You've planned a trip to Brésil and dream of setting sail to discover an island where you can escape and unplug for a few days? We present to you our favorite Brazilian islands, where it's wonderful to recharge in the heart of unspoiled nature. On the agenda: discovery of hidden natural gems where nature reigns supreme, both on land and at sea. Here's our selection of the 5 most beautiful islands in Brésil.

1. Ilha Grande

Ilha Grande is an island located off the coast of Rio de Janeiro State, in central-southern Brésil. Once, it was home to Dois Rios prison, a high-security penitentiary for the most dangerous criminals. Today, the island has turned to tourism. It ranks among Brésil's most beautiful islands thanks to its lush, wild nature and paradisiacal beaches fringed with turquoise waters.

Covered in dense vegetation, the island is home to one of the best-preserved remnants of Brésil's Atlantic humid tropical rainforest. The Parque Estadual da Ilha Grande was classified in 1992 by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve for the Atlantic Forest. This area is a refuge for many wild animal species, some of which are endangered, such as the magnificent frigatebird, brown howler monkey, maned sloth, red-browed amazon, and broad-snouted caiman. To discover this exceptional nature, visitors are invited to explore the 16 hiking trails that crisscross the island.

The waters surrounding the island are also renowned for harboring exceptional marine fauna. Besides corals and tropical fish, the seabed is home to fascinating species such as sea turtles, whales (southern right whale, humpback whale, Bryde's whale…), orcas, sharks, and dolphins. Perfect for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts!

What to do and see at Ilha Grande?

Among the must-dos and must-sees during a stay at Ilha Grande, we recommend:

• Climb Pico do Papagaio: at 1,031 meters altitude, it's the highest point on the island. You'll enjoy panoramic views over the lush nature that covers Ilha Grande;

• Explore the trails of Parque Estadual da Ilha Grande to discover natural treasures such as waterfalls, as well as local flora and fauna;

• Visit Gruta do Acaiá (Acaiá cave): this cave is renowned for its magical colors. Underground waters create an exceptional fluorescence phenomenon when they contact sunlight, revealing magnificent blue and green reflections;

• Go scuba diving or snorkeling at Lagoa Verde;

• Take a boat trip to discover the most beautiful beaches on the island and neighboring islets;

• Relax on Ilha Grande's paradisiacal beaches, such as Lopes Mendes, Aventureiro, Santo Antonio, Dois Rios, Parnaioca, Preta, Vermelha, Abraãozinho, Pouso, Sul, or Leste.

How to get to Ilha Grande?

To reach Ilha Grande from Rio de Janeiro, you must first travel to Angra dos Reis. Considered the main gateway to the island, this town is located about 156 km from Rio de Janeiro. You can get there by bus or private minibus from the capital. Once there, simply head to the port to board a ferry or speedboat heading to Ilha Grande. The crossing takes between 30 minutes and 1 hour 30, depending on the type of vessel.

2- Ilha de Tinharé (Morro de São Paulo)

Also known as Morro de São Paulo, named after the island's main settlement, Ilha de Tinharé is a vast island belonging to the Cairu archipelago, located off Salvador de Bahia, in northeastern Brésil. It's the largest of the three islands in the archipelago, the other two being Boipeba and Cairu.

The island is famous for its picture-postcard beaches, wild nature, bohemian and relaxed atmosphere, and lively nightlife. It attracts both Brazilian and international travelers. Its particularity? Motor vehicles are banned here, which helps preserve its authenticity. To ease baggage transport for visitors, locals came up with an original means of transportation: the famous wheelbarrow-taxis, colorful cart taxis.

Beyond its natural riches, Ilha de Tinharé possesses significant historical heritage from the colonial era. The island ranks among South America's earliest Portuguese settlements. It was discovered by Martim Afonso de Sousa in 1531, then occupied a strategic position for controlling the bay, becoming the scene of numerous conflicts between Portuguese, Dutch, and French forces. Today, it's still possible to admire remnants from this period, notably the ruins of a fort built in 1630, an 18th-century church, and the Fonte Grande, one of Bahia State's earliest water supply systems.

What to do and see at Ilha de Tinharé?

Among the must-sees at Ilha de Tinharé, we advise you:

• Visit the village of Morro de São Paulo: soak in the local atmosphere, visit the lighthouse and discover colonial remnants such as Fort Tapirandu, the Nossa Senhora da Luz de Morro de São Paulo church and the Fonte Grande fountain;

• Enjoy the beaches of Ilha de Tinharé: the east coast of the island is dotted with a succession of beaches numbered 1 to 5. The further you venture from Morro de São Paulo village, the more tranquility you'll find;

• Hike through the forest or stroll through the coconut groves that line the coast;

• Swim in the natural pools of Guarapua and Moreré;

• Go scuba diving or snorkeling around the island;

• Zip-line from Morro de São Paulo lighthouse down to First Beach (Primeira Praia);

• Watch the sunset from Fort Tapirandu while trying to spot dolphins;

• Take a boat tour around the island or to neighboring Boipeba island;

• Enjoy the lively nightlife of Morro de São Paulo village, where the party goes on every evening.

How to get to Ilha de Tinharé?

Several options are available to reach Ilha de Tinharé from Salvador de Bahia:

• Take a flight from Salvador's international airport (approximately 20 minutes flight time);

• Board a boat from the Mercado Modelo port on Salvador de Bahia's waterfront (between 30 minutes and 2 hours crossing depending on whether you choose a ferry or speedboat);

• Combine ferry and minibus: take a ferry to Bom Despacho port on Itaparica island, then a bus or minibus to Bom Jardim maritime terminal, from where a speedboat departs for Morro de São Paulo (allow more than 3 hours 30 total travel time).

3 - Fernando de Noronha

The island of Fernando de Noronha belongs to the archipelago of the same name, located off Natal, in northeastern Brésil. Discovered in 1503, the Fernando de Noronha archipelago was once an important trade point between Brésil and Europe. It successively served as a penal colony, political prison, and American military base during both world wars and the Cold War. Today, it constitutes one of the country's most emblematic tourist destinations and a must-visit in the Brazilian Northeast.

The archipelago consists of 21 islands, with Fernando de Noronha being the largest, though it covers only 18 km². It's the only permanently inhabited island. Its steep landscapes and wild beaches attract nature lovers from around the world. Locals even nickname it "Esmeralda do Atlântico", meaning "the Atlantic's Emerald".

Thanks to its exceptional ecological richness, the Fernando de Noronha archipelago was classified as a Marine National Park in 1988, then inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.

The island is also renowned as one of the world's best diving sites. More than 230 fish species and 15 coral species have been recorded here. The waters are home to several dolphin species, including spinner dolphins and pantropical spotted dolphins, as well as humpback whales (during breeding season), sharks, and sea turtles.

What to do and see on Fernando de Noronha island?

Here are the best activities to enjoy during a stay on Fernando de Noronha island:

• Climb Morro do Pico, the island's highest point (323 m altitude), to enjoy exceptional panoramic views over the island and the Atlantic Ocean;

• Walk the Atalaia trail to explore the uninhabited part of the island and admire the wild beauty of its landscapes;

• Discover Fernando de Noronha's paradisiacal beaches, particularly the famous Praia do Sancho, regularly ranked among the world's most beautiful beaches;

• Go surfing: Fernando de Noronha is a reference destination for surfers. The best spots are Cacimba do Padre, Abras, Praia da Conceição, and Boldró;

• Go scuba diving or snorkeling to explore the exceptional seabed surrounding the island;

• Take a boat tour to discover the hidden treasures of the archipelago;

• Observe resident dolphins: you can admire them from the Baía dos Golfinhos viewpoint (at sunrise or sunset) or participate in an excursion to observe them more closely. Warning: swimming with them is strictly forbidden!;

• Visit Projeto Tamar, a Brazilian conservation program dedicated to protecting endangered sea turtles;

• Discover Forte de Noronha, the main fortress of a former network of ten interconnected fortifications.

How to get to Fernando de Noronha island?

The simplest way to reach Fernando de Noronha is by taking a flight from Recife, Natal, or São Paulo to Fernando de Noronha airport.

Good to know: access to the island is regulated to preserve its ecosystem. An environmental preservation tax of 101.33 R$ (approximately €16) is mandatory to enter the archipelago. Additionally, the number of visitors allowed daily is limited.

4 - The Ilhabela Archipelago

Ilhabela is an archipelago comprising four islands, located in São Paulo State, facing São Sebastião. It's one of Brésil's most sought-after island destinations. It brings together all the ingredients for a dream stay: paradisiacal beaches, translucent waters with turquoise hues, and lush jungle dotted with numerous waterfalls.

To give you an idea, 83% of the territory is covered with tropical forest classified as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, which constitutes the Parque Estadual de Ilhabela. Flora and fauna are remarkable: you can observe numerous monkeys, including capuchins, as well as a wide variety of birds, such as toucans.

For the sake of history, the archipelago's largest island, São Sebastião, was called Maembipe by indigenous peoples, who used it before colonization as a place for commerce and prisoner exchange. It was discovered by the Portuguese in 1502, but the village was officially founded only in 1806 under the name Vila Bela da Princesa ("Beautiful Island of the Princess"). In 1945, the municipality gave it its current name, Ilhabela, which simply means "beautiful island" in Portuguese.

What to do and see at Ilhabela?

Among the must-do activities not to miss at Ilhabela, we recommend:

• Go hiking through the jungle: numerous trails crisscross the island;

• Trek to discover waterfalls: the island boasts approximately 360 waterfalls, the most famous being Cachoeira da Toca, Cachoeira dos Três Tombos, and Cachoeira do Gato;

• Participate in a bird-watching hike: with nearly 300 species recorded, Ilhabela is recognized by BirdLife International as a priority site for bird conservation;

• Enjoy the island's beaches: Ilhabela has about forty beaches, each more beautiful than the last. The most famous is Praia do Bonete, considered one of Brésil's most beautiful beaches and accessible only by boat or after a long hike;

• Practice kitesurfing or windsurfing: thanks to its regular winds and calm waters, Ilhabela is often nicknamed the sailing capital;

• Go scuba diving or snorkeling: the seabed is rich in fauna and flora, as well as wrecks dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, a legacy of the pirate era;

• Take a boat tour to discover the hidden treasures of the archipelago and, during the breeding season (May to August), observe humpback whales. Sea turtles and dolphins are also frequently spotted.

How to get to Ilhabela?

The simplest way to reach Ilhabela is from São Sebastião, where ferries provide connections approximately every 30 minutes. The crossing takes only 20 minutes.

Note that once on the island, transportation can sometimes be complicated due to heavy traffic.

5 - Ilha do Mel

We conclude our selection of Brésil's most beautiful islands with Ilha do Mel, a peaceful island located at the mouth of Paranaguá bay, in Paraná State, in the country's south. This true little paradise of only 27.1 km² is renowned for its unspoiled nature and for being home to Paraná's most beautiful beaches.

Here, no cars, no paved roads, nor public lighting: transportation is exclusively on foot or by bike. Moreover, the number of visitors allowed daily is limited. Indeed, Ilha do Mel is a permanent environmental conservation zone, where 95% of the territory is dedicated to protecting fauna and flora. All reasons making it an ideal destination to disconnect and enjoy a break in the heart of nature.

The island also presents a geographical curiosity: it resembles an apron with irregular shapes whose two parts are connected by a sand isthmus called Istmo or Passa-Passa. Bordered by the sea on each side, this thin ribbon of earth constitutes the island's narrowest point. Approximately 20 to 30 meters wide, it evolves with the rhythm of tides, though it's increasingly less submerged in recent years.

What to do and see at Ilha do Mel?

Among the must-do activities during a stay at Ilha do Mel, we advise:

• Discover the gentle way of life in the island's main villages: Nova Brasília and Encantadas. We recommend staying in one of the local pousadas, guesthouses that allow you to meet locals and immerse yourself in local culture;

• Climb to the top of Farol das Conchas (Shell Lighthouse): built in 1870 under the reign of Dom Pedro II, this lighthouse has guided navigators from the Morro das Conchas hill. After climbing its 150 steps, you'll enjoy a superb panoramic view over the island;

• Visit the Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres: this fortress, erected in 1767 on the orders of Portuguese King Dom José I, was designed to protect the bay at a time when Paranaguá was among Brésil's main ports. You can discover the old cells, the commander's house, and English and Portuguese cannons from the 18th and 19th centuries still in their original positions;

• Explore the Gruta das Encantadas ("Cave of the Enchanted"): located at the island's south, this mysterious cave is surrounded by many legends. Its name comes from a belief that it was once inhabited by mermaids;

• Discover the Istmo or Passa-Passa: a true emblem of Ilha do Mel, this isthmus connecting the two parts of the island is an unmissable natural curiosity. Its beach is also very popular;

• Enjoy the island's magnificent beaches, particularly Praia da Fortaleza, Praia de Brasília, Praia de Encantadas, Praia de Fora, and Praia do Miguel;

• Go surfing: with its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful waves, Praia Grande is renowned as one of the region's best surfing spots.

How to get to Ilha do Mel?

The simplest way to reach Ilha do Mel is by taking a boat from Pontal do Sul or Paranaguá, where ferries operate daily connections. Count approximately 30 minutes crossing from Pontal do Sul and 1 hour 45 from Paranaguá.

Note that Ilha do Mel has two landing points, respectively located at Nova Brasília and Encantadas.

Would you like to be assisted in organizing an excursion or a multi-day stay on one of Brésil's islands? Don't hesitate to contact us: we can handle the booking of your transportation, accommodations, and activities to offer you a tailor-made trip.