Published on August 31, 2013 · Updated on October 31, 2026

Home » Alagoas Travel Guide » South Coast of Alagoas: beach map, Gunga and Francês

The South Coast of Alagoas (Litoral Sul de Alagoas) runs from Maceió to the mouth of the São Francisco river and is known as the Lagoas e Mares do Sul (Lagoons and Southern Seas) region. There, for example, coconut groves, lagoons and rivers meet the sea at beaches such as Gunga and Francês. In addition, towns such as Marechal Deodoro preserve colonial churches, handicrafts and a cuisine made with what comes from the lagoons.

Map of the South Coast of Alagoas

First of all, the maps below show the beaches and towns of the South Coast of Alagoas, from Maceió to the São Francisco river. In general, the further south you go, the more deserted the beaches become.

Towns and beaches of the South Coast of Alagoas

Marechal Deodoro and Praia do Francês

About 30 km from Maceió, Marechal Deodoro was the first capital of Alagoas. In fact, its name honours the town’s most illustrious son, Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca, who proclaimed the Republic. Today, it has 60,370 inhabitants (IBGE 2022 Census) and a historic centre with churches and convents from the 17th and 18th centuries.

In 2006, the historic centre was listed as national heritage by IPHAN. Among the highlights, for example, are the Convento e Igreja de São Francisco and the house where Marshal Deodoro was born.

The town lies on the shores of Lagoa Manguaba, which, together with Lagoa Mundaú, forms a large complex of lagoons, channels and islands. The largest of these, in turn, is Ilha de Santa Rita. Also in the area, Massagueira is a famous food hub for seafood and lagoon dishes.

Praia do Francês, on the other hand, is the municipality’s postcard image. For this reason, it has the largest range of guesthouses and restaurants on the south coast. There, the reefs keep the sea calm and, at low tide, form natural pools further out. To reach them, many visitors use a board, a float or a stand-up paddle; however, watch out for the rocks.

Pilar

Litoral Sul de Alagoas: Paradisíacas Praias e Lagoas

About 42 km from Maceió, Pilar grew out of a sugar-cane mill and still preserves part of its old houses. Also, according to local tradition, the town was visited by Emperor Pedro II in the 19th century. Today, it has 35,370 inhabitants.

The main attraction, however, is nature. On the shores of Lagoa Manguaba, the town is surrounded by remnants of Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Forest), farms and mineral water springs. In addition, the calendar includes the Festival do Bagre, the Festival do Siri and the feast of the patron saint, Nossa Senhora do Pilar.

Barra de São Miguel

About 33 km from Maceió, Barra de São Miguel has 7,944 inhabitants and a good range of accommodation. Among the beaches of the South Coast of Alagoas, the best known in Barra are Conchas, Niquim and Praia do Meio. There, a barrier of reefs keeps the sea calm and crystal clear, which is great for swimming. In fact, at low tide the water becomes so still that natural pools form.

The Niquim and São Miguel rivers, in turn, are surrounded by mangroves. Moreover, from the Mirante Alto de Santana you can see where the river, the lagoon and the sea meet. Above all, Barra is also where the boats leave for Praia do Gunga, on the other side of the lagoon.

Roteiro and Praia do Gunga

Praia do Gunga lies in the municipality of Roteiro, where Lagoa do Roteiro meets the sea. Surrounded by coconut groves as far as the eye can see, it is, without a doubt, one of the most photographed beaches in Brazil. To get there, you have two options: by car, via Roteiro, or by boat, from Barra de São Miguel. In that case, the speedboat trip takes about an hour and, in general, stops at a natural pool and a sandbank.

Litoral Sul de Alagoas: Paradisíacas Praias e Lagoas

On the beach, there are also buggy or quad-bike trips to the colourful cliffs, about 13 km there and back. In addition, the route includes a small canyon and Lagoa Doce, where you can swim. The viewpoint, by contrast, on the edge of the AL-101 highway, is on private property and charges a small fee; even so, the view of Gunga and the lagoon is worth it. Finally, some beach stalls charge for day use, and the beach gets crowded on public holidays and during school holidays.

Roteiro, about 49 km from Maceió, has 6,474 inhabitants. The village, in turn, grew up around a chapel of Nossa Senhora do Livramento, built in the early 20th century.

Jequiá da Praia

About 65 km from Maceió, Jequiá da Praia has 9,470 inhabitants and became a municipality in 1995, under state law no. 5,675. The name comes from an Indigenous term that is said to mean “basket with many fish”.

Next, it is worth knowing that the municipality is surrounded by the Jequiá, Jacarecica and Azeda lagoons. In addition, it has rustic beaches, such as Jacarecica do Sul and Barra de Jequiá, as well as the Marapé dunes. Therefore, it is a destination of unspoilt nature, with simple guesthouses and restaurants.

Coruripe and Pontal de Coruripe

Pontal do Coruripe em Alagoas

About 85 km from Maceió, Coruripe has 50,414 inhabitants. According to tradition, the name comes from an Indigenous term for “river of frogs”. In the centre, meanwhile, the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceição holds old images of saints.

The highlight, however, is Pontal de Coruripe, a fishing village that has become a tourist destination. There, the lighthouse was built in 1948 to warn boats about the reefs. It is also worth seeing the handicrafts made by the fishermen’s wives from the straw of ouricuri, a local palm tree.

The other beaches are also beautiful. Lagoa do Pau, for example, lies north of the Pontal and has coconut groves and warm water. Miaí de Cima, meanwhile, has almost 7 km of sand that is nearly deserted, with a calm sea. Finally, Miaí de Baixo is similar, but it usually has bigger waves. To explore the coconut groves, a good idea is to go on a horseback ride.

Feliz Deserto

Litoral Sul de Alagoas: Paradisíacas Praias e Lagoas

More than 100 km from Maceió, Feliz Deserto has 3,963 inhabitants and became a municipality in 1960, when it split from Piaçabuçu. According to legend, a man named Domingos survived a shipwreck and found an image of Nossa Senhora Mãe dos Homens under a cashew tree. Happy to find it in such a deserted place, he supposedly gave the place its name.

In general, the Toco and Maçunim beaches are the most beautiful in the municipality. In addition, its handicrafts made from taboa straw are known throughout the country.

Piaçabuçu and Penedo

Further south, the coast ends at the mouth of the São Francisco river, in Piaçabuçu, with dunes and the meeting of the river and the sea. Then, heading up the river, the historic town of Penedo completes the itinerary.

Tips for the South Coast of Alagoas

• Base: stay in Maceió or at Praia do Francês and take day trips; for the south, however, spend at least one night in Coruripe.
• Transport: a car is the most practical option, since public transport between the towns is limited.
• Best time: in general, from September to March there is less rain and the sea is calmer; moreover, outside the holidays and long weekends the beaches are emptier.
• Tides: first check the tide table before going to the natural pools at Francês, Barra and Gunga.
• See also: the best beaches in Alagoas and the Maceió guide.

Frequently asked questions about the South Coast of Alagoas

What are the beaches of the South Coast of Alagoas?

The most famous are Gunga, Francês, the beaches of Barra de São Miguel and Pontal de Coruripe.

In addition, Jequiá da Praia and Feliz Deserto have almost deserted beaches.

Is Praia do Gunga in Barra de São Miguel?

No. Gunga is in the municipality of Roteiro, but many people get there by boat from Barra de São Miguel.

You can also go by car, via Roteiro.

How many days do you need?

In general, 4 to 5 days, staying in at least two places along the coast.

That way, you can see the main towns and beaches at a relaxed pace.

Do you need a car?

Yes, it is the most practical option, because the towns are spread out along the coast.

However, there are organised tours leaving from Maceió.

Can you visit Marechal Deodoro and Barra de São Miguel on the same day?

Yes, both are about 30 km from Maceió.

For this reason, it is easy to combine history, beaches and food in a single day.