Praia de Serrambi

Serrambi is in Ipojuca (PE), between Pontal de Maracaípe and Toquinho Beach, about 12 km from the Vila de Porto de Galinhas (the village center). It has about 5 km of shoreline, with stretches of waves and, at Ponta de Serrambi, calm water sheltered by reefs, where natural pools form at low tide. It is a quiet beach with a family atmosphere.

Getting there

From the Vila it is 15 to 20 minutes by car via the PE-009 and the Maracaípe road. From Recife Airport it is 60 to 73 km, 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes, via the BR-101, the PE-060 and the PE-009. Signage is poor: use Serrambi Resort or Cabana Beach Serrambi as your GPS reference. Since July 2024, bus line 196, which leaves from the Terminal Integrado do Cabo, has served Serrambi.

Sections of the beach

The shoreline is divided into Serrambi, Enseadinha and Ponta de Serrambi. On one side of the point, the reefs keep the water calm, shallow and clear, with good swimming conditions at almost any tide; on the other, there is a steeply shelving beach with strong waves. The best Serrambi natural pools are at the Ponta, right by the shore, at low tide. Check the tide table before you go.

In the area there is kayaking, stand up paddle, snorkeling and boat tours. Serrambi is not a traditional surfing or kitesurfing spot, and the reefs call for experience from those who practice these sports.

Access and guardhouses

The beach is public, but part of the access goes through gated developments. To reach Ponta de Serrambi, you enter the Ponta de Serrambi condominium, which has a guardhouse. In 2026, the Ipojuca Public Treasury Court ordered signs to be installed stating that access to Serrambi and Toquinho beaches is free, but allowed the developments to keep their guardhouses and ID requests; the Praia de Enseadinha development has seven access points to the sand. The Pernambuco Public Prosecutor's Office appealed to the State Court of Justice to end the controls at the gates, and the guardhouses remain in operation until the ruling.

Wreck diving

Serrambi is a wreck diving spot. The three most visited wrecks lie between 32 and 34 meters deep: the Galeão Serrambi; the Marte, a tugboat sunk in the late 1990s to form an artificial reef; and the Gonçalo Coelho, a World War II landing ship sunk in 1999. Advanced certification is required. Abissal Mergulho, inside Serrambi Resort, takes divers to all three wrecks and offers discovery dives for beginners. The best season for diving runs from October to April.

Facilities and accommodation

Facilities are limited: there are few restaurants and beach kiosks, and at Ponta de Serrambi there are only street vendors. Cabana Beach Serrambi has restrooms, showers and parking, and it is easy to park on the street for free. The main place to stay is Serrambi Resort, with 156 sea-view rooms and children's activities. There are also pousadas (guesthouses) and chalets nearby.

Precautions

• At low tide the reefs are exposed: keep an eye on children and wear shoes.
• The steep side has strong waves.
• CPRH monitors water quality at Ponta de Serrambi every week. The stretch was rated suitable for swimming in April 2026 and unsuitable in June 2026: check the bulletin before you go.
• Ipojuca is outside CEMIT's shark alert area, which runs from Olinda to Paiva.

When to go

According to APAC, the rainy season on the coast runs from April to July. From September to March the weather is usually drier. The best time of day is around low tide, for the natural pools.