Barra Grande natural pools
R$$$The Barra Grande natural pools sit on the reefs off Barra Grande Beach, north of the center of Maragogi (AL). They are reached by speedboat at low tide, and the tour usually includes Caminho de Moisés and Antunes Beach. It suits families and anyone who wants a short boat trip.
Part of the guide Maragogi
Getting there from Porto de Galinhas
The center of Maragogi is about 85 km from Porto de Galinhas, 1 hour 20 minutes to 2 hours by car on the PE-060. Barra Grande Beach is 3 to 5 km from the center, along the AL-101 Norte, heading toward Pernambuco. The speedboats board right on the beach, and transport to the boarding point is not included in the tours.
Hours and admission
There is no fixed schedule: departures follow low tide, and the pools are only worth visiting when the tide is below 0.5. In October 2026, a shared speedboat, with 6 to 12 people, cost R$ 130 per person for a two-hour route covering the natural pool, Caminho de Moisés and Antunes Beach. Since February 2025, the city government has charged an environmental fee of R$ 7 per person on boat tours.
What to see
Clear water over the reefs, with colorful fish all around. Off the same beach is also the Barretinha pool, listed by ICMBio among Maragogi's attractions. On the way back, the speedboats stop at the Caminho de Moisés sandbank and at Antunes Beach, where you can eat and drink.
Before you go
- Eating and drinking are not allowed in the pools; bring only water.
- Do not touch the corals and do not feed the fish.
- Check the tide table before booking: at high tide, there is no pool.
- Since March 2026, a municipal law has banned commercial jet ski tours in Maragogi.