Santo Aleixo Island

Visit Santo aleixo Island

Lost among the warm waters of northeastern Brazil there is a tropical paradise that deserves our attention. Its name is Santo Aleixo Island and it is located on the southern coast of Pernambuco, more specifically in the city of Sirinhaém.

WHERE IS SANTO ALEIXO ISLAND LOCATED?

Located just 35 km south from Porto de Galinhas, it is needed to go to Sirinhaem first and from there take a boat to the island.

The city of Sirinhaem itself is not very touristic and therefore does not have a large structure but serves as a gateway for those who want to get to the island, which is located approximately 2.5 km from the mainland.

To get there you need to take one of the boats that are in the mouth of Sirinhaém River, mostly small boats capable of reaching the island in 10 – 15 minutes.

The way there is really fun, as the boats need to pass between the coral barriers and beat the waves that are formed there. For those who enjoy a bit of adrenaline, it’s possible to make the trip in the front part of the boat, but then you have to be willing to get wet.

WHAT TO DO IN SANTO ALEIXO ISLAND?

Arriving on the island, the boat will leave you on the main beach, which faces the mainland and has a good structure to welcome visitors. There you will find a floating restaurant where the most delicious food and various drinks are prepared and then served on the beach tables.

Also on the main beach it’s possible to rent kayaks and have fun in the calm waters that circulate the island. A different way to enjoy this special little corner of Brazil.

For the adventurers, there’s much to do! The island is small but that doesn’t mean that there’s only few things to do. On the contrary, exactly because of its size it’s possible to explore all the corners of the island and be rewarded with beautiful and completely deserted places. Literally a paradise to call it yours.

The best is yet to come! Tucked away on the other side of the island, there is a beach that’s absolutely stunning. It’s called Ferradura Beach (“Horseshoe” Beach) and it received this name precisely because of its shape. In reality the beach is a bay of warm and super calm waters: a giant pool of salt water.

To get there, just follow a 10-minute trail that starts in the left corner of the main beach, climbing over the rocks and around the hill. Once a day, the local guides accompany the visitors to the area, so those who feel insecure about going alone can wait to go with them.

Arriving at the end of the trail you will be rewarded with a gorgeous view of the beach and this is just a preview of the scenery that awaits you down there.

Last but not least

The place is a true refuge, where the beauty of nature makes you forget any problem that you might have. The only dilemma you will face there is having to decide between spending your time in the clear blue waters of the bay or relaxing on the beach sitting beneath the luscious shadows in the sand.

At the end of this beach there is another small hill that can be climbed and from where it’s possible to have a 360 ° view of Santo Aleixo Island.

Most visitors return to the main beach after a while, to eat something at the local restaurant. You can take a snack and stay there until the last possible second and more, have this incredible place all to yourself! Be sure: when it’s time to go, you’ll see how hard it is to leave such beauty behind.

Santo Aleixo Island is not yet as well known as it should be, since it was just recently opened for tourism. To visit there use the city of Porto de Galinhas as a base, which definitely has the best infrastructure for tourism on the southern coast of Pernambuco and from where you can take a daily tour to Santo Aleixo.

This will undoubtedly be a day that will be recorded in your memory. You may have to leave the island at the end of the day, but the peace that will invade you there will remain within you for a long, long time.

Do the boats leave everyday?

Boats to Santo Aleixo don´t go every day, as the tours depends on the season and ammount of people going. It is better to ask in advance. If you need any info or want to book online check out our Santo Aleixo Island tour.