Porto de Galinhas beach, Beach destination in Ipojuca, Brazil.
Porto de Galinhas is a beach on the Atlantic coast of Pernambuco, south of Recife, known for its natural tidal pools formed among coral reefs. The sand is light and fine, the water shifts from green to turquoise, and at low tide shallow protected areas form where visitors can safely stand and swim.
The name dates to the mid-1800s, when smugglers used the code word "chickens" to signal the arrival of enslaved people, bypassing the post-abolition ban. After slavery ended in Brazil in 1888, the fishing village grew slowly until tourism developed the area beginning in the late 20th century.
Fishermen take travelers out to the reef pools on traditional jangadas, flat wooden rafts balanced on bamboo logs, used for swimming and snorkeling trips. The craft have changed little over generations and remain part of everyday coastal life, as locals continue to rely on them for work and subsistence.
The pools are best accessed at low tide, so checking tide times in advance helps visitors experience the water at its calmest. Water shoes are helpful, as some areas can be uneven or rocky, especially when wading to deeper pools.
At low tide, visitors can walk among the reefs and observe dozens of small tropical fish gathering in the warm shallow pools without needing to dive. The water is often shallow enough to sit comfortably while fish swim around legs and feet.
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