Ilha do Mel, Protected island in Paranaguá Bay, Brazil
Ilha do Mel is a forested island in Paranaguá Bay featuring sandy beaches along its coastline and dense Atlantic Forest covering its interior. The landscape combines open beach areas with wooded hillsides where small villages nestle among the trees.
The island gained protected status to safeguard its ecosystems and fishing heritage from industrial expansion. This protection reshaped how settlements developed and what activities could take place across its territory.
Fishing communities form the heart of daily life here, with families running small guesthouses and restaurants where visitors encounter genuine local hospitality. The way people move through the island reflects a rhythm tied to tides and seasons rather than schedules.
Boats carry visitors from the mainland in about 30 minutes from Pontal do Sul or roughly 90 minutes from Paranaguá. Daily visitor numbers are limited, so arriving early helps secure your spot on departure boats.
An 18th-century fort sits atop a hill, originally built to ward off pirates and protect trade routes. It remains one of Brazil's lesser-known monuments to maritime defense from that era.
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