Natural pools
On the reef.
Sitenl — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Otávio Nogueira from Fortaleza, BR — CC BY 2.0 · Ana Raquel S. Hernandes from Sao Paulo, Brazil — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Ana Raquel S. Hernandes from Sao Paulo, Brazil — CC BY-SA 2.0
São Miguel dos Milagres is a small coastal town of about 8,000 people on the northern coast of Alagoas, on the so-called «Ecological Route», a stretch of quiet beaches and natural pools that appear at low tide. Local tradition says its name, «Saint Michael of the Miracles», comes from a fisherman who found a wooden image of the saint on the beach. Its signature outing is a ride on a jangada, the traditional sailing raft, to the natural pools on the reef, run only on days with a low tide of up to 0.8 metres; it takes about an hour and a half and usually stops at the Toque beach pool and a deeper pool for snorkelling. Near the town is a protected area for manatees, endangered animals that can reach four metres, visited on boat trips. Jangada rides cost about R$70-110 a person depending on operator and season; book around the tide table. The town is a calm choice for anyone after uncrowded beaches.
On the reef.
A traditional raft.
A protected area.
Northern coast of Alagoas, on the «Ecological Route»
Only on days with a low tide of up to 0.8 metres, so book around the tide table; the price is about R$70-110 a person.