The Ultimate Brazil Travel Guide: Ilhabela

What are the best beaches Ilhabela?

Ilhabela has a large number of beaches, each with a different vibe, activities, and accessibility. Some are located directly off the main road and are easy to reach, while others require hiking or a full-day trip. Choosing where to go depends on how much time you have and how far you are willing to travel.

Best easy-access beaches

If you are staying near Vila or Perequê or not travelling with a car, these are the most practical options.

• Praia do Perequê – the most central and easiest beach to access, best for short visits and sunset

• Praia do Saco da Capela – within walking distance of Vila, with calmer water and a more sheltered setting

• Praia do Itaguaçu – a quieter alternative between Perequê and Vila, suitable for a short stop

These beaches are convenient but tend to have lower water quality than beaches further from the centre.

Best beaches if you have a car

With a car, you can reach beaches that are less crowded and offer better water conditions.

• Praia do Julião – one of the most balanced options, with clear water and a smaller, more contained setting

• Praia da Feiticeira – accessed by a short trail, with a quieter and more enclosed environment

• Praia do Curral – more developed, with restaurants and facilities, but can be busy

• Praia do Jabaquara – further north, with a longer drive and fewer crowds

Best remote beaches that are worth the effort

Some beaches require more planning but offer a different experience.

• Praia de Castelhanos – located on the east coast, accessible by 4x4 or boat, and best visited as a full-day trip

• Praia do Bonete – more remote and harder to reach, typically by hike or boat, and better suited to longer stays

Which beaches to prioritise: What I would do

If you only have a short stay, it is better to really enjoy fewer beaches rather than trying to visit too many.

• 2 days: one central beach (Perequê or Curral), one quieter beach (Julião or Feiticeira), and visit one waterfall

• 3 days: add a day trip to Praia de Castelhanos or Praia do Bonete

My Top 10 Things to See & Do in Ilhabela

1. Hike to Cachoeira do Paquetá (Paquetá Waterfall): The waterfall has several pools suitable for swimming and natural rock slides.

2. Visit Cachoeira do Gato (Cat Waterfall): This 40 metre high waterfall is one of the largest on the island. Access is from Castelhanos Beach via a one kilometre trail.

3. Visit Cachoeira do Mosquito: A smaller but scenic waterfall found near the Bonete trail. It features a natural swimming hole and is less crowded than other waterfalls.

4. Snorkel with sea turtles at Praia da Fome or Praia do Oscar: These beaches are accessible by boat or trail and are known for clear water and marine life. Snorkelling near the rocks you can often see green sea turtles and tropical fish.

5. Go rock climbing or abseiling with a local guide: Book activities through operators such as Ilhadventure, which offer guided rock climbing and abseiling routes suitable for various skill levels. Ilhadventure is an excellent local guide.

6. Relax at Praia do Curral: One of the most visited beaches in Ilhabela, it offers calm waters suitable for swimming, beachfront restaurants and facilities including parking and rental chairs.

7. Take a 4x4 trip to Praia de Castelhanos: Accessible by a 22 kilometre unpaved road through Ilhabela State Park. The beach is known for its surf waves, surrounding trails and nearby attractions such as Cachoeira do Gato. The journey requires a 4WD vehicle or a guided jeep tour.

8. Hike the Bonete Trail: A 12 kilometre trail leading to Bonete Beach, considered one of the most remote and scenic beaches in Ilhabela. The trail passes through rainforest, rivers and several waterfalls including Cachoeira do Areado.

9. Visit the Ilhabela Historic Centre (Vila): This area includes the colonial-era Igreja Matriz, small museums, artisan shops and restaurants.

10. Try stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking at Praia do Perequê: This centrally located beach offers calm waters suitable for beginner paddlers. Equipment rentals and lessons are available along the beachfront. The area is also known for beach volleyball and evening food trucks.

Is Ilhabela worth visiting?

In my experience, Ilhabela is best suited to travellers looking for nature and quieter beaches rather than an easy beach holiday. It is less developed than many coastal destinations and requires more effort to reach, but that also means it feels less crowded in many areas.

It is a good option if you want access to waterfalls, hiking trails, and beaches that are harder to reach. It suits travellers who are comfortable renting a car or spending time getting around the island.

It is not the best choice if you want a simple trip with minimal logistics, or if you are sensitive to mosquitoes, which are a consistent issue across the island.

Compared to Ubatuba, Ilhabela requires more effort to access due to the ferry, but it tends to feel more contained and easier to navigate once you are there. Ubatuba has a larger number of beaches and is easier to reach by road, but can feel more spread out.

For most travellers, Ilhabela is worth visiting if you are prioritising nature, hiking, and have at least a few days to explore different parts of the island.

How many days do you need in Ilhabela?

Most poeple will need at least 3-4 days to see Ilhabela properly. While the island is not that large, travel times between beaches, the ferry crossing, and access to more remote areas mean that short trips can feel rushed.

2 days in Ilhabela

Two days is enough to see the main highlights, but you will need to prioritise. In practice, this usually means:

• arriving early to avoid ferry delays

• visiting beaches closer to the main town

• choosing one or two key activities, such as a waterfall or boat trip

You are unlikely to explore the more remote parts of the island, particularly areas that require longer drives or more planning.

3 days in Ilhabela

Three days allows for more activities. With an extra day, you can:

• explore both the northern and southern parts of the island

• include a more time-intensive activity such as a boat trip or hiking trail

This is a great option for most visitors who have a long weekend.

4 days or more

Staying longer is ideal, if you want to focus on doing a variety of outdoor activities and really getting to know hte island. Longer stays are great for:

• hiking multiple trails, or going rock climbing

• visiting more remote beaches

• taking day trips by boat

• travel at a slower pace without needing to rush