Ilhabela, Archipelago destination in São Paulo state, Brazil
Ilhabela is an archipelago off the coast of São Paulo state, made up of several islands with São Sebastião as the main inhabited landmass. The islands sit about 6 kilometers from the mainland and are covered in dense Atlantic rainforest that runs down steep slopes and valleys to sandy beaches.
An expedition led by Amerigo Vespucci reached the archipelago on January 20, 1502, naming the main island after Saint Sebastian. Over the centuries, the island evolved from a sugarcane plantation area to a fishing village and later into a tourism destination.
Indigenous sambaqui communities inhabited these islands for over 2000 years, leaving traces of their presence through shell collections and ceramic artifacts.
A ferry connects the mainland in São Sebastião with the island, running regularly throughout the day with crossings taking about 15 minutes. Most beaches and waterfalls are located along unpaved roads or hiking trails, so sturdy footwear is useful for exploring away from the main towns.
The archipelago holds around 360 waterfalls scattered across its territory, which flow more strongly during rainy days. Many of these waterfalls are only reachable on foot through the rainforest and form natural pools at the base of the rocks.
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Praia de Castelhanos
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Praia da Feiticeira
9.1 km
Bonete Beach
15.7 kmBarequeçaba
9.7 km
Ilhabela State Park
8.4 kmPico do Baepi
2.8 km
Sede da Fazenda Engenho D’Água
1.8 km
Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Ajuda
133 m
Cadeia e Fórum de Ilhabela
152 m
Historical Center - Historical Archive
5 kmSede da Fazenda Santana
4.7 km
Phare de Ponta das Canas
5.8 km
Casa com Teto Pintado
5 km
Ilhabela Nautical Museum
142 m
Convento Franciscano de Nossa Senhora do Amparo
5.6 km
Centro Histórico de São Sebastião
5 km
Igreja Matriz
5.1 km
Laje dos Moleques
7.9 kmPico de São Sebastião
11.1 kmFundação Museu de História Pesquisa e Arqueologia do Mar
7.2 kmCapela de São Gonçalo
5.3 kmCasa de Câmara e Cadeia de São Sebastião
4.9 kmAntigo Praia Hotel
5 kmMuseu Náutico de Ilhabela
6.2 kmCentro de Biologia Marinha
4.3 kmMuseu de Ciências, Tecnologia e Variedades Emília Lence Carluci
5.2 kmAquário de Ilhabela
5.1 kmCasa das Janelas
4.9 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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