Last updated on December 19, 2023.

The longest and best boat tour I took on Ilha Grande, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was the full island tour (Volta à Ilha). It takes visitors around the entire island in a speedboat, beginning and ending at Vila do Abraão. In my opinion, this boat tour stopped at the most beautiful beaches on the island. It should cost about R$220 (as of June 2023).

 

Lighthouse

The boat left Vila do Abraão at around 9am and headed out towards the Atlantic side. The ocean was very choppy so it was a rough ride on this side of the island. We passed by Farol, the lighthouse on the southeastern tip of Ilha Grande.

Farol on Ilha Grande, Brazil
Farol

 

Caxadaço Beach

Our first stop was at Caxadaço Beach (Praia do Caxadaço). We swam to the beach and climbed up a small hill to go to a rocky outcrop. It was a little dangerous and slippery, but I managed to climb up the rocks to get an amazing view.

Praia do Caxadaço on Ilha Grande, Brazil
Caxadaço Beach
Praia do Caxadaço, Ilha Grande, Brazil
Caxadaço Beach

This was a great first stop. Everybody enjoyed climbing around on the rocks to the other side to see the waves crashing against them.

Praia do Caxadaço on Ilha Grande, Brazil
Climbing on the rocks at Caxadaço Beach
Praia do Caxadaço on Ilha Grande, Brazil
Walking on the rocks at Caxadaço Beach
Praia do Caxadaço on Ilha Grande, Brazil
Caxadaço Beach
Praia do Caxadaço on Ilha Grande, Brazil
Caxadaço Beach

 

Parnaioca Beach

After cruising past Two Rivers Beach (Praia de Dois Rios), we stopped at Parnaioca Beach (Praia da Parnaioca). I walked all the way to the end and found a small church and a river that flowed out into the ocean. The forest behind the lagoon was an incredible sight. Of course, I didn’t bring my camera and wish I had.

Praia de Dois Rios on Ilha Grande, Brazil
Two Rivers Beach
Praia da Parnaioca on Ilha Grande, Brazil
Parnaioca Beach
Praia da Parnaioca on Ilha Grande, Brazil
Parnaioca Beach

 

Aventureiro Beach

We then stopped at Aventureiro Beach (Praia do Aventureiro), which is located within a nature preserve on Ilha Grande, South Beach State Biological Reserve (Reserva Biológica Estadual da Praia do Sul). This beach had the most stunning setting of all. At the end of the beach, there was a palm tree with a 90 degree angle in its trunk jutting out over powdery sand and rocks. Just incredible!

Praia do Aventureiro on Ilha Grande, Brazil
Aventureiro Beach
Praia do Aventureiro on Ilha Grande, Brazil
Aventureiro Beach
Praia do Aventureiro, Ilha Grande, Brazil
A unique palm at Aventureiro Beach

A short trail next to the palm tree took me to Pedra do Coqueiro, some rocks with yet another wonderful view of the island.

Trail at Praia do Aventureiro on Ilha Grande, Brazil
Trail at Aventureiro Beach
Trail at Praia do Aventureiro on Ilha Grande, Brazil
Trail at Aventureiro Beach
Pedra do Coqueiro at Praia do Aventureiro on Ilha Grande, Brazil
Pedra do Coqueiro

 

Meros Beach

A 30 minute stop at Meros Beach (Praia dos Meros) was where I grabbed a quick nap. This was a tiny, pristine beach with calm waters for swimming. It’s also located within the nature preserve.

Praia dos Meros, Ilha Grande, Brazil
Meros Beach

 

Ubatubinha

We made a quick stop at Green Lagoon (Lagoa Verde), where I had stopped on the half island tour, and it was off to an overpriced, low quality lunch stop at Ubatubinha before making our way back to Abraão. I had overcooked calamari and fries.

Ubatubinha on Ilha Grande, Brazil
Ubatubinha
Lunch at Ubatubinha on Ilha Grande, Brazil
Lunch at Ubatubinha
Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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