Maracajaú Reef: Catamaran Dive & Snorkel Day Trip from Natal

Summary

Snorkeling Maracajaú’s reefs by catamaran with local lunch

You’ll ride from Natal to Maracajaú Beach with hotel pickup, then board a catamaran for snorkeling over bright reefs at Parrachos de Maracajaú. Expect laughter with your local guide, fresh seafood lunch right on the sand, and plenty of moments where time slows down—you might even lose track of it altogether.

What’s the experience like?

“You’re going to love this,” our driver said, grinning as we left Natal behind. The road north was quiet, just sugarcane fields and that salty air sneaking in through the window. I kept checking the sky for rain but it stayed stubbornly blue. When we finally reached Maracajaú Beach, I could smell grilled fish somewhere nearby—maybe someone’s lunch already started. Our guide, Ana, waved us over to the catamaran like she’d been waiting all morning. She joked about my sunhat (too floppy?) and handed out snorkels that still smelled faintly of rubber and seawater.

The boat ride out to Parrachos de Maracajaú was louder than I expected—kids shrieking every time a wave splashed up, some older guys singing softly in Portuguese at the back. There’s something about being out on that flat turquoise water that makes you forget what time it is. Ana pointed at the horizon where the reef breaks showed up as pale lines under the surface. “That’s where you’ll see the real colors,” she promised. And she was right—the coral looked almost fake, like someone had painted it on purpose. I lost track of everyone else for a while, just floating above those little fish darting everywhere. Water tasted a bit briny when I laughed underwater (don’t recommend).

Lunch was simple—rice, beans, some kind of grilled fish that Ana called ‘peixe do dia’—but honestly after swimming it tasted perfect. We sat under a palm roof with sand sticking to our legs and watched local kids chase each other past our table. Someone tried to teach me how to say Maracajaú properly (I still can’t), and Ana laughed when I gave up halfway through dessert. The tide shifted so fast that by late afternoon the beach looked twice as wide as before—never seen anything like it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Diving and snorkeling at Maracajaú

• Travel to Maracajaú Beach
• Board catamaran boat
• Dive at Maracajaú reef
• Snorkel in the reef area
• Enjoy local restaurant food

Top questions

How far is Maracajaú from Natal?

It’s about 65 km north of Natal by road.

Is snorkeling equipment included in this tour?

Yes, use of snorkeling equipment is included in the package.

Does this day trip include hotel pickup in Natal?

Yes, round-trip transfer from your hotel is included.

Are meals provided during the tour?

A restaurant serving typical food is available at Maracajaú Beach; lunch is part of the experience.

What type of boat is used for the reef trip?

The tour uses a catamaran to reach Parrachos de Maracajaú.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant travelers?

No, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers.

Is there a minimum fitness level required?

This tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip hotel transfers from Natal, all catamaran transport out to Parrachos de Maracajaú reef, use of snorkeling equipment so you don’t have to bring your own gear, plus day use at the beach base and a fresh local lunch before heading back in the afternoon.