São Miguel dos Milagres & Manatee Sanctuary from Maragogi

What happens when you cross the Manguaba River to find manatees in a mangrove?

You travel by air-conditioned vehicle from your Maragogi hotel to São Miguel dos Milagres beach, cross the Manguaba River by ferry, and take a slow raft ride through mangrove to visit the manatee sanctuary with a professional guide. The day ends with a return to your hotel in late afternoon, and the whole trip is planned around keeping visitor numbers low so the animals and habitat stay protected.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tour to São Miguel dos Milagres and Manatee Sanctuary

• Depart from Maragogi hotel
• Travel ecological route to São Miguel dos Milagres
• Cross ferry on Manguaba River
• Arrive at São Miguel dos Milagres beach support point
• Enjoy beach and local structure
• Visit Tatuamunha River in Porto de Pedras
• Take raft tour to manatee preservation sanctuary
• Return to Maragogi hotel

The Experience

The drive out of Maragogi takes you through a landscape that doesn't look like much at first — flat, sparse, coconut palms stretching toward the horizon. But that's the point. You're heading toward São Miguel dos Milagres, and the emptiness is part of what makes it work. Your guide picks you up from your hotel in the morning, and the route itself becomes the first part of the experience: the ferry crossing over the Manguaba River that splits two municipalities, the small villages that appear and disappear, the sense that you're moving away from the usual tourist circuit.

Once you reach São Miguel dos Milagres beach, you have the full structure of the place to use — shade, facilities, time to sit with the water in front of you. But if you've booked the manatee option, you'll also head to Porto de Pedras, where the Tatuamunha River runs through mangrove. That's where the raft comes in. It moves slowly through the trees, and the guides take you to the manatee sanctuary — a preservation area for the peixe boi, the docile mammal that's threatened with extinction. The number of visitors is kept small on purpose, so the habitat stays intact. You're not watching animals in a tank; you're in their space, and the difference matters.

The whole day runs from morning until late afternoon, and your return to Maragogi is included. The vehicle is air-conditioned, the guide is accredited, and if you need wheelchair access or have children, you can arrange that when you book — just let them know your hotel in Maragogi at the time of reservation.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Maragogi in an air-conditioned vehicle, a professional accredited guide for the full duration, ferry crossing over the Manguaba River, access to the beach facilities and natural landscape at São Miguel dos Milagres, and if you've booked the manatee option, a raft ride through the mangrove to the peixe boi sanctuary at Porto de Pedras.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transport

Operated by Costazul Turismo e Receptivo

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see both a quiet beach and a working manatee sanctuary in one day without arranging transport or navigating the route yourself — the small visitor numbers are what keep the habitat intact, which is why the timing and guide matter.

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Top questions

How long is the full day tour?

It runs from morning until late afternoon. The exact pickup and return times depend on your hotel location in Maragogi, which you confirm at booking.

Is the manatee sanctuary included, or is it optional?

The manatee visit is optional. You can book the tour to São Miguel dos Milagres beach alone, or add the manatee sanctuary visit at Porto de Pedras with the mangrove raft ride.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from my hotel?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Maragogi are included. Tell them where you're staying when you book.

Is the tour accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes. The vehicle and transportation options are wheelchair accessible. Inform the operator at the time of booking so they can confirm the specific stops and facilities.

What's the ferry crossing like?

The ferry crosses the Manguaba River, which divides the municipalities of Japaratinga and Porto de Pedras. It's part of the route to São Miguel dos Milagres and takes a short time.

Can I bring children?

Yes. Children are welcome. If you need a highchair, there's a fee of 50% of the adult price — select another child ticket and note it at booking.

What's included in the tour price?

Air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, professional accredited guide, and access to the beach facilities at São Miguel dos Milagres. The manatee sanctuary visit (if booked) includes the raft ride through mangrove.

Why is the visitor number limited at the manatee sanctuary?

The sanctuary is a preservation area, and keeping visitor numbers low protects the natural habitat of the manatees and the mangrove ecosystem.

What's the landscape like on the drive?

Mostly flat and sparse — coconut palms, small villages, and open space. The route crosses the Manguaba River by ferry and passes through the ecological route known for its contrast between emptiness and natural beauty.