Beach
Praia de Lopes Mendes
Often rated among the best beaches in Brazil: a long stretch of fine white sand and clear green water on the island’s open Atlantic side. Great for walking and bodyboarding.
Beaches & Trails of Ilha Grande
The island has more than 100 beaches and a web of forest trails. Here are the ones worth planning your days around, with how to reach each.
Distances on Ilha Grande are measured in boat rides and walking hours, not kilometres. Some beaches are a short stroll from Vila do Abraão; others need a schooner trip or a serious hike through the Atlantic rainforest. Below we mix the unmissable beaches with the island’s classic trails so you can build a route that fits your time and fitness.
Beach
Praia do Pouso
The small ocean-side beach where boat taxis from Abraão drop you off for Lopes Mendes, with a well-known floating kiosk-restaurant moored just offshore. Calm, clear water and a short forest trail over the hill to Lopes Mendes.
Beach
Praia do Aventureiro
A wild, protected beach famous for its bent coconut palm leaning over the sand. Part of a sustainable-use reserve, with simple campsites and pousadas.
Beach
Lagoa Azul
A shallow, brilliantly blue lagoon on the calm north side, protected by rocks and islets. The island’s top snorkeling spot, teeming with fish.
Beach
Praia Preta
The closest beach to Abraão, with dark sand rich in minerals and the ruins of the old aqueduct behind it. Easy and family-friendly.
Beach
Praia de Dois Rios
A broad ocean beach on the far side of the island, framed by two rivers. Site of the former Cândido Mendes prison and a small museum.
Must-see
Beach
Lagoa Verde (Cachadaço)
Emerald-green natural pools sheltered by rocks and tiny islands off the south coast — calm, shallow and full of fish, one of the island’s finest snorkeling stops.
Beach
Praia de Palmas
A calm, leafy beach on the trail between Abraão and Lopes Mendes, with a small fishing community and gentle, clear water — a natural rest stop on the T10 hike.
Beach
Saco do Céu
A deep, sheltered cove on the north side whose mirror-still water reflects the sky at dusk — hence the name, “bag of sky”. A classic sunset and kayak spot.
Beach
Praia da Feiticeira
A pretty, quiet beach just south of Abraão, with a short forest trail up to the Feiticeira waterfall — an easy half day of beach plus a freshwater dip.
Beach
Araçatiba
A wide, calm bay on the south coast with a traditional fishing village, pousadas and seafood restaurants — a peaceful alternative base to Vila do Abraão.
Beach
Praia de Parnaioca
A wild, near-deserted ocean beach beyond Dois Rios, once a fishing hamlet — strong surf, a river and total solitude for those who make the long trek.
Beach
Grumixama
A tiny rock-framed cove with astonishingly clear emerald-green water and dense Atlantic forest right behind it — a favourite snorkelling stop on the island's boat tours, calm and full of fish.
Beach
Praia do Camiranga
A quiet, calm-water beach of golden sand on the island's sheltered north side, with a little wooden jetty and a wall of rainforest and palms behind it — a peaceful stop away from the crowds.
Beach
Praia do Dentista
The famous beach on Ilha de Cataguás, with shallow turquoise water and a fish-filled natural pool — one of the most popular snorkeling stops on the bay-islands tour.
Point of interest
Ilha de Cataguás
A small island in the Angra bay ringed by clear turquoise water and rocky, jungle-clad points — home to Praia do Dentista and a classic snorkeling stop.
Beach
Praia do Amor
A tiny, sheltered cove on the south side with calm, clear water — a quick, pretty stop on the half-island boat tours.
Beach
Praia dos Meros
A small, quiet beach on the wild ocean side of the island, a snorkeling stop on the full-island loop.
Beach
Praia da Piedade
A calm beach among the bay islands, with clear water good for swimming and snorkeling — part of the paradise-islands circuit.
Point of interest
Ilhas Botinas
Two little green islets rising straight from turquoise water — a scenic snorkeling stop in the Angra bay, with no beach to land on.
Point of interest
Ilha de Jorge Grego
A rugged island off the exposed southern coast, with deep-blue water and seabirds — a dramatic, weather-dependent stop on the Super Sul run.
Point of interest
Gruta do Acaiá
A sea cave where the water glows turquoise, reached by boat and usually paired with the classic lagoons. Small entrance fee and a tight entry.
Trail
Trail T10 · Abraão to Lopes Mendes
The island’s classic hike, winding through rainforest and past smaller beaches (Abraãozinho, Palmas, Mangues) before reaching Lopes Mendes.
Trail
Pico do Papagaio
A demanding climb to a rock summit at around 980 m, famous for sunrise views over the whole bay. Many hikers go before dawn with a guide.
Trail
Abraão Historic Circuit
An easy loop taking in the Lazareto quarantine ruins, the old aqueduct and the Feiticeira waterfall — a good first walk to get your bearings.