Anyone planning to go to the beach in Maceió this weekend, September 19 and 20, 2026, should pay attention to the exact monitoring point in the bathing-water bulletin rather than only to the beach name. The latest survey cited by TNH1, based on data from the Alagoas Environmental Institute (IMA), identifies three beach sections in the capital as unsuitable for swimming: one in Pajuçara, one in Jatiúca and one in Cruz das Almas.
This does not mean the entire length of those beaches is closed or unsuitable. The result applies to the specific monitoring points identified by IMA. In the same bulletin, other points in Pajuçara and Cruz das Almas are classified as suitable, so checking the reference location is important before entering the water.
Which three sections are unsuitable in Maceió
| Beach | Reference point | Bulletin status |
|---|---|---|
| Pajuçara | Avenida Dr. Antônio Gouveia, opposite Restaurante Parmegiano | Unsuitable for swimming |
| Jatiúca | Avenida Álvaro Otacílio, opposite Hotel Maceió Atlantic | Unsuitable for swimming |
| Cruz das Almas | Opposite Condomínio Solaris | Unsuitable for swimming |
In Pajuçara, the monitoring point at the intersection of Avenida Dr. Antônio Gouveia and Rua João Carneiro was classified as suitable. In Cruz das Almas, the sections opposite Ritz Residence and Leroy Merlin were also considered suitable. This difference within the same beach shows why the classification should be read by monitoring point.
When the samples were collected
According to the report published on September 18, samples for the survey were collected on September 13 and 14, and the bulletin was released on September 17. For the Maceió points, sampling took place on Monday, September 14. The bulletin is therefore a useful reference for the weekend, but it describes conditions found in collected samples rather than a real-time reading.
Twenty points were monitored in the capital. The reported breakdown was 16 suitable points, three unsuitable beach sections and one unsuitable point in the Pratagy River at the AL-101 Norte bridge. The river point is not included in the count of the three unsuitable beach sections.
How to check the updated bulletin before leaving home
The safest approach is to confirm the information directly through IMA channels, especially if it rains or if the visit is after this weekend. The institute maintains its Beach Bathing-Water Quality page and the Nossa Praia app, which shows suitable and unsuitable locations with weekly updates based on the official bathing-water reports.
- Open IMA's beach bathing-water page or Nossa Praia.
- Find the most recent report available.
- Check the report date and sampling date.
- Locate the exact beach point using the address or reference shown.
- Confirm whether the point is classified as suitable or unsuitable before swimming.
This check matters because conditions can change from one week to another and because long beaches can have different classifications at different monitoring points.
What an unsuitable classification means
Bathing-water assessment follows the criteria in CONAMA Resolution No. 274/2000. The rule classifies waters used for primary-contact recreation as suitable or unsuitable based on microbiological parameters and other conditions that may pose a risk to swimmers. The criteria consider results from a series of samples and can also classify a location as unsuitable when the latest sample exceeds specific microbiological indicator limits.
In practical terms, an unsuitable classification is a warning not to enter the water at that monitoring point while the classification remains in effect. It should not be read as an aesthetic assessment of the beach or as a diagnosis of the entire shoreline.
If it rained, use extra caution
IMA recommends avoiding swimming in areas directly influenced by rivers, channels and streams and, where watercourses may carry contamination, during the 24 hours after rainfall. Rain can increase the transport of contaminating material into the sea.
For that reason, even a point classified as suitable in the bulletin deserves renewed caution if heavy rain occurs after sampling. In that situation, the latest official bulletin should be considered together with current local conditions and official guidance.
Other Maceió points in the survey
In addition to the three unsuitable sections, the publication reports suitable classifications at monitored points in Pontal da Barra, Praia da Avenida, Ponta Verde, Jacarecica, Guaxuma, Garça Torta, Mirante da Sereia and Ipioca. Because the result refers to specific points, visitors should use the bulletin to identify the monitored location closest to where they plan to enter the sea.
Weekend summary
- Avoid the Pajuçara section opposite Restaurante Parmegiano.
- Avoid the Jatiúca section opposite Hotel Maceió Atlantic.
- Avoid the Cruz das Almas section opposite Condomínio Solaris.
- Do not assume the entire beach is unsuitable: check the exact monitoring point.
- Before leaving, confirm the latest IMA or Nossa Praia report, especially after rain.
