Porto de Galinhas tide table: how to read it and where to check

The main outing in Porto de Galinhas, the natural pools, depends on the tide. Ipojuca City Hall (Ipojuca is the municipality Porto de Galinhas belongs to) recommends visiting at low tide, preferably in the morning, and checking the tide table beforehand. This guide explains how to read the table and where to find the official forecast.

What a tide table is

A tide table is the day-by-day forecast of the times and heights of high and low tides at a reference port. In Brazil, the official forecast is produced by the Navy’s Hydrography Center, part of the Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation (DHN). The Navy publishes the annual tables on its website, covering many ports along the Brazilian coast.

On the Pernambuco coast the tide is semidiurnal: there are generally two high tides (preamar in Portuguese) and two low tides (baixa-mar) each day. The times move forward a little from one day to the next.

How to read the table, step by step

1. Choose the reference port. Porto de Galinhas does not appear as a station of its own in the official forecast. Use the nearest port listed by the Navy in Pernambuco, such as Suape, or Recife.
2. Find the day. Each day has roughly four lines: two high tides and two low tides.
3. Separate time and height. Next to each time is the tide height, in meters.
4. Identify low tide. These are the lines with the lowest values of the day. Very low values, sometimes close to zero or negative, mean a very low tide.
5. Choose a morning low tide. That is Ipojuca City Hall’s recommendation for the pools.

Moon phases and low tide

The Moon and the Sun pull on the ocean’s waters. At full moon and new moon, the two forces add up and tides become more extreme: high tide rises higher and low tide drops lower. These are spring tides, usually the best for the natural pools.

Around the first and last quarter moons, the range is smaller. Low tide does not drop as far, and the pools may be deeper or have less reef exposed.

In practice: when planning your trip, look at the lunar calendar and then confirm in the tide table. See also when to go to combine tides and weather.

Using the tide table on the day

• Arrive before the lowest tide. The jangada (traditional raft boat) ride usually leaves while the tide is still going out. Agree on the time with the jangadeiros. See the jangada boat ride.
• Watch the weather. Heavy rain in the days before and wind can cloud the water, even with a good tide.
• Listen to the people on the beach. Jangadeiros and lifeguards assess the actual conditions. The tide table is a forecast, not a guarantee.
• Remember that the tide comes back. After low tide, the water rises again. Do not get stranded on top of the reef.

Tides matter beyond the pools

Other outings in the area also depend on the tide. Some beaches have only a narrow strip of sand at high tide, and seahorse watching in Maracaípe takes place in the estuary, where the water level varies. Before you go, check the tide table and ask local operators. More practical tips in travel tips.

Where to check

• Brazilian Navy, Hydrography Center: the “Tábuas de Maré” (Tide Tables) page, with the official annual publication.
• DHN, Tide Forecasts: the forecast section of the Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation.
• Tide apps and websites: handy on your phone, but confirm the reference port and compare with the official source.