Santa Luzia Island, Sergipe: Travel Guide and Things to Do

Published on August 28, 2014 · Updated on October 2, 2026

Home » Sergipe Travel Guide » Discover Santa Luzia Island: A Comprehensive Travel Guide to Sergipe

In this travel guide, you’ll discover what to do on Santa Luzia Island, in the municipality of Barra dos Coqueiros, in Sergipe. The island is home to the beaches of Atalaia Nova, Costa and Jatobá, just 1 km from Aracaju, separated from the capital of Sergipe only by the River Sergipe. This natural paradise combines almost untamed beauty with a tourist infrastructure that is still under development.

Ilha de Santa Luzia em Sergipe — Santa Luzia Island in Sergipe

Landscapes and Nature

As well as its beaches, the region is rich in mangroves, rivers and stretches of coastline facing the Atlantic Ocean, with scenery that enchants any visitor. The island’s almost untamed beauty of the island, combined with the basic infrastructure already in place, makes it an ideal retreat for fishermen, surfers and nature lovers.

Accessibility

The municipality of Barra dos Coqueiros boasts an extensive stretch of beach, with several semi-deserted sections amidst coconut groves and mangrove swamps. For those looking for livelier nights, the trip over to Praia da Atalaia, the busiest beach in Aracaju, is the most convenient option.

Videos about Santa Luzia Island and Barra Grande in Sergipe

Ilha de Santa Luzia em Sergipe02:42

Barra dos Coqueiros - Drone05:04

Things to Do on the Island of Santa Luzia: Top Attractions

The Island of Santa Luzia boasts a range of tourist attractions that delight visitors:

1. Beaches

The island’s beaches — Atalaia Nova, da Costa and do Jatobá — are perfect for sunbathing, swimming and relaxing, with fine sand and calm waters.

2. Natural Beauty

Surrounded by rich biodiversity, the island is an ideal setting for nature lovers and photographers, with mangroves, rivers and stretches of native woodland running alongside the Atlantic Ocean.

3. Surf

The waves off Capuã Beach attract surfers looking for good conditions to practise the sport.

4. Boat Trips

The boat crossing, on the traditional “tototó”, offers a unique experience of sailing along the River Sergipe, with fine views of the landscape between the island and the capital.

5. A Haven for Fishermen

The island also serves as a meeting place for local fishermen, who find it a peaceful and ideal spot for fishing.

How to Get to the Island of Santa Luzia

The João Alves Bridge, which links Aracaju to Barra dos Coqueiros, is one of the main routes into the Santa Luzia Island area — the journey by car takes around ten minutes. Another, more traditional option is to cross the River Sergipe by boat, on the well-known “tototó”. This rustic vessel takes its name from the sound of its engine; it departs every 15 minutes and charges a fare of just R$ 1 — the crossing itself takes just over five minutes.

Practical Information and Useful Links

How to get there: by car, via the Construtor João Alves Bridge (about 10 minutes from Aracaju); by boat, on the ‘tototó’, which runs frequently and costs R$ 1 per crossing.
Combine with other destinations: whilst you’re there, why not also visit Pirambu, further north along the Sergipe coast, or Ponta dos Mangues Beach, in the Santa Isabel Biological Reserve.
More extensive itinerary: check out the complete guide to Sergipe to plan the rest of your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get to Santa Luzia Island from Aracaju?

You can get there by car via the Construtor João Alves Bridge, which takes about ten minutes to cross, or by boat on the traditional ‘tototó’, which crosses the River Sergipe in just over five minutes and costs R$ 1.

Is Santa Luzia Island far from Aracaju?

No. The island is just 1 km from the centre of Aracaju, separated from the capital only by the River Sergipe, which makes it easy to fit the trip in, even during a quick day at the beach.

Which beaches are on Santa Luzia Island?

The main ones are Atalaia Nova Beach, Costa Beach and Jatobá Beach, all of which have fine sand and calm waters, as well as the Capuã Beach area, which is more popular with surfers.

Is Santa Luzia Island a good place for surfing?

Yes. The Capuã beach area is well known amongst local surfers for its good wave conditions, which is one of the reasons why the island has gained a reputation as a surfer’s paradise.

Is it worth taking the bus rather than driving?

For those who aren’t travelling by car or want to experience the local way of life, yes: the ‘tototó’ is cheaper, quicker for crossing the river and is part of the region’s tradition, although the Construtor João Alves Bridge is the most practical option for those travelling by car.

Is it possible to combine a visit to Santa Luzia Island with other excursions on the same trip?

Yes. Many visitors take the opportunity to continue their journey to Pirambu, further north, or to include Santa Luzia Island in a more comprehensive itinerary along the coast and through the interior of Sergipe.

Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →