Pernambuco
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Positives
- Easy uncrowded beachbreaks
- Rarely flat
- Paradise beaches
- Great atmosphere
Negatives
- Small surf
- Frequent onshores
- Sharks
- Relatively expensive
Pernambuco surf travel guide
Nordeste is the Brazil of clichés… colourful, vibrant and always exciting. The 70km (43mi) coastal strip that makes up the seaboard of Pernambuco State is just a small area of this vast region. It’s a low lying, fertile plain with a great mix of beaches and reefs. Most of the reefs lie within 200m of the shore and offer powerful waves on offshore days, whilst the beaches are better surfed on the more common onshore days.
The main centre is Recife, a place that used to be a good base for surfers, but all this has changed. Following the construction of a huge harbour in Boca de Suape in the early 90's, along with irresponsible coastal development and some serious over-fishing, the local eco-system experienced major changes. These changes were graphically illustrated at the top of the food chain where sharks began to go hungry and unsurprisingly, shark attacks on surfers increased dramatically. In the space of a few years there were six fatal attacks. The authorities, worried about dropping tourist numbers, responded by placing the blame squarely on the shoulders of surfers and banned surfing along a 60km (37mi) stretch of coast!
Since 1998 the beaches where surfing has been prohibited include the following: Olinda, one of the most picturesque colonial towns in the country; Praia del Chifre, Recife; the resort area of Boa Viagem including the quality Acaiaca reefs; the hollow reef breaks of Abreus; the reefs of Quebra Mar; the reliable SE facing beach breaks of Paiva and finally Pedra Preta. Although the Gaibu Peninsula is located inside the prohibited zone, the authorities have allowed the locals access to the surf and there have been no attacks so far.
Surf spots in Pernambuco
Research the 7 surf breaks in Pernambuco and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 7 breaks in Pernambuco.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Pernambuco
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Library
Helpful surf travel videos and articles featuring Pernambuco.
Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 6,621,000
- Population
- 212,559,417
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- BRL
- Exchange rate
- $1 = 1.9 BRL BRL
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +55
- Dialing out
- 0014
- Emergencies
- 911
- Language
- Portuguese
Electricity
- Plug Type
- n
Visas
Visa free travel for nearly all nationalities for stays of up to 90 days.
Getting There
Most nationalities need a visa. Brazilian Varig airlines charge $50 board tax. National flights are expensive (buy an air pass before you arrive in Brazil), but charter flights to São Paulo are plentiful. It’s 12 hours by “Leito” (sleeper bus) from São Paulo ($20/o/w). Recife is Brazil’s third biggest airport after Rio and São Paulo and so has many flight connections with the US and Europe. Porto do Galinhas is 60km (37mi) from Recife on either the BR-101 highway or the good PE 38 road. Dep tax is $30.
Getting Around
Flooding can occur in the winter and the roads can get very muddy making beach access difficult. Renting a car will cost from $50/d, buses run from Recife to Galinhas. A local taxi ride shouldn't really cost more than $2. Use the Jangadas (dugouts) for $4/hr to reach the outside reefs.
Accommodation
Porto da Galinhas is a major resort but you may find Maracaipe a better and cheaper bet - try the Hotel Flat ($40/dble), Pousada dos Coqueiros ($45/dble) or one of the many cheap pousadas, such as Raio do Luz, $15/dble. The surf season is the off-season for tourists, so bargain time. A meal shouldn’t cost more than $8; try eating peixadasn and Macaxeira. The local drink is Caipirinha.
Activities
The coastline is a beautiful blend of low sand dunes and palm trees. The waters are murky in the winter. Good diving off Santo Aleixo Island. Recife is a worthy cultural visit (check the jail), as is Olinda, the former capital of Brazil.
Hazards & hassles
There hasn’t been any shark attacks north of Boca de Suape for a while now, mainly because of the surfing ban. Big beaches like Maracaipe only get crowded at weekends, but if one of the good reefs turns on it will be busy whatever time of the week it is. In Recife and Boa Viagem stay alert for pick pockets and muggings.
Handy Hints
Recife’s shapers have suffered badly with a drop in business since the ban. Surfboards are cheap at $400. Katu surf shop is in Galinhas and there’s a board repairer in Maracaipe. Brazil is an ethnically diverse country but the people are united through their love of Samba music and Forro dancing.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.