Praia do Paiva, Coastal beach in Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Brazil.

Praia do Paiva lies in Cabo de Santo Agostinho, 28 km from Recife, where a dense band of coconut palms backs light-coloured sand and blue water. Offshore reefs break the waves, forming small natural pools that make swimming easier at low tide.

The sources document no settlement history for Praia do Paiva; the beach lies in Cabo de Santo Agostinho, 28 km from Recife. Its documented historical marker is the Festa da Lavadeira, a popular event first held in 1987 that has drawn growing numbers of tourists each year.

The Festa da Lavadeira, held at Praia do Paiva since 1987, is one of the region's largest popular celebrations and draws growing numbers of visitors each year. The event takes its name from the washers who once laundered clothes at the beach.

The beach lies 28 km south of Recife, in Cabo de Santo Agostinho. Swimming is best at low tide, when reefs form shallow natural pools; at high tide the open water is rougher. The Festa da Lavadeira, held annually since 1987, draws large crowds.

During low tide, natural pools form among the coral reefs, creating protected areas for swimming away from the strong ocean waves.