyone who wants less bustle than in the center.

Center: the village beach

Porto de Galinhas Beach has the most facilities and the famous natural pools, reached by jangada (a traditional wooden sailboat). The City Hall reports water at around 27 °C all year and recommends going at low tide, preferably in the morning.

South: Maracaípe, the Pontal, Serrambi, Enseadinha and Toquinho

Maracaípe Beach is about 3 km south of the village. It is the beach for waves, recognized in national and international surfing according to the City Hall. Further south, Pontal de Maracaípe brings together mangroves, the river and the boat trip to see seahorses. In 2017, the City Hall created a Municipal Natural Park there covering just over 15 hectares of mangrove, according to Folha de Pernambuco.

Then come Serrambi and Toquinho, quieter and with gated residential areas. They suit travelers looking for peace and quiet. Between the two, Ponta de Serrambi splits the shore into a reef side and an open-sea side, and on its far side lies the small Enseadinha Beach, inside a gated development with a gatehouse: bring ID.

See the 9 beaches and attractions in this guide with a verified location on the map.

The map uses OpenStreetMap and only loads after you click; once loaded, your browser connects to OpenStreetMap servers.

Beach
Natural pools
Village
Highlights

North coast of Ipojuca

Porto de Galinhas village

South coast of Ipojuca

Locations from OpenStreetMap and Wikipedia (source shown on each page). Places without a confirmed coordinate are left off the map.

How to choose by the tide

Low tide: head for the reefs. The village pools, Muro Alto and the reef stretches of Serrambi.
High tide: choose open beaches for walking, or the Pontal in the late afternoon.
Wave days: Maracaípe is for surfers. If you lack experience, stay near the shore and follow the lifeguards.

Official times come from the Brazilian Navy tide tables for the Port of Suape. See how to use them in the tide table.

Beyond Ipojuca

Want to go further? To the north, in Cabo de Santo Agostinho, are Calhetas, Gaibu, Suape, Itapuama and Paiva; in Recife, Boa Viagem. To the south, Barra de Sirinhaém, Guadalupe, Carneiros, Tamandaré, São José da Coroa Grande and, across the state line in Alagoas, Maragogi. The comparison is in beaches near Porto de Galinhas. To decide where to stay based on the beach, see where to stay.

Attractions mentioned

Beaches

In this section

Beaches near Porto de Galinhas The beaches outside Ipojuca that are worth a trip: to the south, from Sirinhaém to Maragogi; to the north, Cabo de Santo Agostinho and Boa Viagem, in Recife. Read guide

Frequently asked questions

Which Porto de Galinhas beach is best for kids?

Beaches sheltered by reefs, such as Muro Alto, usually have calmer water. Ipojuca City Hall describes Muro Alto as a large natural pool of calm water. Even so, keep an eye on the tide and follow the lifeguards' instructions.

Which beach is best for surfing?

Maracaípe. Ipojuca City Hall presents it as one of the best surfing beaches in Brazil, with a strong track record in competitions.

Where can I watch the sunset?

At Pontal de Maracaípe, where the river meets the sea. The City Hall describes late afternoon there as a gathering point for locals and visitors.

Are the Porto de Galinhas beaches far apart?

According to the City Hall, Muro Alto is about 9 km north of the center of Porto de Galinhas and Maracaípe about 3 km south. The others lie along the same stretch of coast.

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