The town of Maraú is located on the side of the peninsula facing the bay, on the banks of the Maraú River. Away from the beaches and the tourists, the little town of Maraú maintains the same pace of life as in the past.
Difficult to reach by car, the town centre is a fishing village with welcoming people, streets and old houses that are worth a visit.
The Maraú Peninsula, an extension of the wonders of the Dendê Coast, is dotted with paradisiacal corners. It has mangroves, dunes, waterfalls, 40 kilometres of beaches, river lagoons and natural pools formed by coral reefs.
Mainly inhabited by fishermen, the region’s additional source of income is the production of palm oil , cloves, pupunha, cocoa, guaraná and black pepper. The installation of resorts has boosted tourism.
Founded by Capuchin priests in 1705 on the site of the Mayrahú Indian village, little Maraú has kept some of its old buildings.
From the viewpoint in the upper town, the view of the Maraú River estuary is beautiful. From there, you can see the anchorage and the entire lower town.
As most visitors arrive by boat, the tourist infrastructure is concentrated in the village of Barra Grande, where the harbour is located.
History of the municipality of Maraú
The Maraú Peninsula belongs to the municipality of Maraú, located on the southern coast of Bahia. The seat of the municipality is inland, while the peninsula, which is the most famous part of the region, is home to several paradisiacal beaches, villages and tourist attractions.
The Maraú Peninsula stretches along Camamu Bay and is one of the most popular destinations on the Dendê Coast.
1705 – The origin of the municipality
The origin of the municipality was an Indian village called ‘Mayrahú’, which in the indigenous language means ‘Light of the Sun at Dawn’. The village was discovered in 1705 by Italian Capuchin friars.
The existing indigenous tribe was called ‘Mayra’. It is not known when they disappeared or to which branch they belonged.
By order of the Portuguese Crown, the bandeirante João Gonçalves da Costa built a road called ‘Estrada da Nação’.
The movement along this road favoured the smuggling of the ‘Quinto de Ouro’, which resulted in the creation of the Povoado dos Funis, where the road forked in the direction of Camamu and the town of Barra do Rio de Contas (now Itacaré).
To hinder smuggling along the road, which passed through the hinterland of Fazenda Ressaca, the town of Vitória da Conquista was built there. Thus, Mayrahú had its tax registry created to collect the ‘Quinto da Coroa’.
1718 – The District of Mayrahú
The District of Mayrahú was created in 1718, and the Chapel, built by the Capuchin Friars and financed by Captain Major José Ribeiro Torres, was elevated to the category of Parish, with the name ‘São Sebastião de Mayrahú’, by Archbishop Dom Sebastião Monteiro da Vide in the same year.
1756 – Villages and sites in the parish of São Sebastião de Mayrahú
In 1756, the list of settlements and sites in the parish of São Sebastião de Mayrahú was drawn up by the vicar Pedro do Espírito Santo.
The parish was elevated to the category of town by order of the Provisional Government, which succeeded that of D. Antônio de Almeida Soares e Portugal, 3rd Count of Avintes, on 17 June 1761.
1860 – First factory
Between 1860 and 1864, the United Kingdom of England set up a plant in Maraú to distil paraffin from peat and to extract oil shale.
The plant, popularly known as ‘João Branco’, employed around 500 workers and had an internal railway with two locomotives.
The Companhia Internacional de Maraú was shut down due to labour disputes, culminating in the departure of English industrialist Mister Grant from the region.
Today, in the town still called João Branco, the ruins of the factory and the railway tracks can be seen.
1938 – From village to town of Maraú
By Decree-Law No. 10.724 of 30 March 1938, the village of Mayrahú was elevated to the category of City of Maraú.
The municipality is located on the Maraú Peninsula, where an APA (Environmental Protection Area) has been set up, with a perimeter of 212 km², totalling 21,200 hectares.
The municipality is rich in minerals, particularly oil shale, gypsum and petroleum. Although the oil has not yet been extracted, its existence has been confirmed by renowned geologists.
Videos about the town of Maraú and the Maraú Peninsula
praias da Península de Maraú04:32
Península de Maraú - Reportagem
História da cidade de Maraú na Bahia25:49
Península de Maraú: 5 Passeios Imperdíveis
Maraú Peninsula and Camamu Bay
The Maraú Peninsula and Camamu Bay are not the same thing, but they are closely linked.
- Camamu Bay is the third largest bay in Brazil (behind Todos os Santos Bay and Guanabara Bay). It is home to several islands and arms of the sea, including the Maraú River, and serves as an important nautical access to the region.
- The Maraú Peninsula is a strip of land that stretches between the Atlantic Ocean and Camamu Bay and is home to paradisiacal beaches, villages and lagoons.
In short, Camamu Bay bathes the western part of the Maraú Peninsula and is the starting point for trips to the region’s islands and waterfalls.
Tourist attractions on the Maraú Peninsula – Bahia
Highlights include Taipu de Fora Beach, with reefs ideal for snorkelling, the village of Barra Grande and the Tremembé Waterfall, which flows into the sea. Walks around Camamu Bay reveal exuberant islands, and Morro do Celular offers incredible views.
- Barra Grande village
- Maraú River
- Tremembé Waterfall
- Goió Beach
- Campinho Island Beach
- Barra Grande Beach
- Três Coqueiros Beach
- Taipus de Fora Beach
- Cassange Beach
- Saquaíra Beach
- Algodões Beach
1. Barra Grande village
The town of Barra Grande is the second most important town in the municipality of Maraú, after the town of Maraú itself.
Facing Camamu Bay, Barra Grande beach has a long stretch of clear sand and warm, calm waters, making it one of the most popular destinations on the Dendê Coast.
A former fishing village on the Maraú peninsula, south of Salvador, Barra Grande enchants visitors with its paradisiacal beaches, boat trips, nature trails and excellent seafood-based cuisine.
See Barra Grande Village in Bahia: Complete Guide for Tourists
2. Maraú River
The town of Maraú is a great starting point for exploring the Maraú River, which is an arm of Camamu Bay, stretching for dozens of kilometres to the south, separating the peninsula from the mainland.
Little sought after by most tourists who prefer the beaches, the Maraú River hides beautiful landscapes, mangroves, forests and waterfalls.
3. Tremembé Waterfall
Travelling up the Maraú River you come to Tremembé, a small fishing village which, until recently, could only be reached by boat. With the construction of the BA-001 motorway, it is now also possible to get there by car.
Tremembé WaterfallThe great attraction of the place is an imposing waterfall that falls directly into the waters of the bay. It’s worth spending some time in the village of Tremembé and getting to know its friendly inhabitants.
4. Goió Beach
Located on the island of Goió, it is a straight beach with weak waves, light and loose sand, surrounded by coconut trees and the Atlantic Forest. It has holiday homes and is a 1-hour boat ride from Camamu.
5. Campinho Island Beach
With similar characteristics to the others, this beach has a fishing village and is also located 1 hour by boat from Camamu.
6. Barra Grande Beach
Facing Camamu Bay, this beach is straight, with clear sand and surrounded by the Atlantic Rainforest. It has a village and a few holiday homes. It can be reached by boat (1.5 hours from Camamu with a regular line).
7. Três Coqueiros Beach
This beach faces the open sea, with coarse yellow sand, relatively strong waves, native coconut palms and a few holiday homes.
From this beach onwards, there is a sequence of 40 km of interconnected beaches, which can be travelled by buggy or motorbike (from Ponta do Mutá to Praia do Pontal). To the north, there is an inn with a restaurant and camping site.
8. Taipus de Fora Beach
One of the most famous beaches on the peninsula, known for its large natural pool, 1 kilometre long and 500 metres wide, surrounded by coral reefs and full of fish.
9. Cassange Beach
It has yellowish, softer sand than the other beaches in the area, surrounded by coconut palms and with weak waves.
10. Saquaíra Beach
A straight beach with weak waves, coconut trees in the background and a village. It has several pousadas.
Next to the beach is the Cassange Lagoon, ideal for swimming and sailing sports. It can be reached by boat (1h40 from Camamu) or by land (Ubaitaba – Maraú – Saquaíra).
11. Algodões Beach
It has yellow sand and weak waves. In Arandi, natural pools form at low tide. It is possible to hire rafts.
With slightly stronger waves than the other beaches and yellowish sand, it is the last beach in Maraú, on the border with Itacaré.
Bahia.ws is the largest tourist guide to Bahia and Salvador.
Tourist Guide to Maraú in Bahia
