Praia do Saco (SE, Brazil): How to Get There, Tours & Stays

Published on September 21, 2013 · Updated on October 19, 2026

Home » Sergipe Travel Guide » Praia do Saco (SE, Brazil): How to Get There, Tours & Stays

Praia do Saco lies at the far southern tip of Sergipe, in the municipality of Estância, right on the border with Bahia. With calm, crystal-clear waters, white sand dunes and coconut groves, it is also one of the most beautiful beaches on the southern coast of Sergipe.

In addition, the beach faces Mangue Seco, in Bahia, which you can reach in just a few minutes by boat.

Quick summary – Praia do Saco

Where it is: Estância (SE), on the border with Bahia, about 70 km from Aracaju.
How to get there: by car via the SE-100 highway, in just over 1 hour from Aracaju.
Highlights: dunes, coconut groves, Ilha da Sogra and, above all, the crossing to Mangue Seco.
Tours: speedboat, dune buggy rides and also the Lagoa dos Tambaquis, along the way.
Best time to go: from September to March, when it rains less.

Where is Praia do Saco

Praia do Saco is located at the southern tip of Sergipe, near the mouth of the river Real, which separates the state from Bahia. In fact, it belongs to the municipality of Estância and lies about 70 km from Aracaju.

Video about Praia do Saco

Praia do Saco SE - Drone01:51

Praia do Saco em Sergipe04:13

Mangue Seco e Praia do Saco03:18

Lagoa dos Tambaquis em Sergipe03:25

PRAIA DO SACO - Imagens aéreas dessa praia top em Sergipe

PRAIA DO SACO - Imagens aéreas03:07

Features of the beach

Praia do Saco is famous for its crystal-clear waters, its white sand dunes and its rows of coconut palms. Moreover, the cove stretches for about 5 km and has stretches of calm sea, ideal for swimming and for families with children.

Praia do Saco — clear waters, dunes and coconut grove

Beach layout and facilities

The beach has two parts. The first, closer to the access road, has most of the rustic beach huts and basic facilities. For this reason, it tends to get busier on weekends and public holidays. The second part, on the other hand, is more secluded and therefore suits those looking for peace and quiet.

The beach huts serve local dishes, fish and seafood. However, bring cash, because not all of them accept cards.

Speedboat tours: Ilha da Sogra and Mangue Seco

From Praia do Saco, speedboats depart for Mangue Seco, on the other side of the river Real, in Bahia. The crossing is quick and takes less than 15 minutes. There, the village has large dunes and became famous as the setting of the telenovela (TV soap opera) Tieta (1989), based on the novel Tieta do Agreste by Jorge Amado.

Another popular tour is Ilha da Sogra, a sandbank that appears in the middle of the sea at low tide. Since you can only get there by boat, the spot is usually quiet. Therefore, check the tide table and confirm the times with the boatmen or local agencies.

Dune buggy rides

Dune buggy rides are also popular. In general, they last about 40 minutes, but the duration varies depending on the route and the starting point. Before booking, agree on the route and the price with licensed buggy drivers.

On weekends and public holidays, book your speedboat and buggy tours as soon as you arrive, since demand is high.

Lagoa dos Tambaquis

On the way to Praia do Saco, still in Estância, you will find the Lagoa dos Tambaquis, one of the most famous attractions on the southern coast. There, visitors swim alongside tambaquis, large and docile Amazonian fish that swim freely in the lagoon.

The venue operates as a day-use restaurant, usually from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., depending on the season. While swimming, however, follow the venue’s instructions.

Lagoa dos Tambaquis — tourist attraction in the Abaís area

How to get to Praia do Saco

From Aracaju: take the SE-100 highway along the southern coast. The route is about 70 km long and, as a result, takes just over 1 hour.
From Salvador: take the Linha Verde (BA-099) to the north of Bahia. Then enter Sergipe and continue to Estância and Praia do Saco.
Day trips: in addition, agencies in Aracaju offer tours that include Praia do Saco, the Lagoa dos Tambaquis and Mangue Seco.

Accommodation and nightlife

There are guesthouses (pousadas) and holiday homes near the beach. On the other hand, the area has little nightlife. Thus, those looking for restaurants and bars usually stay in Aracaju and visit the beach during the day.

Practical tips

Best time to go: from September to March, when it rains less. In contrast, rain is more frequent from April to August.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, a hat, footwear for the dunes and cash.
Tides: before going to Ilha da Sogra, first check the tide table.
Safety: finally, respect the signs and the guides’ instructions, and avoid isolated areas at night.

Frequently asked questions about Praia do Saco

Where is Praia do Saco?

Praia do Saco is located at the far southern tip of Sergipe, in the municipality of Estância, about 70 km from Aracaju.

In addition, it lies on the border with Bahia, opposite Mangue Seco.

Can I go to Mangue Seco from Praia do Saco?

Yes. In fact, the speedboats cross the river Real in less than 15 minutes.

However, confirm times and prices with the boatmen.

What is Ilha da Sogra?

It is a sandbank that appears in the middle of the sea at low tide.

For this reason, you can only visit it by boat and at low tide.

How much does the buggy ride cost?

Prices vary depending on the route and the season.

So, agree on the duration and the route with the buggy driver before booking.

Is there accommodation at Praia do Saco?

Yes, there are guesthouses and holiday homes.

In high season, however, book in advance.

Can you swim with the fish at Lagoa dos Tambaquis?

Yes. The tambaquis swim freely in the lagoon, and visitors swim right alongside them.

Even so, follow the venue’s rules.

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 →