Maragogi is a beach town on the north coast of Alagoas, between Maceió and Recife, and it is known for one thing above all: the galés. These are natural pools in a coral reef about six kilometres offshore, which become shallow enough at low tide to stand in, with clear turquoise water and shoals of reef fish.
Boats and catamarans go out to the galés from the town beach, but only when the tide is low enough, so check the tide tables before you book. The reef is part of the Costa dos Corais marine protected area and access is limited each day, which keeps the crowds in check.
On land, Maragogi is a small, straightforward town with a long beach. The prettier stretches are just north, around Antunes and Barra Grande, where coconut palms come down to the sand. It is also an easy base for the quieter Rota Ecológica to the south, around São Miguel dos Milagres.