Porto De Pedras: Manatee Tour, River Crossing and Beach

Porto De Pedras can be explored through three very different experiences: a guided manatee tour on the Rio Tatuamunha, the ferry across the Rio Manguaba and Praia da Croa do Tubarão. Each offers a distinct focus: the river, wildlife observation and a protected beach landscape. This raises a practical question for planning your trip: are you mainly looking for a guided activity, would you like to include a river crossing, or are you drawn to a beach with natural pools and sandbanks? Your answer can also help you choose a holiday apartment in Porto De Pedras based on the experiences you want from your trip.

Manatee tour on the Rio Tatuamunha

A 2022 ICMBio visitor report describes the established manatee-watching tour as part of regulated, community-based tourism. It takes place in non-motorized jangadas and is obligatorily accompanied by a guide. At the time of the report, the tour was operated by the Porto De Pedras-based Associação Peixe-Boi. The boats stop near the enclosures at the ICMBio base in Porto De Pedras. If you plan to take the tour, confirm the current arrangements before your trip. This will help you account for the guided nature of the activity in your plans.

River crossing by ferry

The Porto de Pedras to Japaratinga ferry serves a different purpose. It crosses the Rio Manguaba, avoiding a long detour over land. For passengers, a brief view of the calm water and banks with typical vegetation is part of the experience. Unlike the manatee tour, the focus here is on crossing the river; the jangada ride is geared towards wildlife observation. The ferry therefore combines a practical crossing with a brief glimpse of the landscape. If you include this connection in your plans, check its operation locally.

Praia da Croa do Tubarão at low tide

Praia da Croa do Tubarão offers a third kind of experience: the beach is largely deserted and protected. At low tide, natural swimming pools appear, alongside extensive sandbanks. Tide times are a practical consideration for your visit if the pools are what interest you most. In that case, take low tide into account and check the suitable tide time. The focus here is not on a guided tour or a river crossing, but on the beach landscape with its pools and sandy areas.

Passarela do Peixe-Boi

Another crossing over the Rio Tatuamunha is the wooden bridge “Passarela do Peixe-Boi”, located in Porto De Pedras. It was reported as completed in 2021 and was intended to provide a route for tourists to reach the manatee sanctuary. Its intended role therefore differs from that of the guided boat tour: the bridge was meant to provide a way to the sanctuary, while the tour takes visitors onto the river to observe manatees. If you would like to include the bridge in your visit, confirm its current condition in advance.

These experiences offer different priorities for planning your trip: guided wildlife observation, a river crossing with views of the landscape, or a beach whose natural pools depend on the tides. Consider which experience you would most like to shape your stay when choosing your holiday apartment in Porto De Pedras.

Discover more destinations: São Sebastião, São Miguel Dos Milagres, Barra De Santo Antônio, Maceió, Atalaia, Piranhas, Campo Alegre, Cajueiro

For the broader travel overview: Alagoas.