Natural pools
Inside the reef at low tide.
MTur Destinos — Public domain · Matti Blume — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Raul DS — CC BY 2.0
Boa Viagem is Recife's best-known beach, running about eight kilometres along the south of the city, lined by apartment towers and hotels and protected for most of its length by a natural reef. Along it runs a promenade with standard kiosks, a cycle lane, courts and exercise equipment, crowded with locals early in the morning and in the evening. At low tide, shallow, warm, clear pools form among the reefs, and you can walk on the flat reef, though it is slippery. At high tide the water covers the reef completely. Important warning: shark attacks have been recorded on this coast, so the authorities advise against swimming beyond the reef, surfing is banned, and warning signs line the beach. Keep to the pools inside the reef at low tide, and do not swim in deep water, especially at high tide, at dusk or near river mouths.
Inside the reef at low tide.
Eight kilometres.
Locals exercising.
Boa Viagem district, south Recife
Only inside the reef at low tide. Shark attacks have been recorded on this coast, the authorities advise against swimming beyond the reef, and surfing is banned.