Foto: Marco Ankosqui/MTur Destinos · Public domain

Beaches

North Coast of Alagoas Beaches from Maceió

From the end of the city waterfront to Barra de Santo Antônio, the north coast has neighborhood beaches, the Mermaid statue and natural pools regulated by the Costa dos Corais APA.

Updated on October 5, 2026 ✓ Information checked on October 5, 2026 adapted from the Portuguese original

The north coast is the closest alternative for getting away from Maceió’s city waterfront without a long drive. The scenery changes quickly: tower blocks give way to houses, coconut palms and river mouths. Farther north, the coast enters the Costa dos Corais APA, the federal protected area that regulates visits to the natural pools. This guide runs from the end of the city waterfront to Barra de Santo Antônio.

How the north coast is organized

In Maceió City Hall’s coastal planning, the city’s shoreline is divided into three units. The second runs from Pajuçara to Jacarecica and is the dense urban area. The third, from Jacarecica to Ipioca, has a different pattern of occupation and stretches with environmental preservation features. That is Maceió’s north coast.

After Ipioca, the coast continues through other municipalities: Paripueira and Barra de Santo Antônio are the closest.

Stop	Municipality	Highlight	Tide-dependent?
Jacarecica and Guaxuma	Maceió	Transition between the city waterfront and the north	Slightly
Garça Torta	Maceió	Beach-village feel	Yes, for the strip of sand
Riacho Doce	Maceió	Mermaid statue on the reefs	Yes, to see the reefs
Ipioca	Maceió	Inside the APA, mouths of the Sauaçuí and Meirim rivers	Yes
Paripueira	Paripueira	Natural pools regulated by the APA	Yes, the trip depends on it
Barra de Santo Antônio	Barra de Santo Antônio	Beaches and pools listed by ICMBio	Yes

Garça Torta and Riacho Doce

Garça Torta lies between Guaxuma and Riacho Doce. It’s a neighborhood beach, good for a quiet day while still within the city.

At Riacho Doce stands the Mermaid statue, set on the reefs. According to Maceió City Hall, it’s the work of artist José Corbiniano Lins, is about 4 meters tall and was unveiled on March 22, 1964. In 2022, the statue was restored after losing its tail to the sea. At low tide, the surrounding reefs are more visible.

In March 2025, City Hall announced drainage, sanitation and paving works in Guaxuma, Garça Torta, Riacho Doce and Ipioca, including the seafront avenue at Sereia beach.

Ipioca

Ipioca is Maceió’s northernmost neighborhood and already lies inside the Costa dos Corais APA. ICMBio’s 2021 Public Use Plan lists Ipioca Beach, Sauaçuí Beach and the Meirim River there. The same plan listed the Ipioca natural pools among those still to be regulated. So for an organized pool trip, the recommendation is Paripueira.

Paripueira: the APA’s natural pools

At Paripueira, visits to the pools have been regulated by the APA since Ordinance No. 08/2009. According to Paripueira City Hall, the trip leaves from the beach on catamarans and speedboats, with a crossing of about 12 minutes by catamaran or 8 by speedboat, and lasts about 2 hours on average.

The APA sets a daily limit on visitors and boats, the Visitor Benchmark Number. And the trip only runs at low tide: on tides with a low of 0.7 m or more, trips are restricted, according to the guidance published by Paripueira City Hall. Choose the day with the tide table.

Barra de Santo Antônio

Farther north, Barra de Santo Antônio is also within the APA. The Public Use Plan lists beaches there such as Ilha da Croa, Carro Quebrado and Tabuba, as well as natural pools such as Piscina Tabuba and Ponta da Gamela. Some are reached by boat. Since rules and operators vary, check locally and with the APA before booking any trip.

Farther north

Following the AL-101 Norte, the coast continues along the Costa dos Corais to the border with Pernambuco. Those beaches have their own guide: see Maceió and Maragogi.

Suggested one-day itinerary

Time	Plan
Morning, near low tide	Paripueira natural pools
Lunch	In Paripueira itself or in Ipioca
Afternoon	Ipioca or Garça Torta
Late afternoon	A stop at the Mermaid, in Riacho Doce, on the way back

If low tide falls in the late afternoon, reverse the order: Maceió beaches first and the pools afterwards, without rushing the return.

Practical tips

Transport: a car or ride-hailing app makes it easy to combine stops. Tour agencies also cover the route.
Facilities: fewer than on the city waterfront. Bring water, sunscreen and small change.
Safety in the sea: not every beach has lifeguards. Go in with care and respect the signs.
Comparison: to see how the north fits into the bigger picture, read the Maceió beaches guide. For the other side of the city, see the south coast beaches.

Attractions mentioned

Frequently asked questions

What are the beaches on Maceió's north coast?

Within the city, after the urban waterfront, come Jacarecica, Guaxuma, Garça Torta, Riacho Doce and Ipioca. Just past the city limits are Paripueira and, farther north, Barra de Santo Antônio.

Where are the north coast's natural pools?

The closest regulated trip from Maceió is at Paripueira, inside the Costa dos Corais APA. ICMBio also lists pools at Barra de Santo Antônio. At Ipioca, the pools were still awaiting regulation in the 2021 plan.

Can I see the north coast in one day?

You can visit two or three stops, such as Garça Torta, the Mermaid at Riacho Doce and Paripueira. Choose the day by the tide if you want to include the natural pools.

Do I need a car?

A car or ride-hailing app gives you flexibility to combine beaches. Agency tours are another option. For buses, check routes and times on official channels.

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