The Cairu Archipelago, with its main islands – Cairu, Boipeba and Tinharé – offers beautiful landscapes, paradisiacal beaches and a rich culture.

Cairu is a Brazilian municipality located in the state of Bahia.

This island municipality corresponds to the Tinharé Archipelago (or Cairu Archipelago) itself, made up of 26 islands situated in an estuarine complex. The main islands are Cairu, Boipeba and Tinharé.

In all, the municipality has three towns (Galeão, Gamboa and Velha Gamboa), six villages (Morro de São Paulo, Canavieiras, São Sebastião, Torrinhas, Tapuias and Garapuá) and one city, which is Cairu.

The original name of the island of Cairu was Aracajuru, which means “house of the sun ’ in the indigenous language.

The occupation of Cairu began in the 16th century during the settlement of the Captaincy of Ilhéus. It was one of the most important towns in the colony.

The seat of the municipality was elevated to the category of village in 1610 and to that of city in 1938.

In the 18th century, Cairu was considered the best and safest place to live in the region, becoming the residence of the ombudsmen and corregedores of the Ilhéus City Council.

Videos about the Cairu Archipelago in Bahia

1. City of Cairu

1.1 History of Cairu and the Convent of St Anthony

The Southern Bahia Lowlands is one of the oldest colonised regions in Brazil.

It began to be occupied in the middle of the 16th century with the aim of supplying food to the newly founded city of Bahia (Salvador). The Cairu Convent, considered a landmark of Franciscan architecture, and the Morro de São Paulo defence complex, built to prevent foreign invasions, stand out as testimony to this time, despite being a poor region.

Many of the region’s inhabitants were descendants of important families from Ilhéus.

In the process of catechisation, the Jesuits, with special support from the third governor-general, Mém de Sá, received extensive donations of land, where they set up two large farms with indigenous labour, as well as creating catechetical villages.

In 1565, through the intervention of civilians and religious, towns such as Cairu, Boipeba and Camamu were created, but struggles against the indigenous people prevented these foundations from being realised.

In addition to the Jesuits, other religious were decisive in the formation of settlement centres, such as the Franciscans of the province of Santo Antônio, in Cairu, and the Capuchins, in Maraú.

In the first century of settlement, the couple Domingos da Fonseca Saraiva and Antônia de Pádua Góis stood out in Cairu.

Arriving in Brazil in 1563, they settled in the captaincy of Ilhéus, where they built a sugar mill and, next to the big house, a chapel dedicated to St Anthony.

However, due to resistance from the indigenous people, they were forced to leave Ilhéus and settle in Cairu.

There, they built another mill on a new sesmaria and erected the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, which would give rise to the current parish church.

They also built a rammed earth chapel dedicated to St Anthony, which was later donated to the Franciscans and temporarily served as the hospice’s house of prayer.

The Franciscan complex of Cairu can be accessed by sea or land. In the cobbled border square is the traditional Franciscan cross.

Less bulky than the ones in Paraguaçu and Salvador, it has a stone base and a simple wooden cross with no artistic significance.

In 1606, the parish of Nossa Senhora do Rosário de Cairu was created under the administration of Archbishop Constantino Barradas.

This parish covered the islands of Cairu, Tinharé and the entire archipelago, with the exception of Boipeba. In 1610, Cairu was elevated to the status of a town, separated from Ilhéus, which led to the installation of the Town Hall and Jail.

During the mid-17th century, the region was the scene of violent conflicts between colonisers and the Guerens Indians, which lasted for around 35 years. As recently as 1750, the Guerens, reappearing like the phoenix, devastated lands in Camamu, Cairu and Jaguaripe.

Until that time, the number of enslaved Africans in the region was small, and the labour force was predominantly indigenous from the Jesuit villages.

The history of the Franciscan complex in Cairu begins in 1650, when Friar Sebastião do Espírito Santo, elected Custos of the Franciscan Congregation, sent a group of friars to the town to found a convent, in response to a request from local residents.

Friar Gaspar da Conceição, Friar Francisco de Lisboa and Friar João da Conceição were responsible for starting the work, which was officially approved by the Chapter of 14 September 1653, under the presidency of Friar Cosme de São Damião. The foundation stone was laid on 25 August 1654 on land donated by Bento Salvador and Isabel Gomes.

Construction of the chancel probably began two years later. The Franciscans obtained funding from the Royal Treasury, but the exact date of its completion is unknown.

In 1661, the lintel of the door linking the sacristy to the chancel aisle bears the inscription of that year, indicating that the order’s private cemetery already existed. The final sacristy was completed before 1750.

The Franciscan chronicler Jaboatam reported that the church had three altars and a portico with three carved stone arches, characteristic of Franciscan architecture.

The convent was completed in 1739, according to the inscription on the side door of the portico. The façade of the church was completed in 1742.

The complex was built using a mixed technique: bricks and tiles were donated, while the sandstone was extracted from quarries in Boipeba. Cairu and Paraguaçu were the first Franciscan convents of the Province of St Anthony built in Brazil after the separation from the Portuguese mother country.

They followed an architectural model that was repeated in São Francisco do Conde and Santo Antônio de João Pessoa (Paraíba), and were characterised by their galilee, triangular frontispiece, recessed tower and frontal cross, characteristic of the ‘Franciscan way’ of building convent churches.

1.2 Tourist attractions in the city of Cairu

1.2.1 Our Lady of the Rosary Church

The seat of the municipality is located on Cairu Island and is divided into Cidade Alta, where the city was born, and Cidade Baixa.

In the Upper Town, there are historic buildings such as the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary (1610), situated on a hill from where you can see the Cairu Convent.

From the top, there is a beautiful view of the region.

The surrounding houses, of colonial architecture and low height, form a pleasant urban ensemble.

Don’t miss the sacred images of Our Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of Sorrows, St Joseph and St Michael.

Another highlight are the windows of the sacristy, made of sandstone stonework.

At the entrance to the town is the old town hall, possibly dating from the late 18th century.

1.2.2 Church of St Francis Xavier

Igreja de São Francisco Xavier – Cairu – BahiaThe Church of St Francis Xavier, dating from the 17th century, is one of the town’s main historical temples, with beautiful baroque elements and Portuguese tiles.

1.2.3 Convent of St Anthony

On the site of a small hermitage dedicated to St Anthony, the Church and Convent of St Anthony were built. Its façade, preceded by a stone cross, faces the arm of the sea that separates the islands of Tinharé and Boipeba.

The construction of the Convent of St Anthony, built by the Capuchins, began in 1654.

The site still preserves a valuable collection of Portuguese tapestry tiles from the 17th and 18th centuries.

To the left of the church are the ruins of the chancel of the Third Order, which was never completed. From the belvederes on the first floor, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the sea and the countryside.

2. Cairu Archipelago Tourist Attractions

The Cairu Archipelago, located on the Dendê Coast in the state of Bahia, is a paradisiacal destination full of natural beauty, historical culture and unique experiences for visitors.

The Cairu Archipelago is made up of several islands, including the famous Morro de São Paulo, Boipeba and Cairu, the archipelago attracts tourists in search of stunning beaches, local gastronomy and ecotourism.

2.1 Morro de São Paulo

One of Bahia’s most famous islands, Morro de São Paulo stands out for its crystal-clear beaches and vibrant atmosphere.

The main attractions include:

• First, Second, Third and Fourth Beach: Each with unique characteristics, ideal for relaxation and water sports.
• Tapirandu Fortress: Built in the 17th century, it offers a spectacular view of the sunset.
• Tirolesa do Morro: One of the most exciting activities on the island, with a direct descent into the sea.
• HistoricCentre: With historic ruins and the Church of Nossa Senhora da Luz.

2.2 Boipeba

Considered a haven for those seeking tranquillity and contact with nature, Boipeba is known for its deserted beaches and coral reefs. Highlights include:

• Moreré Beach: With natural pools of crystal-clear water.
• Cueira Beach: One of the most beautiful in Brazil, with coconut palms and calm seas.
• Canoe trip along the Rio do Inferno: A unique route through the mangroves.

2.3 Cairu

The city of Cairu is one of the main historical centres of the archipelago, with preserved colonial buildings and an important cultural heritage. Its highlights include:

• Church and Convent of Santo Antônio: Built in the 17th century by the Franciscans, the convent preserves a remarkable collection of Portuguese tiles from the 17th and 18th centuries. From its belvederes, you can enjoy a privileged view of the sea and the surrounding islands.
• Church of St Francis Xavier: Founded at the beginning of the 17th century, this church is part of the history of the Franciscan occupation of the region.
• Church of St Ignatius: One of the oldest in the archipelago, it dates back to the period of the religious missions.

2.4 Activities and Tours

• Boat trips: Routes that pass by various islands and natural pools.
• Diving and Snorkelling: Especially in Boipeba and Morro de São Paulo.
• Ecological Trails: Walks through the Atlantic forest and dunes.
• Gastronomic Experiences: Typical dishes such as moquecas, fresh seafood and locally grown oysters.

Best time to visit

The region can be visited all year round, but the best time is between September and April, when the rains are less frequent and the sea is calmer.

How to get there

• From Salvador: Boat or speedboat to Morro de São Paulo or Valença, from where boats leave for other islands.
• From Valença: Speedboats to Cairu, Morro de São Paulo and Boipeba.

The Cairu Archipelago is an unmissable destination for those who want to explore the natural beauty and experience the history and culture of Bahia.

Bahia.ws is the largest tourist guide to Bahia and Salvador.

Tourist Guide to Cairu in Bahia

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