Stand on the sand at Calhetas, where coconut palms lean over rocks and the water is clear enough to see the bottom, and you understand why people come to this stretch of coast south of Recife. The municipality mixes a working port at Suape with a run of tropical beaches and a handful of old sugar-cane estates and colonial ruins.
It suits travellers who want beach time with a side of history, and surfers and divers looking for warm water and consistent conditions.
1. Calhetas Beach
Calhetas sits between rocks and coconut trees and is much frequented by people interested in diving. It has bars and restaurants, and it is a hotspot for underwater fishing.
Combine it with the surf breaks at Arrisca Tudo, which the source lists among the spots that show good waves. The best surf season is winter, with south and southeast winds blowing during that time.
2. Gaibu Beach
Gaibu has high waves and a long 3-km stretch of sand. It is good for swimming, but bathers should beware of deep areas, and at high tides it is good for surfing. The beach has several hotels, hostels, bars and restaurants.
Because it has the widest range of places to stay and eat, it works well as a base. The source names Gaibú among the reef breaks that show good waves in the winter surf season.
3. Paraíso Beach
The name means heaven, and the beach is tiny, about 30 meters long, sitting between large rocks. The sea near this beach is almost completely protected from waves by reefs, which is how it got its name.
Go when you want calm water rather than surf. Pair it with the other beaches along the same stretch of coast.
4. Paiva Beach
Paiva is a favoured destination for those wishing to practise surfing. It has warm, crystal clear waters, Atlantic forest vegetation and coconut trees, and small natural pools formed between the rocks.
As yet it does not have a visitors service, but there is a mall, a large hotel and a whole new residential neighbourhood. Laje do Paiva is named in the source as one of the reef breaks that shows good waves in winter.
5. Itapuama Beach
This two kilometer-long beach is a much sought after site for water sports and fishing. It has hotels, bars and restaurants.
Itapoama is also listed among the beach and reef breaks that produce good waves during the winter season, so it suits both a lazy beach day and a surf session.
6. Xeréu Beach
The depth of the water makes this beach suitable for diving and also for fishing. Its sand contains volcanic rocks, and bathers have access to tents where snacks and seafood dishes are served.
Come hungry and plan to eat on the sand. The source also names Pedra Preta among the breaks with good winter waves.
7. Suape Beach
Suape beach has virtually no waves and the sea is shallow, which makes it excellent for water sports. At low tide there are sand banks.
It is located in the Suape region near the industrial and port complex of Suape, so it pairs naturally with a look at that part of the municipality.
8. Enseada dos Corais Beach
The name means coral bay. The beach has natural reefs and gentle waves, and services are restricted to a handful of bars and restaurants.
Bring what you need, since facilities are limited. It is a quiet counterpart to the busier beaches nearby.
9. Engenho Massangana
Engenho Massangana is a beautiful sugar-cane plantation house. The abolitionist Joaquim Nabuco spent his childhood here.
It is the strongest of the historic sites for a visitor with an interest in the region's past. Pair it with the other plantation house, Engenho de Nossa Senhora da Madre de Deus.
10. Engenho de Nossa Senhora da Madre de Deus
This is a sugar-cane plantation house, the second of the two estates named in the source.
Visit it alongside Engenho Massangana to see how the sugar economy shaped this part of Pernambuco.
11. Our Lady of Nazareth Church (Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré)
It sits in the Nazaré area, which also holds the Fishermen Museum and the fortress ruins, so the three can be seen together.
12. Castelo do Mar Fortress Ruins
These ruins are also known as Nazareth Fortress (Forte Nazaré).
Combine them with the church and the Fishermen Museum, all in the same part of the municipality.
13. Fishermen Museum (Museu do Pescador)
The museum is in Vila de Nazaré. The source gives a telephone number for it: (81) 3512-7011.
It fits neatly into a walk around the Nazaré historic sites. Call ahead if you want to confirm access.
14. Carmelite Convent Ruins
These are the ruins of a Carmelite convent, listed among the historic sites of the municipality.
Add them to the same history-focused outing as the church and the fortress ruins.
15. Medicinal Clay Pond
The Medicinal Clay Pond is listed among the other attractions of Cabo de Santo Agostinho.
It is a natural feature rather than a built site, and it works as a stop on a day that already includes the beaches.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Calhetas Beach, where the water is clear and the rocks and coconut trees frame the sand. If you surf, the source notes that Arrisca Tudo at Calhetas shows good waves in winter.
Afternoon: Move on to Gaibu Beach for its long stretch of sand, then continue to Paraíso Beach for the small, reef-protected cove. Both are on the same run of coast, so the transitions are short.
Evening: Return to Gaibu Beach, which has several hotels, hostels, bars and restaurants, for dinner and a place to stay.
When is the best time to surf in Cabo de Santo Agostinho?
The source states that the best season is winter, with south and southeast winds blowing during that time. Beach breaks and reef breaks are available at places such as Itapoama, Gaibú, Laje do Paiva, Pedra Preta and Arrisca Tudo at Calhetas.
Which beaches are best for diving and fishing?
Xeréu Beach is suitable for diving and fishing because of the depth of the water, and its sand contains volcanic rocks. Calhetas is much frequented by those interested in diving and is a hotspot for underwater fishing.
Where can I see the historic sites?
The historic sites include Engenho Massangana, Engenho de Nossa Senhora da Madre de Deus, the Castelo do Mar Fortress Ruins, also known as Nazareth Fortress, the Our Lady of Nazareth Church built in 1579, and the Carmelite Convent Ruins. The Fishermen Museum is in Vila de Nazaré.
Which beach is calmest for swimming?
Paraíso Beach is almost completely protected from waves by reefs, and Suape Beach has virtually no waves with shallow water and sand banks at low tide. At Gaibu Beach, bathers should beware of deep areas.
Use this list to sketch your own route along the coast and through the historic sites, and start planning your trip to Cabo de Santo Agostinho.