Turquoise water
Mid-ocean.
enioprado — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Mayane K Baumgärtner — CC BY-SA 4.0 · enioprado — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Rafael Vianna Croffi from São Paulo, Brazil — CC BY 2.0
The Galés of Maragogi are natural pools that form on the coral reef out at sea, about six kilometres off the beach of the town of Maragogi in northern Alagoas, when the tide goes out, revealing pools of clear turquoise water in the middle of the ocean, where colourful fish swim. These pools put Maragogi on the international tourist map, and visits are strictly controlled to protect the reef, with only a set number of boats allowed each day. A municipal environmental fee, in the form of a wristband, is paid with the trip. Boats leave from Maragogi beach at low tide, so the time changes every day, and the trip takes a few hours. Masks and snorkels can be hired. Do not stand on the coral or feed the fish.
Mid-ocean.
6 km offshore.
Around you.
Offshore from Maragogi, north coast of Alagoas
About R$120 per person, plus a R$7 environmental fee and about R$30 for mask hire; trips run at low tide only.