Located on the north coast of São Paulo, the name Ilhabela already means and confirms that the city is beautiful by nature. It is no coincidence that the main island of this archipelago (São Sebastião Island) is listed as a State Park.
Ilhabela is famous for water sports, especially sailing – the constant winds that blow in the San Sebastian Canal make the North coast beaches perfect for the activity.
Charm is also a hallmark of the region, with cozy inns, restaurants, handicraft shops and cafes in the streets around the village, as the trendy little center is called, the meeting point for all tribes after the beach.
The paradise-like atmosphere of the island is due to the scenery framed by the blue sea, mountains covered with native Atlantic Forest vegetation, waterfalls – there are more than 300 – and beaches with golden sand and crystal clear waters such as the popular ones in Curral and Perequê. There are countless sights and possibilities to enjoy this paradise that is also the Capital of Sailing in Brazil.
Its history is marked from the presence of pirates and corsairs, to the sinking of transatlantic ships that rest in the sea around Ilhabela.
Tours in Ilhabela – São Paulo
Historical, Geographical and Archaeological Institute of Ilhabela
Inaugurated in 2006, the site brings together artifacts collected during research at archaeological sites in Beautiful island.
It is possible to see pre-colonial pieces in chipped or polished stone, indigenous ceramics and other objects from the time of European colonization. The exhibitions make it possible to recover the history of the occupation of the island.
Diving in Ilhabela
This archipelago has dozens of shipwrecks – freighters, sailboats, tugboats and even ships (among them the “Príncipe das Asturias”, a luxury ocean liner that sank carrying 477 people in 1916).
The clear sea provides good visibility, impressing divers. But that's not all: fish, turtles and even dolphins and whales can be a gift to the adventurous tourist. It is in the south and east that most of the shipwrecks are found.
You can learn a little about the sport and go on an adventure with Narwhal (which even has its own inn for divers) and Colonial Diver. Best places are Ilha das Cabras, Portinho, Prainha, Praia Grande and Ponta da Sela.
Boat trips in Ilhabela
Boats and schooners take you to paradisiacal corners that are more difficult to access, such as Bonete, Saco do Sombrio, Baía dos Castelhanos, Enchovas, Serra and Fome beaches.
The tours, which last from six to nine hours, include stops for bathing and walking on deserted beaches.
Ilhabela State Park
Created to preserve what little remains of the Atlantic Forest in the State of São Paulo, the park, which covers about 80% of the archipelago, offers some signposted trails that allow the observation of rare flora and fauna in Brazil.
Tour guides lead the visitor on the journey.
trails
Another option for tours in Ilhabela is hiking on trails in the preserved forest, which lead to lookouts, waterfalls, water mines and natural pools in the State Park.
Some routes are long and with steep paths and require the accompaniment of an experienced guide.
Vila de Ilhabela
The village, the historic center of Beautiful island with its colonial-style houses and colors that enchant all tourists, it vibrates during the day, with its ice cream parlors and clothing and handicraft stores, and at night with its busy bars that only close in the morning.
Beaches of Ilhabela – SP
South side
Curral beach
It is the busiest in Ilhabela, with several restaurants and bars by the sea.
It is a relatively long beach (620 meters), compared to others on the island. It is seven kilometers from the ferry. The highlight is the stone at the end of the beach, on which a small chapel rests.
Veloso beach
One of the calmest in terms of visitation and water (the place is good for diving) is embellished by the surrounding rocks and trees.
Its sands are dark, but the sea is clean and clear. There are no kiosks. It is the last beach that can be reached by road, nine kilometers from the ferry.
Bonete Beach (southern end)
You have to be adventurous to reach this almost deserted beach, as access is via a four-hour journey or by boat.
After work, the reward: the landscape, one of the most beautiful in Ilhabela, has a river, waterfall and lots of forest.
North side
Pereque Beach
Those who like to swim in the sea can venture here. But she really isn't the best fit for the bath.
Its beauty attracts those looking to have a drink at dusk, or rest in its corners and carefully maintained gardens.
Jabaquara beach
Among the most beautiful in the municipality, this beach, 17 kilometers from the village, is surrounded by trees and cut by two streams.
The waters are clear and limpid, inviting the visitor to a delicious swim in the sea.
Viana beach
Take the kids and enjoy the charming look of this beach: countless rocks and yachts adorn its calm clear and shallow waters.
If you want shade, you'll have coconut trees. If you want to have a drink or snack on shrimp, you can take a few steps to the restaurant.
Praia do Pinto
Due to access being made from inside a condominium, this beach is not very busy. Good for those who want peace.
East Side
Castelhanos beach
The most extensive, the most talked about, the least visited. To get there, you must have a spirit of adventure from beginning to end: there are 22 kilometers of trail that can only be covered by 4×4 vehicles.
The lush landscape, which has two streams and a large waterfall, was a haven for pirates.
waterfalls
Toca Waterfall
Three meters high and with a natural slide 50 meters long, this is the most visited waterfall in Beautiful island. It houses a cave next to the waterfall, from which a river flows.
White Water Waterfall
There are more than 60 meters of drop, which can be seen from the car right after leaving the raft. In the past, it was she who moved the turbine of the plant that supplied energy to Beautiful island.
Cat Waterfall
The biggest waterfall in Beautiful island it is approximately 80 meters high, but the rocky wall through which the water falls is practically vertical. A large well, however, allows the bravest to bathe.
To get there, you need to walk the half-hour trail that starts at Praia dos Castelhanos.
Lage Waterfall
For the enjoyment of visitors, this waterfall reserves 30 meters of natural slide and several wells. If you manage to follow the “path of the waters”, you will reach the point where the river flows into the sea.
To get there, the adventurer must head south of the island, to the end of the road.
The waterfall is on the trail that joins Ponta de Sepituba to Praia do Bonete. It's at least a 30 minute walk.
Veloso Waterfall
Imagine a waterfall with three sides. Yes, here the river decided to flow through several rocky walls, allowing for three natural showers with a drop of more than 50 meters. Investing in climbing these walls is a good tip: after facing steep trails, the adventurer can relax with the view of the Canal de São Sebastião.
To get there, leave Praia do Veloso on a trail that takes about 30 minutes.
Areado Waterfall
Go forward only if you have a lot of breath. The trail that leads to Praia do Bonete can present you with a beautiful landscape: giant rocks and small streams and waterfalls.
How to Go to IlhaBela
To get to Ilhabela on Via Dutra, take Rodovia dos Trabalhadores (SP-170) and Rodovia Carvalho Pinto to São José dos Campos; then take Rodovia dos Tamoios (SP-099) to Caraguatatuba. Continue towards the city of São Sebastião, on the mainland, on the Rio-Santos Highway (BR-101).
Finally, take the ferry across the channel to Ilhabela. Coming from the cities of São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro via Rio-Santos, you arrive directly at the city of São Sebastião.
When to go to Ilhabela
The best time to visit the island is summer, for those who want to enjoy the beautiful beaches of the archipelago. But winter is also lively due to the Sailing Week, in July, and the Shrimp Festival, in August.
Where to stay in IlhaBela
Ilhabela has an excellent hotel infrastructure, with about five thousand beds, from five-star hotels with sauna, tennis courts, swimming pool, etc., to picturesque and romantic inns located next to rivers and waterfalls.
Where to eat in IlhaBela
A place that is used to receiving visitors from abroad could only offer very diverse gastronomic options.
In Ilhabela you can opt for fish with banana, very much like the caiçara people, or stews and moquecas, very much at the rhythm of the sea. But if you want to check out the high-end flavor, you'll also find Mediterranean and even Oriental-style restaurants.
During the year, the city is the scene of gastronomic events, receiving renowned chefs and gourmets. Most of the restaurants are located on the waterfront and the most refined ones are to the north.
Highlight for the Viana Restaurant, with its delicious crab shells, the Maison Joly with its romantic atmosphere, and the Atlantic with its originality. For those who want to eat well and spend little, the tip is to have lunch at Cura's Restaurant (Av. Princesa Isabel, 377 – Perequê): food by the kilo with various seafood recipes and desserts.
Climate
The average annual temperature in the region is around 18ºC – with a maximum of 27ºC and a minimum of 15ºC. The climate is temperate humid, with the rainy season comprising the months of September to December, and the driest season occurring between March and June.
Transport
The transfer in Ilhabela is easy, although in the high season or on long holidays, traffic is intense, especially in the area where the restaurants and bars are located.
Shopping
Rich and varied, Ilhabela's handicraft is the result of the creativity of the natives and also of artists from distant lands who chose the region to live. In the shops and ateliers throughout the village, shopping options range from papier-mâché sculptures to bamboo lamps, curtains, bags, paintings, etc. The raw material, always rustic and alternative, also includes shells, banana leaves, seeds and dry trunks. Good shopping can also be done at Shopping São Paulo, with bikini, accessory and home decor stores.
Tips
· Dinner at the Portinho restaurant, where a friendly couple welcomes you, with small tables, candles, tablecloths and flower napkins.
· Weekend at Bonetti beach, at Pousada do Canto Bravo as a suggestion. There is no light there, just candlesticks and the sea in front. You can only reach it by boat or walking for 3 hours. If you choose to walk, it's worth a swim in the waterfall of Laje.
· Go to Atlântico Bar, listen to live music and have a good Dry Martini.
· Sit on the beach of the corral and watch the sunset.
· Walk hand in hand through the friendly village and stop by Ponto das Letras for a coffee with the best brigadeiro on the north coast, enjoying the local books and magazines.
· Dinner at Pasta do Capitano: they serve delicious pasta. The suggestion is the Pasta del Nero, accompanied by a good wine.
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