Coroa do Avião, a little island in Pernambuco's northern littoral

The State of Pernambuco has a total of 12 islands, some of which are fluvial, oceanic, or coastal. For example, the capital city of Recife is born on one of these islands; the "Ilha do Recife," where the Old Recife neighborhood is located. Another amazing example is the Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, which is considered the most beautiful beach in all the world (according to some travel magazines). Today I'll talk about the little island called Coroa do Avião, which is located between the Island of Itamaracá and the municipality of Igarassu, at the northern littoral. 

With approximately 2 hectares of land - 560 meters long and 80 meters wide -, it is basically an overgrown sandbar with small buildings. Until the 1970s, the island was a sandbar that emerged only at some periods of the day, at low tide. But through the years, with the constant accumulation of sandy sediments brought by the sea and the Santa Cruz River, the island started to stabilize and grow its own vegetation.

Coroa do Avião may not be the biggest island in the region, but it has a unique energy. It is the kind of place you can go on a Sunday morning to enjoy the day with your family. At the beach, the water is calm and warm. Furthermore, rustic restaurants of the area serve mostly seafood and drinks.

How to get there

First, you have to go to Itamaracá or Igarassu. For both destinations, you have a public transportation option (bus), departing from the center of Recife. If you go by car, take the north direction through the highway, and you are going to see it. The roads are very well signalized, so it will not be a problem. 

The access to the island, though, is made by small motor rafts from the "Praia do Forte," located next to the Fort Orange, in Itamaracá Island, or from "Mangue Seco" beach on Igarassu, the mainland - this route costs not more than ten reais (or 2,5 euros). Keep in mind that there you can rent a jet-ski or a speedboat to make a little trip around the region for a very fair price. Depending on the date, the cost can variate, but for sure it will not be more than 100 reais per person (or 25 euros).

Food and Drinks

The food specialty at Coroa do Avião is the fried fish with salad. But as in all beaches in Pernambuco, like Boa Viagem Beach, you can also find shrimps, oysters, and my favorite: "Caldinho", a kind of soup served in a cup, usually made with black beans, fish or shrimps. For a drink, I would recommend a beer - typically the Brazilian beers are light and served very cold, which suits very well the situation.

Enjoy a unique Brazilian experience by the beach!  Coroa do Avião is definitely worth a visit!