Ilha Anchieta State Park, National park and nature reserve on an island near Ubatuba, Brazil
Ilha Anchieta State Park is a protected nature reserve and national park on an island off the coast of Ubatuba, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The island is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and combines seven beaches, rocky shorelines, dense Atlantic Forest, and the standing ruins of a former penitentiary.
Before European contact, the Tupinambá people lived on the island, which was later used as a military base and then as a prison until the mid-20th century. In 1977, the government designated the island as a protected area to end human occupation and allow the natural environment to recover.
Ilha Anchieta is one of the few places in Brazil where you can walk through the ruins of a former prison right inside a nature reserve. The old walls and cells are open to visitors, giving the island a layered character that mixes natural life with visible traces of human history.
The island is accessible only by boat from Ubatuba, and booking in advance is strongly recommended since visitor numbers are limited. Wear sturdy footwear for the trails and bring water and sun protection, as shade can be scarce along the coast.
The park has an underwater snorkeling trail marked with signs below the surface, guiding visitors along a set route to observe marine life. This kind of underwater path is rarely found in Brazilian state parks.
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