Every island worth its salt has its enchanted place — and in Algodoal it lies behind the dunes: the Lagoa da Princesa, a mirror of dark water stained by the roots of the vegetation, where, the islanders say, an enchanted princess lives and shows herself to few. With or without an appearance, the trail out to it is the loveliest outing on the Ilha de Maiandeua.
The legend
The story goes that a princess lives in the waters of the lagoon and in the sands of the beach that took her name — sometimes appearing as a young woman combing her hair, sometimes as a great serpent guarding the island. The fishermen respect her; visitors listen to the versions of the story (every guide has their own) and leave a little more enchanted. It is the Atlantic Amazon working as it always has: nature and myth at the same address.
The trail
There are two ways: the flatter one, skirting the restinga vegetation, and the one over the dunes — harder, up and down soft sand, but with views worth every step (go early in the morning or late in the afternoon; at midday the sand burns). On both, a local guide is recommended: the paths vanish in the dunes and the tide changes the scenery. A swim in the dark, warm water, framed by white crests of sand, rounds the outing off perfectly.
Tips
- Combine the outing with the Praia da Princesa — the lagoon is on the way to the beach stalls.
- Take water: there are no facilities at the lagoon.
- Sunscreen and a hat are non-negotiable on the dunes.
- Keep your camera protected from the sand — the wind is busy.
- Hire guides from the village (R$ 50-100 per group): they tell the legend like nobody else.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: moderate over the dunes (soft sand is tiring), easy on the flat route. Children: from ages 5-6 on the flat route; the dunes become an adventure playground for the older ones. Older travelers and reduced mobility: the flat route with stops is feasible for those who walk slowly; wheelchairs do not get through the sand. The reward — a swim in a lagoon with a legend included — is for every age.