Praia do Presídio, Coastal beach on Anchieta Island, Ubatuba, Brazil.
Praia do Presídio is a sandy beach on the eastern side of Anchieta Island with clean water and a natural setting for swimming and sunbathing. The shore includes a simple information pavilion and small exhibition that present details about the island's past and ecology.
The island was a prison site for many years, holding inmates until a major uprising in 1952 led to the closure of the facility. After the shutdown, the island became a protected area and later transitioned into a destination for visitors and nature conservation.
The beach carries its name from the island's past as a prison site, and visitors can still see traces of this history in the ruins and structures that stand on the grounds today.
Reach the beach only by boat from the Ubatuba coast, with tours departing regularly during operating hours. Bring sunscreen and water, as the beach has limited facilities and the sun here is intense.
The ruins of the island's former prison, closed after a deadly inmate rebellion in 1952, can still be visited on guided tours. Guides accompany the schooner excursions that leave from Saco da Ribeira and Itaguá, and a trail from the beach leads to Praia do Sul, whose clear waters are used for diving.
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