Natural Pools
Tour to Praia do Seixas: natural pools and easternmost point
How the tour to Praia do Seixas in João Pessoa works, the best time based on the tide table and what to bring.
By Affonso Murillo Soledade de Oliveira · 8 min read · updated 2026-05-14
Praia do Seixas: where the sun rises first in the Americas
Praia do Seixas is at the easternmost end of João Pessoa, marked by the same geographic point as the Cabo Branco Lighthouse — the place where the sun first rises across the entire American continent. It's a beach with dark green water, without the tourist-shoreline structure, with fishermen, boats and a more preserved environment. The beach itself is the starting point for the tour — what attracts visitors most is a few hundred meters from the coast, on the coral reefs that form the natural pools.
Seixas natural pools: how they work
Between Seixas and the open sea there's a line of coral and sandstone reefs. At high tide, those reefs stay submerged and the sea behaves normally. At low tide, the reefs emerge or sit just below the surface, forming natural pools with warm, transparent and relatively calm water. Depth varies — in some pools you stand, in others you need to float. The fauna is rich: it's possible to see clownfish, urchins, corals, colorful reef fish and, depending on tide and season, even rays.
What to do at Seixas besides the pools
For those not entering the water, Seixas has the Marco Zero das Américas — a monument marking the easternmost point of the continent. It's a photogenic destination loaded with geographic significance. The Cabo Branco Lighthouse, next to Seixas, is also a viewpoint over the Atlantic. Praia do Seixas has simple beach huts and a calm environment — no resorts or intense tourist infrastructure.
When to go: the tide defines everything
Visiting Seixas without low tide doesn't have the same effect. At high tide, the pools stay submerged and the boat tour loses much of its appeal. The tide table is the calendar that governs departures — and the low tide time changes daily. Before confirming any visit to Seixas, it's essential to check the table for your day. Murillo does this as part of the confirmation process: no departure is confirmed without verifying that the tide will be good.
How the organized tour to Seixas works
The organized tour departs from Praia do Seixas by boat or jangada. The route to the reefs takes a few minutes. At the reef, you can enter the water with a snorkel mask, walk on the exposed reefs and explore the pools. [TO CONFIRM WITH MURILLO: total tour duration, what's included — mask, vest, boat — and exact departure point]. Life vests are available onboard. The tour is preferably done early in the morning when low tide is in the morning, or in the afternoon when the window falls in the afternoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Seixas far from the center of João Pessoa?
Praia do Seixas is at the easternmost end of João Pessoa, near Cabo Branco, about 10 km from the city center. Access is by road and the beach itself is calm, without the bustle of the main shoreline. The organized tour includes transport to the beach and the boat to the natural pools.
Does the tour to Seixas include cylinder diving?
The standard tour to Seixas includes snorkeling in apnea — you dive at the surface with a mask. Cylinder diving is a different modality, available as a separate tour. [TO CONFIRM WITH MURILLO: availability of cylinder diving at Seixas and conditions]
What's the ideal time to visit Seixas?
The ideal time depends on the day's tide table. Low tide can happen in the morning or afternoon — and this varies daily. The rule is: go at low tide. Murillo checks the tide table before confirming any departure.
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