At low tide, the Parrachos of Maracajaú turn into natural pools. This makes the water level an important factor when planning a reef visit. Besides the reef, there are activities in the dunes and on Lagoa Piracabus, which depend on different conditions.
The Parrachos and the tides
The Parrachos de Maracajaú are natural pools formed by a coral reef seven kilometers off the coast. At low tide, they become pools with a depth of 1.0 to 3.0 meters. This depth range applies at low tide and does not describe a constant water level. The distance from the coast describes the reef’s location, while the depth range describes the condition of the pools at low tide. The Maracajaú reef is one of the three most important reefs in the Área de Proteção Ambiental dos Recifes de Corais (APARC), a protected area for coral reefs. Access to the reef is legally limited to about 650 visitors per day. Check the current access requirements before your trip.
Catamaran departures
Catamarans depart for the Parrachos in the morning; tides and operations can affect departures. When planning, departure time, tides and the legal daily limit are separate considerations: a morning departure does not indicate whether it is currently low tide, and the visitor limit applies to access, not to the depth of the pools. Check the specific departure for your travel date.
Maracajaú Diver boarding point
Maracajaú Diver’s boarding point is at Ma-Noa Park on Maracajaú Beach. As this arrangement may change, confirm the boarding location before your visit.
Quad biking and stand-up paddleboarding
Quad bike rides are offered in the dunes of Maracajaú, and stand-up paddleboarding is available on Lagoa Piracabus. Routes and availability for quad rides may change; for paddleboarding, water conditions and availability may also vary. The activities therefore involve different planning considerations: possible route changes for quad rides, and water conditions for paddleboarding.
Beach and Parrachos Praia Clube
After diving, thatched beach umbrellas and chairs are available on the sand at Maracajaú Beach; beach facilities and services may change. Parrachos Praia Clube has a pool, a swim-up bar, a massage tent and luggage storage. The club employs a chef who specializes in seafood. Facilities and services may change; check which ones are currently available before your visit.
Choose hotels based on your travel interests
When looking for a hotel in Maracajaú, you can first decide whether the reef visit or activities in the dunes and lagoon will be your main focus. For the reef, low tide, morning catamaran departures and the approximate daily limit all come into play; these factors relate to water level, departure and access. Routes and availability for quad rides may vary, while water conditions and availability matter for paddleboarding.
Discover more destinations: Extremoz, Pau Dos Ferros, Felipe Guerra, São Miguel Do Gostoso, Parnamirim, Pirangi do Sul, Zumbi, Maxaranguape
For the broader travel overview: Rio Grande Do Norte.
