There are a selection of beaches close to Recife, spread along the neighbouring coastline of Pernambuco. However, it is the busy urban beach of Boa Viagem that reliably draws the sunseekers in their thousands, being one of the most popular beaches in the Brazilian North-East.
The Praia de Boa Viagem has become an integral part of Recife's tourist industry and this wide sandy beach stretches for around 8 km / 5 miles, being lined with many shops, eateries and endless hotels. Coastal reefs tend to control the waves and help to maintain a comfortable and relatively stable water temperature of 25°C / 77°F throughout the year, although the quality of the water is variable and the possibility of shark attacks at high tide is usually enough to stop people swimming in the ocean.
General Information
Due to its convenient central location, the Praia de Boa Viagem can become extremely busy, particularly at the weekend. Most people come here to sunbathe, play beach sports and paddle, whilst at night, the beach is floodlit and regularly attracts young crowds. Those brave enough to swim in the warm waters of Boa Viagem are strongly advised not to venture behind the reefs, due to the occasional presence of large bull sharks.
Whilst the Praia de Boa Viagem is the beach where Recife holidaymakers are most likely to head when they first arrive, there are a number of further beaches that are generally more quiet. Just a short distance from the Boa Viagem and still within Recife, the Praia do Pina (north) and the Praia de Piedade (south) enjoy much popularity with holidaymakers, serving as something of an overspill for the main beach in the middle.
To the north of Recife, notable beaches include those of Catuama, Itamaracá, Janga, Pau Amarelo and Maria Farinha, the latter of which is where you will find the enormous and very exciting Veneza Water Park (Parque Aquático). To the south are the beaches of Cabo, Calhetas, Enseada dos Corais, Gaibu, Itapuama and Porto de Galinhas, amongst others.
Especially nearby Recife are the beaches of Olinda, most of which are little more than at 15-minute drive away and include the Bairro Novo, Carmo, Casa Caiada, Farol, Milagres and Rio Doce beaches.
