Ilha do Arvoredo, Island in Santa Catarina, Brazil
Ilha do Arvoredo is a small island off the coast of the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, near the town of Bombinhas. It belongs to an archipelago that also includes Ilha Deserta, Ilha do Galé, and Calhau de São Pedro.
The island was historically used by local fishermen before it became a protected area. In 1990, the Reserva Biológica Marinha do Arvoredo was established to protect the marine ecosystem around the archipelago.
Ilha do Arvoredo is part of the Reserva Biológica Marinha do Arvoredo, one of the few fully protected marine reserves in southern Brazil. The waters around it draw divers who come to see sea turtles, reef fish, and rocky underwater formations up close.
Access to the island is strictly regulated, and visitors are not allowed to come ashore without prior authorization. Organized boat tours from Bombinhas or Florianópolis allow travelers to explore the waters around the archipelago without disturbing the protected zone.
On clear days, the island is visible from the beaches in the north of Florianópolis as a green shape on the horizon. Although it looks close, it remains off-limits to most visitors, making it one of the few truly protected islands along the southern Brazilian coast.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
