São José da Coroa Grande natural pools
R$$The São José da Coroa Grande natural pools appear at low tide between the beach and the reefs, in the last municipality on Pernambuco's south coast before Alagoas. They suit people who want to spend the day at the beach and take a short boat trip out to the reefs.
Part of the guide São José da Coroa Grande
Getting there from Porto de Galinhas
By car, it is 68 to 70 km, a little over 1 hour. Agencies in Porto de Galinhas sell full-day excursions. In October 2026, one of them charged R$ 160 per person until December 18, 2026 and R$ 190 from December 19, 2026 to January 31, 2027, with departures on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The price includes a guide and use of a beach restaurant's facilities; the boat to the pools is paid separately. Another excursion lists a return around 17:30, for a duration of about 9 hours.
Hours and admission
There is no fixed schedule. The trip takes place at low tide, and its time changes with the day's tide table. In October 2026, the catamaran to the pools was listed as an optional extra for R$ 60 on an excursion from Porto; a kayak cost R$ 15 and a quad bike, R$ 75. There is no municipal fee published by the city government.
What to see
The town's name comes from the sand bars (coroas) that appear at low tide between the shoreline and the corals. The Pernambuco Legislative Assembly gave the municipality the title of Pernambuco's Capital of Natural Pools. The planned visiting points on the town's reefs include the Gravatá Pool, the Baliza Pool, also called Lagoa Azul, and Prainha. At the Gravatá Pool, boat tours, snorkeling and swimming are planned.
Before you go
The pools lie within the APA Costa dos Corais, a federal conservation unit managed by ICMBio. On the excursions, the partner restaurant does not allow you to bring in food, drinks or coolers. Some departures from Porto are early, sometimes before hotel breakfast.