In the sea arround the beaches of Pirangi do Sul and Pirangi do Norte, divided by the Rio Doce on the division of the cities of Nísia Floresta and Parnamirim, the Litoral dos Golfinhos (Coast of the Dolphins), has a formation of coral reefs, better known as the Parrachos de Pirangi. It is the nearest coral reef to Natal, also the oldest formation, and in terms of tourist visitation, beyond being the closest to the coast and appropriate for visitation of seniors and children.

These parrachos have a length of approximately one kilometer and have stretches where the present width is between 400 to 500 meters, occupying more than 40 thousand square meters of area, with a distant little less than two kilometers from the beach. In contrast to the other coral formations, during low it is possible to walk on the coral. An entire block emerges in this period, allowing long and pleasant walks.

It is a safe stroll. In the rocks almost no oysters exist (as they could cut the feet of the strollers). The only concern is that some unevennesses exists between blocks of rocks. The part most interesting is the natural swimming pools, where the water is renewed each full tide. The depressions accumulate the water of the sea, forming swimming pools, whose temperature, heated by the sun, arrives at warm levels, which creates a pleasant bath.

As waters are imprisoned, small fish also do not leave and some swimming pools are transformed into aquariums. The good thing is that you can swim along side of the peixinhos, as already they are accustomed to the presence of human beings. For those that like adventure and emotion, there are the divings, in larger and deeper areas that are six to seven seven meters deep, from one to, through tunnels formed by nature. They only must follow a guide who knows the area and already has experience in leading tourists. It is not advisable for those who never dived, or does not know the area or those that have problems with breathing.

The parrachos of Pirangi are such an attraction, during the summer season, that they receive an average of 400 people per day, between tourists and natives who go to fish or to amuse themselves on rafts, yachts and windsurf. The most experienced fishermen use to advantage the nights without moon to fish. They take torches or lanterns and walk in the parrachos in search of lobster, the octopus, the ouriço and even fish. The light of the torch enchants the fish and they do not run away

Before being an attraction for the tourists, the parrachos were noted for two beaches of Pirangi as a place of fishing and diversion. Today, twenty years later ther are one of the greater and most important attractions for tourism in the region of Greater Natal.

To enjoy the beauty of the seas to the south of Natal, two hours are sufficient, for the less demanding. The time allows walking in the parrachos and the boat ride along the coast at it goes from the beach of Búzios to the beach of Cotovelo.

In the parrachos, the boat stays anchored approximately one hour. The descending is made by small ladders in a region where the depth of the sea is about 50 centimeters. That is, it is necessary to use shorts and bathing suit or biquíni.

Later, eight or ten meters, with the water level descending, you arrive at the parrachos. You can enjoy swimming, walking and diving until the commander of the boat sounds a siren informing that the “good good” is finished

There is an hour of navigation along the coast. The first destination is the beach of Búzios, where the guides announce - for incredulity of all -, that the waters along the beach are not salty. It is there that some fresh water lodes appear.

And to prove that the phenomenon is not just the guides tale, they conclude that the old inhabitants on that beach were supplied with `fresh` water, by digging small cacimbas along the edge.

After Búzios comes Pirangi do Sul. At its end a dark water spot invades the sea at times green and at times blue. It is the Rio Doce, that serves as the division or limit between two cities of Pirangi and announces Pirangi do Norte. The enormous apartment buildings, with more than twenty floors, located in an area next to the coast they disclose where some natalense spend their summers or that already are starting to live.

The beautiful mansions constructed between Pirangi and Cotovelo make of the beach of the Ponta do Flamengo, that is a particular sea front almost full of reefs. It is this tip which is known as the second point closest to the African continent. The first one is in the Cabo de São Roque, on the north potiguar coast.

After the cove of Cotovelo, all the attention comes back toward a formation of barriers, high and purple, that arrive until the waters edge. We are in the Barreira do Inferno, where access is forbidden. There the Centro de Lançamentos de Foguetes (Center of Rocket Launchings) is located.

In the two hours of the passeio, the boat also has bar service, with coconut and mineral water, refrigerants, beer, ula-ula and caipirinha and table full of `tira gostas`, that are being consumed by the tourists. It is a real party.

The largest company of leisure tourism and nautical entertainment on the south potiguar coast is Marina Badauê, responsible for the passeio. The baptism of the name of the company was very suggestive, Marina Badauê, the Marina, for the condition of activity of sea side and Badauê, that is a greeting of African origin. The website of Marina Badauê is www.marinabadaue.com.br