Praia do Patacho, association Peixe-Boi, Praia de Lages, all these attractions of the ecological route of Alagoas are in the municipality of Porto de Pedras. But a lot of people refer to them as if they were part of São Miguel dos Milagres, a neighboring city.
But let's give the right places a merit. Porto de Pedras is already an emancipated municipality since 1921. In fact, the Centrinho of Porto de Pedras is very simple but much more charming than the village of São Miguel de Milagres or Porto da Rua. I felt like staying there.
And what about the colourful village of Tatuamunha? Nearby is the Peixe-Boi Association, place of one of the most crowded and peculiar tours of the region.
The lighthouse of Porto de Pedras is seen from several places and is on the banks of the river Manguaba, which separates Porto de Pedras and Japaratinga. From the top, the view (somewhat improvised) is an attractive one more.
But let's give the right places a merit. Porto de Pedras is already an emancipated municipality since 1921. In fact, the Centrinho of Porto de Pedras is very simple but much more charming than the village of São Miguel de Milagres or Porto da Rua. I felt like staying there.
And what about the colourful village of Tatuamunha? Nearby is the Peixe-Boi Association, place of one of the most crowded and peculiar tours of the region.
The lighthouse of Porto de Pedras is seen from several places and is on the banks of the river Manguaba, which separates Porto de Pedras and Japaratinga. From the top, the view (somewhat improvised) is an attractive one more.
What to do in Porto de Pedras: Beach of Patacho and Peixe-Boi – Alagoas
Meet this city next to São Miguel dos Milagres that brings some of the most beautiful beaches of Alagoas
For those who come from Maceió, you must cross the ecological route until you get here. On the way, we cross destinations such as Paripueira, Passo de Camaragibe (from Barra de Santo Antônio you need to make a small detour to the interior) and São Miguel dos Milagres. The journey lasts about 2:30 a.m.
Crossing the Manguaba River
Who arrives from Recife, Maragogi or Japaratinga, you must cross the river Manguaba by ferry and arrive in Porto de Pedras. The path across the river is already a stroll. While we are approaching the city, the landscape is complete with the lighthouse, symbol of the city and located on top of a hill.When the ferry slopes in the fields of Porto de Pedras, it is possible to find a quiet city with colourful houses, children playing on the street and the water of the river Manguaba as scenery.
Lighthouse of Porto de Pedras
The truth is that the entrance to the lighthouse itself is controversial. There's a navy warning saying the entrance is forbidden, but a huge open gate. What to do??? A boy was sleeping at the base of the lighthouse and he calls us to show a lookout. From a few different points, you can view the nearest beaches.
Through the trees, you can see the waterfront of Porto de Pedras and the amazing way the water of the river touches the seawater, well verdinha. The colors alternate in a beautiful landscape.
The boy still talked a little bit about some curiosities of the place and showed a painting inside the lighthouse.
The lighthouse is 90 meters high and was inaugurated in 1933.
At the end of the day, the view of the lighthouse of Porto de Pedras is beautiful, but the place is somewhat improvised and is somewhat uncomfortable this situation of the forbidden entrance. Just visit if you have time left.
Patacho Beach
After the visit to the lighthouse, we descend and follow to the biggest attraction of Porto de Pedras: the Patacho beach.
This beach has already been considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil. Judging by our visit, I consider this rating super esteemed, but the beach is really beautiful.
It turns out that we visited Alagoas in September, after a long period of rainfall. In the month of July it had rained practically every day there and until September the rains were still frequent. Perhaps that's why the water was cloudy and not as crystalline as one expects from a destination with the fame of being the Brazilian Caribbean.
We also found a lot of dirt in seawater, including human garbage. It is no wonder that the government of Alagoas placed on all the beaches the following message: The beach is ours, the trash is yours.
This beach has already been considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil. Judging by our visit, I consider this rating super esteemed, but the beach is really beautiful.
It turns out that we visited Alagoas in September, after a long period of rainfall. In the month of July it had rained practically every day there and until September the rains were still frequent. Perhaps that's why the water was cloudy and not as crystalline as one expects from a destination with the fame of being the Brazilian Caribbean.
We also found a lot of dirt in seawater, including human garbage. It is no wonder that the government of Alagoas placed on all the beaches the following message: The beach is ours, the trash is yours.
How to get there
Anyway, we visited Patacho beach in two moments of the day. Access is easy, just take the path that has the Patacho post on the corner.
The road is ground but it can circulate normally, and arriving on the beach has plenty of place to park.
There is no structure, so it is good to bring drinks and who knows something to eat, depending on the time you will stay. But don't forget the trash, huh?
At first, we find Patacho with low tide, with water in shades of green and turquoise blue. You could walk to the corals, or opt for a Jangadeiro (around R $40.00 per person). As the water gets very shallow, this moment is not very conducive to those who like to swim or dive.
We'll be back later with the full tide. There, you can get the adults to enjoy the sea and the sand strip is more beautiful, with the coconut trees closest to the Caribbean color waters. Looks like two different beaches.
The road is ground but it can circulate normally, and arriving on the beach has plenty of place to park.
There is no structure, so it is good to bring drinks and who knows something to eat, depending on the time you will stay. But don't forget the trash, huh?
At first, we find Patacho with low tide, with water in shades of green and turquoise blue. You could walk to the corals, or opt for a Jangadeiro (around R $40.00 per person). As the water gets very shallow, this moment is not very conducive to those who like to swim or dive.
We'll be back later with the full tide. There, you can get the adults to enjoy the sea and the sand strip is more beautiful, with the coconut trees closest to the Caribbean color waters. Looks like two different beaches.
Laje Beach (or Lages beach)
Another beach that is worth the visit is the Laje beach (many people write Lage or Lages beach, but the writing of the correct word, according to the dictionaries, is with the letter "J").
The arrival impresses, through a huge plantation of coconut trees. The access by the road was very muddy, we were very afraid to jam and stopped just before arriving at the beach.
The beach holds the same characteristics as Patacho, with the difference being in Half moon format.
At the entrance, two kiosks guarantee drinks and coconut water.
The arrival impresses, through a huge plantation of coconut trees. The access by the road was very muddy, we were very afraid to jam and stopped just before arriving at the beach.
The beach holds the same characteristics as Patacho, with the difference being in Half moon format.
At the entrance, two kiosks guarantee drinks and coconut water.
Tatuamunha and Peixe-Boi Preservation Project
Finally, it is not enough to leave out the beautiful village of Tatuamunha, with historic mansions and the visit to the Peixe-Boi Association.
The village has charming houses and squares, and a small church, the Church of São Gonçalo.
The village has charming houses and squares, and a small church, the Church of São Gonçalo.
How much it costs and how to book the tour to see the manatee
The tour to see the manatee can be scheduled by WhatsApp (Peixe-Boi Association (82) 99359-7473).
It is advisable to reserve as there is a limit of people per day. And so you also guarantee the time of your preference.
The price is a little salty, in my opinion. It costs R $50.00 per person and includes the guide and a tour of about 1 hours. The boat follows until near a breeding of manatees, where they re-adapt to nature.
The value ends up compensating to encourage a beautiful project. A group of community guides have joined together to help preserve manatees in their natural habitat and order observation tourism. The project is part of the APA Costa dos Corais, which guarantees the preservation of the north coast of Alagoas.
Manatee is the most endangered species of aquatic mammal in Brazil, classified as "in critical Danger" since 1989 (MMA, 2010).
The project generates income for more than 40 families, besides helping to preserve the species. Therefore, face the value of the tour as an investment in this beautiful initiative.
It is advisable to reserve as there is a limit of people per day. And so you also guarantee the time of your preference.
The price is a little salty, in my opinion. It costs R $50.00 per person and includes the guide and a tour of about 1 hours. The boat follows until near a breeding of manatees, where they re-adapt to nature.
The value ends up compensating to encourage a beautiful project. A group of community guides have joined together to help preserve manatees in their natural habitat and order observation tourism. The project is part of the APA Costa dos Corais, which guarantees the preservation of the north coast of Alagoas.
Manatee is the most endangered species of aquatic mammal in Brazil, classified as "in critical Danger" since 1989 (MMA, 2010).
The project generates income for more than 40 families, besides helping to preserve the species. Therefore, face the value of the tour as an investment in this beautiful initiative.
How the Tour works
The management plan allows minimal interaction, so everything you do on the raft is approaching the animals. When they appear, you can stay close to them, but touching is not allowed under any circumstances. In some cases, it may be until they lean over the raft, but it didn't happen to us.
According to our guide Carla, the months of June and July, for being colder, are when the manatee gives fewer faces. In these situations, he prefers to be under the water himself. You know that little chill you got when you get out of the sea?
As our September was also not of the hottest, we can only see the queer emerge from time to time to breathe out of the water.
According to our guide Carla, the months of June and July, for being colder, are when the manatee gives fewer faces. In these situations, he prefers to be under the water himself. You know that little chill you got when you get out of the sea?
As our September was also not of the hottest, we can only see the queer emerge from time to time to breathe out of the water.
Tatuamunha Beach
There was no time for us, but you can still get to know Tatuamunha beach.
It is there that lies the mouth of the Rio Tatuamunha, the same where the tour is done to see the manatee. The place is also known as Boca do Rio and one of the currencies of the municipality of Porto de Pedras. After the river, we are already in Porto da Rua, in São Miguel dos Milagres.
Credits: viagenscinematograficas
It is there that lies the mouth of the Rio Tatuamunha, the same where the tour is done to see the manatee. The place is also known as Boca do Rio and one of the currencies of the municipality of Porto de Pedras. After the river, we are already in Porto da Rua, in São Miguel dos Milagres.
Credits: viagenscinematograficas
