Pocinhos is a hidden gem on Pernambuco's north coast that can only be reached by boat. Here is how Alice and I sailed there, and why it belongs on your Brazil itinerary.
Forty-Three Years in Pernambuco Without Sailing Once
I lived in Pernambuco for 43 years and had never sailed. Not once. Not at Cabanga, not in Itamaracá, nowhere. I had to move to Montreal, leave the Atlantic behind and begin missing that warm ocean with no snow and no wetsuit before finally stepping onto a sailboat in my own homeland.
It is the kind of irony only emigrant life reveals when we return home and rediscover what we left behind.
Sailing in Maria Farinha: What Porto de Galinhas Lost and the North Coast Preserved
Before discussing the sail itself, I need to explain the destination. Maria Farinha is one of those places that only begins to make sense after you arrive.
People from Recife sometimes turn up their noses at the north coast and choose Porto de Galinhas instead. I used to understand that. Then I stopped. Porto de Galinhas conquered the world but lost its peace. For now, Maria Farinha still preserves what the other destination gave up: quiet.
Infrastructure is still developing, which may discourage anyone who wants convenience ready-made. But Alice and I habitually escape mass tourism, so that is precisely the attraction. The local winds and coastal geography also create nearly ideal conditions for learning on smaller sailboats.
Getting There and Facilities in Maria Farinha
📍 Address: Estrada de Nova Cruz, 50, Nova Cruz, Igarassu, Pernambuco, 53660-000
Maria Farinha is about 40 km from Recife via BR-408 toward Igarassu. By car, allow around 45 minutes depending on traffic. That may sound far for a few hours out. My honest answer: it depends on how much you value a morning at sea without a high-powered speedboat roaring beside you.
Arriving at Marina Porto Horizonte, Velejando PE’s base, calms logistical concerns. Parking is available, the space is organized and Catamaran Praia Beach Club next door can serve as your base before or after sailing. Ask Ítalo how best to use the facilities.
We did not have time for the beach club, but my next Brazil visit is already planned in my head: sailing in the morning and the beach club in the afternoon.
Velejando PE: A Family Business, 18 Years of Experience and 1,000 Students
I found Velejando PE on Instagram while researching water activities on Pernambuco’s north coast. The difference was immediate: well-produced videos, genuine reviews and professional communication. Other local organizations, including Cabanga Yacht Club, focus more on experienced sailors and ocean navigation. That was not what I needed.
Velejando PE is family-run. Founder and instructor Ítalo Silva has sailed for 18 years, beginning with legendary Brazilian Olympic sailor Lars Grael, and has taught more than 1,000 students.
His brother Fernando Silva is a partner and co-instructor with 12 years of experience. He also leads a social sailing project for children in Itamaracá in partnership with UFPE. They clearly chose to make sailing more than a profession.
The company offers complete sailing courses, private or two-person lessons, individual trial classes, and a three-hour sightseeing sail. With limited time during a family visit, we chose the tour.
Our Day at Sea: Sunday Sun, Low Tide and an Unplanned Destination
We scheduled 8 a.m. and were aboard the Day Sailer by 8:30, already a good sign of how Ítalo runs the business.
💡 My timing recommendation: go in the morning at low tide. It directly affects the routes available, and the best destination in my opinion only exists within that window.
Routes depend on tide and wind:
- Coroa do Avião: a sandbank between the mainland and Itamaracá Island, with calm clear water. I had visited once by catamaran.
- Itamaracá Island: sailing along the historic island’s south side, with Fort Orange views and passage through the Santa Cruz Channel.
- Pocinhos: shallow, transparent natural pools formed at low tide. It is only available then and was Ítalo’s first suggestion.
We chose Pocinhos. It was the only place on the north coast I still did not know.
Pocinhos: The Natural Pool Local Skeptics Need to See
I know the local skepticism, so I will be direct: Pocinhos dismantles every argument against the north coast.
The boat leaves Maria Farinha through a channel and sails for roughly 30 minutes in a good wind. Silence. Only the inflated sail and water cut by the hull. No engine, exhaust or noise normally associated with a boat tour. That was when I understood how sailing changes our relationship with the sea.
When we reached the coral banks and their low-tide pools, Alice and I went quiet. The water really was crystal clear. I use that adjective sparingly because it appears in every travel article, but here it is literal. The water is shallow enough to stand in, marine life surrounds you, and unlike Porto de Galinhas, you do not compete with dozens of tourists.
⚠️ This is not Coroa do Avião, which is beautiful too. Pocinhos is more intimate and quieter. Very few boats were there that day. A floating bar provides facilities for visitors staying until the tide changes, and we saw some group-transport boats, but that was not our style.
Ítalo anchors and gives you time to enjoy the pools while respecting the safe return window. He adapts the experience to the day’s conditions. Our 30 minutes there passed far too quickly.
It Was So Good That I Returned
A few days before flying back to Montreal, I took the trip again, this time with my father.
He was born and raised in Pernambuco and knows the state better than most people, yet had no idea Pocinhos existed. At the natural pools, his reaction mirrored mine: silence first, then one sentence that summarized everything.
“I never imagined we had this here.”
The second trip felt different. There is something special about showing something new to someone you assume has seen everything, especially your father after 75 years on the road.
Practical Information and Contact
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | Velejando PE |
| Website | velejandope.com |
| @velejandope | |
| +55 81 99548-8722 | |
| Address | Estrada de Nova Cruz, 50, Nova Cruz, Igarassu, Pernambuco |
Three-hour sightseeing sail:
- R$550 for a group of up to three people
- Three hours of sailing aboard a Day Sailer
- Safety equipment included
- Coroa do Avião, Itamaracá or Pocinhos depending on tide and wind
- Booking through WhatsApp
Complete sailing course:
- R$1,600 for eight practical lessons plus one theory lesson, 16 hours total
- Individual two-hour trial lesson: R$300
- Up to five credit-card installments
🕒 Best time: morning at low tide, especially for Pocinhos.
💡 Extra tip: ask Ítalo about the beach club beside the marina and combine both experiences into a comfortable full day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need sailing experience?
No. Ítalo handles the helm throughout the sightseeing tour while you enjoy the scenery.
How many people fit aboard?
The Day Sailer accommodates four, though three is ideal and worked perfectly for us.
How long does it last?
Three hours including the outward sail, time at the destination and return.
How do I choose between Pocinhos, Coroa do Avião and Itamaracá?
The tide decides. Pocinhos is only accessible at low tide, so book a morning and confirm conditions with Ítalo.
Can children participate?
Yes, but confirm based on the child’s age and the selected route.
Is it suitable for reduced mobility?
Boarding requires balance and physical effort. The low hull has no handrail, so anyone with limited mobility or knee problems should speak with Ítalo before booking.
What about seasickness?
The Day Sailer is stable for its size, but it still rocks and heels with the wind, and passengers change position while sailing. Anyone prone to motion sickness should consider medication. Our calm-water trip was smooth, but conditions vary.
Is there a shark risk at Maria Farinha?
Risk is considered low. Maria Farinha lacks the geography of Pernambuco’s critical beaches; the deep channel used by large sharks lies farther south near Recife’s port. Shallow water and reefs form a natural barrier. Standard precautions still apply: avoid murky water, dawn and dusk, and swimming with open wounds.
Is It Worth It? Our Direct Verdict
For anyone wanting to sail in Maria Farinha or experience something different on Pernambuco’s north coast: yes, absolutely. It is one of the best investments of time and money during a Recife visit. Velejando PE’s five-star Google rating is no accident.
For ocean adventure, certified technical training or racing, Cabanga better matches that profile. For everyone else, Ítalo and Velejando PE combine professionalism, extraordinary scenery and the feeling that you found something most people have not discovered yet. Go before they do.
🌎 Have a great trip, and see you on the next adventure!
Here at Worth Visiting?, we believe every destination has a unique story to tell, and we want to inspire you to live yours. Keep exploring with curiosity, respect and the touch of planning that turns any trip into an unforgettable experience. See you at the next destination!
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