Praia de Lopes Mendes, Sandy beach in Ilha Grande, Brazil

Praia de Lopes Mendes is an expansive sandy beach along the coast of Ilha Grande with light-colored sand and clear water ideal for swimming and surfing. The shoreline extends over several kilometers, offering plenty of space for water activities and beach exploration.

The sources record no colonial harbour or change of ownership for this beach. Lopes Mendes lies on the ocean side of Ilha Grande, in Angra dos Reis municipality, Rio de Janeiro state, and is uninhabited, backed by dense restinga vegetation with many abricó trees. Its open-ocean swell long kept it without regular boat landing; visitors now reach it on foot from Vila do Abraão via Palmas and Pouso, about two hours through forest, or by excursion boat when the sea is calm.

The beach draws locals and visitors who swim, surf, or spend time by the water following the rhythm of seasons and weather. Social life here centers on water-based activities and outdoor gatherings rather than permanent settlements.

Most visitors reach the beach on a forest trail from Enseada das Palmas, about two hours on foot from Vila do Abraão via the beaches of Palmas and Pouso. Boats also run from Vila do Abraão around the eastern end of the island when the sea is calm. Strong surf makes landing difficult, though boats can dock on the left side of the beach in calmer water.

Lopes Mendes has no permanent residents, and its only buildings are none: the beach is backed by restinga vegetation with many abricó trees. Boats can rarely land on the open-ocean side because of the surf; calmer water allows landing at the left end of the beach.