One of the main itineraries in the Northeast, the Costa dos Corais is an environmental reserve with about 130 km of extension between Tamandaré, on the southern coast of Pernambuco, and Maceió, in the north of Alagoas.

Unlike what happens in Fernando de Noronha (PE), visitors do not need to pay any fee to ICMBio, which manages the region, to visit the Environmental Protection Area.

In other words, an extra incentive for those who want to explore paradisiacal places, such as the natural pools of Porto de Galinhas.

From Tamandaré (PE) to Maceió (AL), the APA passes through various cities, each with its own charm, such as the fishing village of Porto de Pedras or the almost wild Ilha de Santo Aleixo.

Among the municipalities that can be included in the itinerary are Paripueira, Barra de Santo Antônio, Passo de Camaragibe, and Porto Calvo, in Alagoas, or Japaratinga, in Pernambuco.

The most sought-after cities on the route are the already famous Porto de Galinhas, Maragogi, and São Miguel dos Milagres.

If you’re planning a itinerary along the Costa dos Corais, the available time for your trip will determine how much of the region you’ll be able to visit.

Ideally, you should reserve at least 14 days for the journey, which is the minimum time needed to explore the main cities of the region and enjoy beautiful beaches.

If you have more time for your trip, like 20 to 30 days, you can cover almost all the cities where one of the largest coral reefs in South America is located.

However, if you only have a week or a few days to travel, don’t worry. You’ll have enough time to visit one or two cities, and no matter the chosen destination, you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful beaches!

The Costa dos Corais is the largest coastal marine reserve in Brazil, covering over 400,000 hectares and 120,000 km of protected mangroves and beaches.

The region is managed by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) as it is home to endangered species such as turtles, whales, and manatees.

The reason for such diverse animal life is a massive coral reef wall, or “barrier,” located about 30 km from the shoreline, providing food and shelter to various groups including algae, crustaceans, fish, aquatic mammals, among others.

Some of the main cities along the Coral Coast include:

1. Tamandaré (PE)
2. Porto de Galinhas (PE)
3. Maragogi (AL)
4. São Miguel dos Milagres (AL)
5. Porto de Pedras (AL)
6. Japaratinga (AL)
7. Barra de Santo Antônio (AL)
8. Passo de Camaragibe (AL)
9. Porto Calvo (AL)
10. Maceió (AL)