A popular boat trip is the 9 Island excursion in Lake Mundaú, which leaves from the Pontal da Barra area (the southern tip of the city) and takes passengers up the waterways past nine different islands and a couple of beaches (with stops for swimming). It’s R$25 per person. Different tour agencies provide slight variations on the same trip. Check out Pôr do Sol Turismo (Rua Alipio Barbosa 421, Pontal da Barra, tel. 82/3336-3038), and Marcão Turismo (Rua Residencial Repouso da Gávea 24, Pajuçara, tel. 82/3231-0843, www.turismomaceio.com.br).

Eco Aventura (tel. 82/9341-9896, henrique@master-mcz.com.br) takes small groups on a 4-wheel-drive through the countryside and sugarcane fields to the Carro Quebrado Beach. Gato do Mato (Rua Nova Brasilia 242, Cruz das Almas, tel. 82/9972-0902, www.gatodomato.com, reservas@gatodomato.com) offers a series of high-adventure trips, including rappelling, mountain biking, kayaking, and hiking.