Ecoparque Peixe Boi Marine Institute

Recife

ADDRESS End of Estrada do Forte, Praia do Forte, Recife, The-North-Coast---Itamaraca Directions

At a glance

Ideal for
BackpackersFamilies With ChildrenMature Travellers
Type
Family attractions
Features
NatureOff The Beaten Path
Price
$$$$ Affordable
Local tip
Save the Mannatee - learn about and support their work. Make sure to include this worthwhile add-on for the family on any trip to the historical Itamaraca island and its beaches.

The Itamaraca Peixe Boi Marine mammals institute is dedicated to the recovery and rehabilitation of mannatees, a docile and lovable marine mammal native to most of the Americas. The popular name 'Peixe Boi' literally means 'Bull fish', due to their size of up to half a ton.

They are totally vegetarian and a highly endangered species, with as few as 400 surviving in the wild along the tropical coastline of South-East and North-East Brazil up to the Amazon basin.

Many mannatees are found by the public and conservationists after being injured by fishing and propellers in the estuaries of the region and are brought to the Ecoparque by the environmental agency ICMBio.

It is a fun and educational activity for the whole family and conveniently situated near to the Praia do Forte beach and Forte Orange on the historical Itamaraca island on north-coast from Recife. Great to make for a different and diverse day trip or longer to the region.

Apart from the main attractions, the tanks with the mannatees, there is a cinema showing educational films and a gift shop onsite with lots of fun souvenirs.

Photo credit: Le Roc (CC)

Top Things To Do in Recife

See All →

Top Things To Do in Recife

Click to See All

Trusted local guides, read by millions every month

  • 2006 online since
  • 27.8M page views a month across the network
  • 14 languages

180+ destination guides, one network

Every guide covers a single destination on its own website, with events, restaurants, things to do and places to stay chosen from local recommendations.

My Guide Network Locations

Nearby Destinations

Also nearby: My Guide ArgentinaMy Guide TenerifeMy Guide Peru

See all destinations

Add to your trip
Day {[{day.day}]} {[{day.dateFormat}]}
MorningAfternoonEvening

Add your travel dates so we can place this on the right day, or save it for later.

Add to day {[{trip.popover.day}]}Add to trip Cancel
Added to your trip Added to day {[{trip.toast.day}]}, MorningAfternoonEvening Saved to your trip Already in your trip Transfer saved to your trip Save your trip to get fresh suggestions Staying in {[{trip.toast.label}]} Base cleared Trip deleted Link copied Could not save your trip Something went wrong, please try again