Paripueira gives you reef pools without the long road. This guide is for you if you are staying in Maceió and want a day in the water, perhaps with children, and are weighing it against Maragogi. It covers how the tide shapes the morning, what the boat trip involves, when to go, and what to bring.
Why Paripueira
The name is usually translated from an indigenous language as "beach of calm waters". The town is about 30 km north of Maceió, at the southern end of the APA Costa dos Corais, the federal marine protected area that runs up the coast to Tamandaré in Pernambuco. The town presents the pools off its beach as one of the largest clusters of natural pools anywhere.
The difference from Maragogi is distance. Paripueira is a short drive, so the day has more time in the water and less in the car. The Galés at Maragogi are about 6 km out to sea. Here the pools are about 1 km from the beach.
The tide sets the morning
The pools only appear at low tide. We set the order of the day by the tide table, which is why the boat comes early on some dates and later on others. If you have a choice of days, look at the tide tables before you pick one.
The boats are sold at the stalls on the beach. The town's own guide describes the crossing as about twelve minutes by catamaran or eight by speedboat, with crews licensed by the Brazilian Navy, and the whole trip as about two hours on average. Snorkel hire and underwater photographs are offered as extras, and scuba diving is available. The boat is not included in the tour and is paid on the spot.
When to go
On this coast the clearest water comes in the dry months. December to February is the most popular stretch, with little rain, and September to November is also dry, with clear skies. March to May sits in the middle, and June to August is the wettest part of the year. Around Maceió the wettest months fall between April and July. Rain and wind cloud the water.
It is warm whatever the month: the average maximum in Maceió is around 30°C.
How the day fits together
You are collected at 07:00 and reach Paripueira at about 07:45. The reef pools take the morning. At about 11:00 you move on to Sonho Verde, a 1.8 km beach of warm, clear water and coconut groves, with its own reef pools, and you have lunch by the sea. On the way back you follow the beaches of Ipioca, in Maceió's north, and you are at your hotel by the middle of the afternoon, at about 15:00.
The times are a guide. If you want longer on the beach, tell your driver. The boat, beach-club fees and lunch are not included. The price depends on the size of your group; see it on the tour page.
Rules in the water
The pools are inside the protected area. ICMBio's visitor rules for the reefs at Maragogi are a fair guide here too:
- Do not stand on or touch the coral.
- Do not feed the fish.
- Do not take shells or stones.
- Take your rubbish back with you.
The town is also known for its manatees. It has a municipal marine park set up to protect them, and the protected area as a whole lists the marine manatee among the species it exists to protect. If you see one, keep your distance: touching, feeding or chasing them is not allowed.
What to bring
- Swimwear under your clothes, a towel and a change of clothes.
- Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
- Your own snorkel mask if you have one, or plan to hire one on the boat.
- A waterproof case for your phone.
- Cash or a card for the boat, lunch and beach clubs.
Who it suits
It suits families with small children, and anyone who would rather not spend six hours in a car to reach Maragogi. It also suits a first beach day in Maceió, or a last one before a flight, since you are back by mid-afternoon.
Think twice if you want the Galés themselves, which are only at Maragogi, or the manatee river trip, which is on the São Miguel dos Milagres day. Our guide to day trips from Maceió compares all five.
Questions people ask
Is it like Maragogi?
Both have reef pools at low tide. Paripueira's are closer to the beach and much closer to Maceió.
Can a group larger than 16 come?
Yes. Two vehicles travel together on one booking. Message us with your numbers.
Can we cancel?
Yes. Cancel up to 24 hours before pick-up and you get a full refund. See our cancellation page.
Booking
Check the tide tables for your dates, then choose your group size on the Paripueira and north coast private day tour page and book.
