Maceió Beaches
A quick map of Maceió's beaches: the city waterfront with the Pajuçara pools, the calmer north coast and the south coast of lagoons and coconut groves.
Updated on October 5, 2026 ✓ Information checked on October 5, 2026 adapted from the Portuguese original
Maceió has beaches inside the city and beaches for a day out, to the north and to the south. To choose, it helps to think in three regions: the city waterfront, the north coast and the south coast. In all of them, the tide changes the scenery. Before deciding, check the Maceió tide table.
The three regions side by side
| Region | Beaches | Sea | Facilities | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City waterfront | Pajuçara, Ponta Verde, Jatiúca, Cruz das Almas | Calm where there are reefs (Pajuçara, Ponta Verde); more open at Jatiúca and Cruz das Almas | Promenade, cycle path, plenty of services | First trip, no car, the Pajuçara pools |
| North coast | Garça Torta, Riacho Doce, Ipioca and, in another municipality, Paripueira | Varies; regulated natural pools at Paripueira | Simpler and more spread out | Those seeking peace and less crowded beaches |
| South coast | Praia do Francês, Barra de São Miguel, Gunga | Varies; lagoons and coconut groves | Good at the most popular beaches | Full-day trips, by car or excursion |
City waterfront
This is the part of Maceió most tourists get to know first. In City Hall’s coastal planning, the stretch between Pajuçara and Jacarecica is described as a densely built-up urban area. The beaches are linked by a continuous promenade.
From Pajuçara the jangadas (traditional sailing rafts) leave for the natural pools. Ponta Verde has the lighthouse on the reefs. Farther north, Jatiúca and Cruz das Almas have more open sea, and Cruz das Almas is popular with surfers.
North coast
After Jacarecica, the character changes. Garça Torta, Riacho Doce and Ipioca have the pace of beach neighborhoods. Ipioca is already inside the Costa dos Corais APA (environmental protection area). Just past the city limits, Paripueira has natural pools with visits regulated by ICMBio. Details in the guide to the beaches of the Alagoas north coast.
South coast
To the south, heading out past Mundaú Lagoon, are beaches in other municipalities, such as Francês, in Marechal Deodoro, and Barra de São Miguel and Gunga. These are full-day outings. See the guide to the beaches of the Alagoas south coast.
How to choose
- Short on time and no car: stay on the city waterfront and save the low-tide day for the Pajuçara pools.
- With small children: choose beaches sheltered by reefs at low tide. See Maceió with kids.
- Looking for peace: set aside a day for the north coast.
- Want coconut groves and lagoons: set aside a day for the south coast.
Below are all the beaches in the guide.
Attractions mentioned
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Free access Maceió city waterfront Pajuçara Beach Pajuçara is the most central city beach on Maceió's waterfront and the departure point for jangadas to the natural pools. See details -
Free access Maceió city waterfront Ponta Verde Beach Ponta Verde is the point of Maceió's city waterfront, marked by the striped lighthouse on the reefs and a sea that becomes shallow at low tide. See details -
Free access Maceió city waterfront Jatiúca Beach Jatiúca continues the city waterfront after Ponta Verde, with a busy promenade and a sea less sheltered by reefs. See details -
Free access Maceió city waterfront Cruz das Almas Beach Cruz das Almas closes Maceió's city waterfront to the north and has a more open sea, with waves that draw surfers. See details - Free access North coast Garça Torta Beach Garça Torta is a beach neighborhood on Maceió's north coast, with a very different pace from the city waterfront, on the way to Riacho Doce and Ipioca. See details
- Free accessTide-dependent North coast Sereia Beach (Riacho Doce) In the Riacho Doce neighborhood, a sculpture about four meters tall has stood on the reefs since 1964. It's the most photographed stop on Maceió's north coast. See details
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Free access North coast Ipioca Beach Ipioca is at the northern tip of Maceió, inside the Costa dos Corais APA, with less densely built-up beaches and river mouths. See details -
Tide-dependent South coast Praia do Francês The best-known beach on the south coast is in Marechal Deodoro, about half an hour from Maceió, and combines a reef-sheltered stretch with a stretch of waves. See details -
Tide-dependent South coast Barra de São Miguel Beach A south coast municipality about 32 km from the Ponta Verde waterfront, with a reef-sheltered sea and departures for trips to Gunga Beach. See details -
South coast Gunga Beach A sandspit between the sea and Roteiro Lagoon, with colorful cliffs and an extensive coconut grove. Reached by road or by boat from Barra de São Miguel. See details
Beaches
In this section
- 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. Read guide
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South Coast of Alagoas Beaches Francês, Barra de São Miguel and Gunga are less than an hour from Maceió on the AL-101 Sul. See how each one works and how to combine them in one itinerary. Read guide
Frequently asked questions
Which Maceió beach is best to stay at?
On a first trip, the city waterfront (Pajuçara, Ponta Verde and Jatiúca) has the most services and is close to the departure point for the natural pools. See pros and cons in the where to stay in Maceió guide.
Which Maceió beaches have the calmest sea?
Pajuçara and Ponta Verde usually have calmer water, because the reefs shelter the beach, especially at low tide. Jatiúca and Cruz das Almas have more open sea.
Are Maceió's city beaches safe for swimming?
It depends on the week and the stretch. IMA-AL publishes bathing water quality reports and, in 2026, stretches of the city beaches were listed as unsuitable. Check the latest report before going into the sea.
Do I have to pay to get onto the beaches?
No. Under Law 7,661/1988, beaches are public assets for common use, with free access. You pay for services such as chairs, umbrellas and tours.
Keep reading
Keep planning
- 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. Read guide
- South Coast of Alagoas Beaches Francês, Barra de São Miguel and Gunga are less than an hour from Maceió on the AL-101 Sul. See how each one works and how to combine them in one itinerary. Read guide
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Maceió Tide Table: How to Read It and Plan the Natural Pools The tide table for the port of Maceió, published by the Navy, decides the day for the natural pools. Learn how to read it and use it in your itinerary. Read guide