Itineraries
6-day Porto de Galinhas itinerary
Six unhurried days: an island trip, a morning of diving, a surf lesson and plenty of time to go back to your favorite beach.
Updated on October 5, 2026 ✓ Information checked on October 5, 2026 adapted from the Portuguese original
Six days let you travel slowly. This itinerary swaps back-to-back tours for one big outing, a morning of diving and a surf lesson, with a free day in the middle. It is good for couples and for anyone who wants a proper rest.
Overview
| Day | Theme | Tide |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A slow arrival | Does not matter |
| 2 | Natural pools and a restful afternoon | Low in the morning |
| 3 | Santo Aleixo Island | Confirm with the operator |
| 4 | Diving and Muro Alto | Low tide helps for snorkeling |
| 5 | Free day | Does not matter |
| 6 | Surf lesson, the Pontal and departure via Recife | Does not matter |
Day 1: arrival
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Afternoon | Arrival and a swim at the main beach |
| Evening | Dinner and a stroll around the village |
No plans. Use the evening to look at the tide table for the coming days and confirm which morning is best for the pools.
Day 2: pools and rest
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | Jangada (traditional raft boat) to the natural pools at low tide |
| Afternoon | Rest at your accommodation or on the sand |
| Evening | Free |
Ipojuca City Hall (Ipojuca is the municipality Porto de Galinhas belongs to) recommends low tide, preferably in the morning, and asks you not to touch the coral or feed the fish. With six days, you do not need to squeeze anything into this afternoon.
Day 3: Santo Aleixo Island
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | Leave for Sirinhaém and cross by boat |
| Afternoon | Swimming and walking on the island |
| Late afternoon | Head back |
Santo Aleixo Island covers just over 30 hectares, is privately owned and lies inside the Guadalupe Environmental Protection Area, according to Wikipedia. There are no permanent tourist facilities. Bring water, sunscreen and a bag for your trash. Ask the operator about current visiting rules.
Day 4: diving and Muro Alto
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | Snorkeling or a try dive with a dive operator |
| Afternoon | Muro Alto Beach: kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding |
| Evening | Dinner in the village |
If you are certified, swap the try dive for a wreck dive off Serrambi, at around 30 meters. Read diving in Porto de Galinhas first. Muro Alto, with the wall of reefs described by the city hall, is to the north and has calm water.
Day 5: free day
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | Backup for the pools, if day 2 fell through |
| Afternoon | Your favorite beach, shopping or the Ipojuca historic center |
| Evening | Nightlife in the village |
A day without a plan is part of the plan. It absorbs rain, murky water and tiredness. For the evening, see Porto de Galinhas nightlife.
Day 6: surfing and departure
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | Surf lesson in Maracaípe |
| Lunch | Pontal de Maracaípe |
| Afternoon | Leave for Recife, with a stop in Old Recife if your flight is in the evening |
Maracaípe has waves sought after by surfers, according to the city hall. Choose a lesson with an experienced instructor and suitable sea conditions. Details in surfing in Maracaípe. If you have time before your flight, Marco Zero, in Old Recife, makes for a last walk.
Who this itinerary is for
This plan works for travelers who already know reef beaches and want a slower pace, for couples on a restful trip and for anyone who wants to try diving or surfing for the first time. If you prefer to see as many places as possible, look at the 7-day itinerary. If you are traveling with young children, you can swap the surf lesson for a morning at Muro Alto.
Adjusting to the tide and weather
| Situation | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Low tide only in the afternoon on day 2 | Rest in the morning, pools in the afternoon |
| Rough sea on the Santo Aleixo day | Swap it with the free day |
| Heavy rain | Use the free day for the Recife and Olinda day trip |
The official tide forecast is the Brazilian Navy’s for Porto de Suape.
A full week?
The 7-day itinerary combines Carneiros and Recife with Olinda in the same plan.
Attractions mentioned
-
Tour Surroundings Santo Aleixo Island A small private island off the coast of Sirinhaém, south of Ipojuca, with beaches and a cove of natural pools. Access by boat from Barra de Sirinhaém. See details -
Free accessKidsTide-dependent Beach North coast of Ipojuca Muro Alto Beach The wall of reefs that gives the beach its name holds back the waves and creates a natural pool of calm, warm water about 3 km long. It is the reason many people make the trip. See details -
Free access Beach South coast of Ipojuca Maracaípe Beach The surf beach of Porto de Galinhas, about 3 km south of the village. At its southern end is the Pontal, where the river meets the sea. See details
Frequently asked questions
Is Santo Aleixo worth a full day?
It is usually sold as a full-day trip, with a boat crossing. The island is privately owned and lies in Sirinhaém, about 2 km off the coast. Confirm with the operator what is included.
Can someone who has never dived do the diving day?
Yes, by snorkeling in the pools or doing a try dive with an instructor. Deep wrecks are for certified divers only.
What should I do on the free day?
Go back to the beach you liked best, or keep the day as a backup for a low-tide morning that fell through because of rain or murky water.
Keep reading
Keep planning
-
7-day Porto de Galinhas itinerary A full week: all of Ipojuca's beaches, two day trips and spare time for the tide and the weather. Read guide -
5-day Porto de Galinhas itinerary Five days with two highlights: the village pools and a full day at Carneiros, plus southern Ipojuca by buggy. Read guide -
Diving in Porto de Galinhas: snorkeling, try dives and wrecks From snorkeling in the village pools to scuba diving on shipwrecks: what there is, who it suits and how to do it safely. Read guide