The trip to the natural pools is the whole reason for any journey to Maragogi — but it has a quirk that catches many travelers out: the time changes every single day, because the tide is in charge. This practical guide explains how it all works so you do not risk turning up on the wrong day.
The golden rule: low tide
The pools only “appear” when the sea retreats. The tours run with a tide of roughly 0.0 to 0.6 on the tide table — the lower the number, the shallower and more visible the pools. Check the tide table for the port of Maragogi before fixing your dates, and favor the days of a full or new moon, when the tides are at their lowest. Departures happen between 6am and 3pm, always adjusted to that day’s tide.
Catamaran, schooner or speedboat?
- Catamaran — the traditional and cheapest option, carrying large groups. Lively atmosphere, good for families.
- Schooner — smaller groups, a calmer pace.
- Speedboat — less traveling time and more time in the water, ideal for anyone who wants the pools emptier. It costs more, but private hire for a group can be worth it.
The classic tour lasts around 3 hours and reference prices start at approximately R$ 120 per person on the catamaran, rising with the vessel and the exclusivity. Small children usually get a discount.
In the water
At the Galés the depth ranges from stretches where you can stand to pools several meters deep, so a life jacket solves it for anyone who is not a strong swimmer. A mask and snorkel transform the outing: shoals of sergeant majors, parrotfish and angelfish surround the visitors. Accredited underwater photographers offer pictures with the fish — agree the price beforehand.
What to bring (and what to leave at the hotel)
- A UV shirt and a hat — the sun on the open sea does not forgive.
- Reef-safe sunscreen only, applied well in advance.
- Your own snorkel mask if you have one: the hire ones run out fast on busy days.
- Cash or Pix for the photos, drinks and snacks sold on board.
- Leave the drones and speakers: besides being unnecessary, there are strict rules inside the Costa dos Corais protected area.
Conservation first
You will be inside a conservation unit: do not stand on the coral, do not touch the animals and do not take anything from the reef as a souvenir. Serious agencies repeat these rules at boarding — be suspicious of the ones that do not. The future of the Brazilian Caribbean depends on exactly that care.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: light — the sea puts on the show, you float. Children: all ages with a life jacket; children’s masks make a difference. Older travelers and people with reduced mobility: workable and recommended — choose an early-morning low tide, with a calmer sea and shallower pools.