Islands of Brazil

Brazil’s islands are full of secluded beaches, some of which hold the biggest and most beautiful natural secrets on the Brazilian coast.

With a coastline of more than 8,000 km, Brazil offers several options of islands that tourists can visit.

The continental islands are Ilhabela, Ilha Grande and Ilha de Santa Catarina and the oceanic islands are Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Archipelago of São Pedro e São Paulo, Trindade and Martim Vaz.

An island can be considered to be any portion of land surrounded by the ocean and limited by a territorial extension.
Islands are classified into two types

– Continental

Continental islands are generally located close to the mainland, being nothing more than an extension of the mainland territory, having flooded areas that ended up “separating” from the rest of the continent.

In short, a continental island comes from the same base as the mainland, being just a continuation of it.

– Oceanic

Oceanic islands are the exact opposite, when there is no connection with the mainland, when the island has a distinct base and can even be the tip of an underwater mountain.

They are subdivided into volcanic and coral.

The former are formed by volcanic eruptions, where the lava condenses to form a portion of land in the middle of the ocean, thus forming an island. Coral islands are formed by the accumulation of corals.

Another classification of an island

  • Marine islands (located in the ocean)
  • Fluvial islands (rivers)
  • Lacustrine islands (lakes)
  • Marine-fluvial islands (in the transition between river and sea, as is the case of Marajó)

Atolls are also found in the ocean. These coral islands have a ring shape, forming small portions of land around a lagoon.

An archipelago is a group of closely related islands.

Brazilian islands

1. Fernando de Noronha

The archipelago can be called Brazil’s “king of the islands”.

Green and transparent waters, protected fauna, breathtaking sunsets and activities for all tastes in the midst of nature are some of the attractions.

2. Tinharé Island

Morro de São Paulo is located on this paradise island in Bahia. Its beaches and lively village atmosphere attract tourists from all over the world.

Access is via a catamaran that departs at various times from Salvador.

But if you want to avoid the boat, you can make most of the journey by land.

3. Ilha Grande

This paradise on the coast of Rio de Janeiro, near Angra dos Reis, has its coastline cut out by coves and peninsulas, which give rise to several beaches with clear waters amidst preserved forest.

4. Abrolhos Archipelago

The Abrolhos Archipelago, in Bahia, is protected and has monitored visits.

It’s a great place for divers and, if you’re lucky, between July and November you may spot humpback whales during your trip.
5. Ilhabela
Ilhabela, in São Sebastião, is super trendy and popular with São Paulo residents, but it has practically deserted beaches with clear waters, waterfalls, islets and mountains.

6. Ilha do Mel

The sweet name already tells you that this nature reserve is perfect for couples or travelers who want peace and quiet.

To get to the island off the coast of Paraná, you can come from Paranaguá or Pontal do Sul, close to the capital of Paraná.

7. Santa Catarina Island

54km long and 18km wide, this is where Florianópolis is located.

The island and other nearby islets offer beaches for all tastes, from the trendiest to the quietest, as well as lagoons and dunes.

8. Caju Island

Although located in Maranhão, it is mainly accessed from Piauí.

It is part of a group of dozens of river islands in the Parnaíba Delta, but stands out for its dunes, natural pools and freshwater beaches.

9. Boipeba Island

Located next to the island of Tinharé, off the coast of Bahia, Boipeba belongs to the municipality of Cairu.

Despite its proximity, it is the opposite of Morro de São Paulo. Quiet fishing villages, coconut groves and empty beaches reign here.

Boat trips take tourists to the natural pools of Moreré.ades such as kayaking and horseback riding.

10. Marajó Island

The largest river island in the world, located in Pará, is famous for its buffalo and natural landscapes.

Tourists will also find a place with a rich culture, especially the cuisine and the famous Marajoara handicrafts.

The main access is via Belém.

Northeast Travel and Tourism Guide

Islands of Brazil

The Marajó Archipelago

The Marajó Archipelago is located at the mouth of the Amazon River in the state of Pará, bordering the Amazon and the Atlantic Ocean. It is made up of approximately 3,000 islands, with emphasis on Marajó Island, its largest island, with 49,602 m². Marajó Island enchants its visitors for the […]