This post is also on: Português English

Caravelas is located in the far south of Bahia, 870 kilometres from Salvador and 36 kilometres south of Prado, on the BA-001, on the banks of the Caravelas River, which meets the sea in this region.

Along the coast near the town, the beautiful beaches of Kitongo, Grauçá and Iemanjá, located in Barra de Caravelas, stand out.

Known as part of the Costa das Baleias, the town offers a reasonable hotel structure and is famous for its traditional religious festivals, which attract thousands of people.

To explore the region, the best options include horse riding along unspoilt beaches and canoe trips along the Caravelas River. These activities are ideal for those seeking contact with nature and tranquillity.

Founded in 1581, Caravelas became a municipality in 1700. An important event in its history was the battle fought on 11 May 1823 between the Portuguese navy and the Brazilian forces during the War of Independence.

In 1855, Caravelas was elevated to the category of city.

The charming and historic town in Bahia is the main gateway to the Abrolhos National Marine Park, one of Brazil’s most popular destinations for eco-tourism.

From the town’s pier, framed by art nouveau mansions decorated with Portuguese tiles, boats leave for the Abrolhos Archipelago, one of the best diving spots in the world.

No wonder the place is so celebrated: its crystal-clear waters offer visibility of up to 20 metres and are home to a unique wealth of marine species, historic shipwrecks and an impressive diversity of corals.

Among the most notable formations are the ‘ chapeirões’, structures that resemble giant mushrooms and connect at the top, forming veritable submerged labyrinths. This uniqueness makes Abrolhos an unmissable destination for lovers of nature and the sea.

Video about Caravelas in Bahia

Beaches of Caravelas in Bahia

1. Ponta da Baleia Beach

Ponta da Baleia beach, next to Iemanjá beach, is a deserted and environmentally protected area. It can be reached by a dirt track from Barra de Caravelas. With a wild landscape made up of native vegetation, dry branches and cattle ranches, the beach has creamy sands and offers a view of the Navy lighthouse. Its brown waters have few waves, but during high tide, the waves are ideal for surfing and snorkelling. For bathing, low tide is more suitable.

2. Iemanjá Beach

It is 4 kilometres long and has soft, golden sand. The waters are murky due to the muddy bottom, influenced by the Caravelas River. It is a good option for prawn fishing. At the entrance, there is a bar with a statue of Iemanjá.

3. Grauçá Beach

One of the busiest places, it has bars, hotels, inns and restaurants. Located next to a fishing village, where you can see whale bones used as decoration. The sand is dark and beaten.

4. Barra de Caravelas (or Aracaré) Beach

The most popular in the region, with inns, bars and restaurants. It is only suitable for bathing at high tide, when the sea advances over the dark sand. It has good shade, a mangrove swamp and abundant fishing, such as sea bass, hake and crab.

5. Pontal do Sul Beach

Isolated and deserted, it can be reached by an easy 10-minute boat journey. Its clear waters and white sands make it an ideal refuge. It is separated from Grauçá by a narrow arm of the sea.

6. Quitongo Beach

Located on the arm of the sea where the Caravelas River flows, it has no waves and a narrow strip of golden sand. Here you’ll find Ibama’s Abrolhos Research and Management Centre. Nearby is the village of Ponta de Areia, immortalised in the song by Milton Nascimento.

7. Barra Nova Beach

Deserted, with fine, clear sand, coconut palms, warm waters and weak waves. It’s 1 hour and 15 minutes by boat from Caravelas harbour.

8. Ponta do Catueiro Beach

With fine, clear sand and transparent waters, the beach is surrounded by coconut palms, mangaba and pitanga trees. It can be reached in 1.5 hours by boat from Caravelas harbour.

Tourist attractions in Caravelas

1. St Anthony’s Church

Built in 1725 by the Jesuit priest Antônio do Espírito Santo, the church was completed in 1750 and remodelled between 1858 and 1863. Its architecture includes:

• Nave, chancel and two sacristies.
• Tower with polyhedral dome covered in white tiles.
• Thepediment is decorated with Corinthian pilasters and a cornice.

The interior has rococo altarpieces, originally gilded and now painted white, with images from the 17th and 18th centuries.

In 1962, Caravelas was elevated to a diocese by Pope John XXIII. Today, the Cathedral of São Pedro in Teixeira de Freitas is the seat of the diocese, while the Church of Santo Antônio has become a co-cathedral. It is located in Praça Santo Antônio.

2. Church of St Iphigenia

Built by slaves in honour of Saint Iphigenia, of Ethiopian origin, the church began to be erected in 1755 using masonry and whale oil. It was partially completed in 1767 and remodelled in 1928.

Its façade displays decorative features from the first half of the 20th century. It is located in Praça Teófilo Otoni and represents an important symbol of black Catholic worship in the region.

3. Caravelas Historic Centre

The historic centre is full of colonial houses from the 19th century, with colourful façades and preserved architectural features. Walking through the narrow streets allows you to immerse yourself in the history of the city, which was an important commercial centre during the colonial period.

4. Caravelas harbour

The harbour is an important point for the local economy and also for tourism, as it is the main gateway for trips to the Abrolhos National Marine Park. Here you can watch the movement of boats and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

5. Abrolhos National Marine Park

One of Caravelas’ biggest attractions is its access to the Abrolhos Archipelago, which is around 70 kilometres from the coast. It is possible to take boat trips to the park, known for its coral reefs, marine biodiversity and the famous humpback whales (visible between July and November).

6. Dr José Bastos Square

Located in the heart of the city, the square is a meeting point for locals and tourists alike. With well-kept gardens, it offers a pleasant space for strolling and relaxing, surrounded by some of the city’s historic buildings.

7. Cassumba Island

Located in the Caravelas River estuary, the island is surrounded by mangroves and is ideal for those seeking contact with nature. Boat trips take you to the island, where you can appreciate the region’s fauna and flora.

8. Caravelas mangroves

The city is surrounded by vast mangrove swamps, which play a crucial role in the local ecosystem. Guided trails and boat trips offer the opportunity to explore this habitat, which is home to various species of birds, crustaceans and fish.

11. Ponta de Areia village

Ponta de Areia is a district in the municipality of Caravelas.

This charming village by the sea is famous for its tranquillity and references to the song “Ponta de Areia ’ by Milton Nascimento. It’s a great place to enjoy the simplicity of local life and taste fresh seafood.

12. Caravelas railway station

Although disused, the old railway station is a historic landmark dating back to the period when Caravelas was linked by train to other towns in the region. The building bears witness to the city’s economic and social development in the past.

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