This post is also on: Português English

Baía de Todos os Santos is the second largest bay in the world and the largest on the Brazilian coast.

Discovered on 1st November 1501, the bay was given its name to coincide with All Saints’ Day.

Located in the state of Bahia, Todos os Santos Bay is an indentation in the Brazilian coastline, the second largest in the world after the Gulf of Bengal, and the largest in Brazil.

To give you an idea of its size, the area of the bay is roughly equivalent to the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s second largest metropolis.

The wide and deep bay enchanted navigators, pirates and colonisers and attracted the interest of the Portuguese government because it was an excellent natural anchorage and strategic defence point, with its fresh waters and fertile land.

Salvador, the cradle of Portuguese colonial civilisation in the Americas, became the largest export port in the Southern Hemisphere, from where Bolivian silver and Brazilian sugar were sent to Europe. This port was also the main destination for African slaves brought to the New World.

With a penetration of 80 kilometres into the continent, Todos os Santos Bay has 300 kilometres of coastline and is actually a small gulf made up of three bays. Among them, Aratu Bay stands out, where the Port of Aratu and the Landulfo Alves Refinery are located.

On its shores is one of the largest oil reserves in continental Brazil.

From one end to the other, the bay is 14 kilometres wide, with approximately 9 kilometres between Ponta da Penha and Ponta de Itaparica.

The eastern edge of Todos os Santos Bay is marked by the Salvador escarpment, a steep tectonic escarpment and the most notable example of a crystalline edge of a coastal tectonic trench in South America. Because of the panoramic views afforded by this escarpment, Salvador is known as the Belvedere City.

Baía de Todos os Santos is home to 56 islands, including Ilha de Itaparica (the largest), Ilha da Maré, Ilha dos Frades, Ilha Cajaíba, Ilha da Bimbarra, Ilha das Vacas, Ilha das Canas, Ilha de Bom Jesus and Ilha do Medo.

See the map of Todos os Santos Bay

Main islands in Todos os Santos Bay

1. Bimbarras Island

A mix of paradisiacal beaches, mangroves, preserved Atlantic forest, pastures and, as an extra show, a daily flock of multicoloured birds. Such is the exuberant landscape of this island which, thanks to its beauty and biodiversity, has been transformed into a preservation area by Ibama.

Low-intensity tourism is combined with the routine of a productive farm, located right in the centre of the island.

As it is privately owned, visitors must book in advance to enjoy the unspoilt beauty of the bucolic and deserted beaches. Access is by private boat and schooner only. Romantic, good for diving, water sports and children.

2. Bom Jesus dos Passos Island

The island of Bom Jesus dos Passos is located between the islands of Madre de Deus and Ilha dos Frades. Covered by forests and mangroves, it has a calm, blue sea, ideal for bathing, fishing and water sports.

The island offers a large camping area, attracting bathers who mainly go to the Pontinha and Ponta do Padre beaches.

The Church of Bom Jesus dos Passos, built in 1776, is one of the main local attractions and gives the island its name. The destination is considered romantic, great for diving, water sports and also suitable for children.

With 1,465 inhabitants, Bom Jesus dos Passos has the smallest population of the three islands belonging to Salvador and stands out for its religiosity.

The island can be reached by boat from Madre de Deus, 65 kilometres from Salvador.

The local church was built in 1766 and is maintained by the Brotherhood of Senhor Bom Jesus dos Passos, founded in 1815. Every January, the island celebrates a large festival in honour of Bom Jesus dos Passos, which lasts 20 days.

Most of the locals live off subsistence farming and fishing for fish and shellfish. For those wishing to spend more time on the island, the camping area is a great option for staying and enjoying the surroundings.

3. Ilha dos Frades

Ilha dos Frades, one of the smallest islands in Todos os Santos Bay, is also one of the most important, due to its biodiversity and preserved Atlantic Rainforest. Its first inhabitants were the Tupinambás Indians.

The story goes that, after a shipwreck, the religious who arrived on the island were devoured by the natives, giving rise to the name. With a coastline of 8 kilometres, the island has beaches with calm seas and clear waters.

The most popular beaches are

• Loreto, where the Church of Our Lady of Loreto is located, with calm waters ideal for swimming;
• Paramana, a fishing village;
• Tobar, a deserted beach with reefs;
• Punta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, famous for its lobster served as an aperitif, and a lively beach great for snorkelling, water sports and children.

From the top of the Church of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, you can see the calm waters around Ilha dos Frades, an eight-kilometre-long paradise. Shaped like a 15-pointed star, each point is home to a beach.

For those departing from the Terminal Náutico do Comércio, the island is reached via Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe beach. Other popular beaches include:

• Loreto, with calm, transparent waters in the middle of the forest and home to the church of the same name;
• Viração, surrounded by dense vegetation and reefs;
• Paramana, characterised by its charming fishing village.

Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe beach is famous for its local cuisine, especially its fish, lobster and prawns. Among the attractions of Ilha dos Frades are two historic churches: Nossa Senhora do Loreto and Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, both from the 17th century.

For those wishing to spend more time on the island, there are small inns with breakfast, offering a complete experience in this historical, tourist and architectural monument of Bahia.

4. Itaparica Island

Itaparica Island, the largest in Todos os Santos Bay, has approximately 246 square kilometres of lush vegetation, mangroves and beautiful beaches. With a 40-kilometre coastline, the island is 14 kilometres from Salvador and is connected to the mainland by the Funil Bridge, facilitating access to the city of Itaparica.

In addition to road access, it is also possible to reach the island by sea from Salvador. Surrounded by reefs, its waters are calm for the most part, with crystal-clear beaches surrounded by native forest and coconut groves.

The centre of the island has historic mansions, as well as fishing villages and descendants of the region’s native Indians.

The most popular beaches are

• Ponta de Areia, the most structured and the starting point for trips to other islands;
• Ponta do Mocambo, a difficult-to-access cove known as an unofficial nudist beach;
• Penha, located in a luxurious condominium frequented by the owners;
• Cacha Pregos, from where boats leave for the Pantanal Baiano.

Itaparica Island is a bustling, romantic destination, ideal for diving, water sports and families with children.

5. Madre de Deus Island

In 1989, the island of Madre de Deus, formerly a district of Salvador, gained its emancipation and became a municipality. With the installation of Petrobras oil bases, the island’s population grew, fuelling its development.

The island has almost all urbanised beaches, characterised by calm seas and crystal-clear waters. The only exception is Ponta do Suapé, which is unsuitable for bathing due to the dangerous sea. Madre de Deus is a busy destination, ideal for surfing, diving, water sports and suitable for children.

6. Ilha da Maré

Ilha da Maré, located in the centre of Todos os Santos Bay, belongs to the municipality of Salvador and covers an area of approximately 14 km². Its landscape is made up of Atlantic forest, mangroves, coconut groves and several beaches. The island retains a primitive character and is divided into villages, whose inhabitants live mainly from fishing and handicrafts. The local handicrafts are famous for their bobbin lace pieces.

The main beaches include

• Itamoabo, known for its jeguetour;
• Neves, where you’ll find the historic 16th century Church of Nossa Senhora das Neves;
• Botelho, which offers an excellent view of Todos os Santos Bay.

Ilha da Maré is also an old fishing village, famous for its peguarí, an abundant mollusc that is used in the famous peguarí moqueca, a local speciality.

Access to the island is via the São Tomé de Paripe Waterway Terminal, in the suburbs of Salvador, and the crossing takes around 45 minutes. Another attraction are the bobbin lace makers, who make cloths, table runners and lace waistcoats, products much appreciated by tourists.

Curiously, Ilha da Maré is the place with the highest percentage of black population in Salvador, with approximately 93 per cent of its 4,236 inhabitants being black, according to Joilson Rodrigues Souza, from the IBGE. For those wishing to extend their stay, there are pousadas with privileged views of Todos os Santos Bay.

7. Matarantiba Island

Ilha da Maré is also known for the Tororó Fountain, one of its main natural attractions. This fountain is a waterfall between the rocks that, during high tide, flows directly into the sea.

At low tide, a freshwater spring forms on the beach, surrounded by dense vegetation and mangroves, providing a unique experience in the midst of nature.

Another outstanding beach is Praia da Barra Falsa, with its white sand dunes and emerald green waters, which are clear and ideal for swimming. It is a popular spot for surfers and bodyboarders, as well as attracting visitors interested in the island’s ecological tours, which offer the chance to explore the local biodiversity.

8. Fear Island

Ilha do Medo, located in Todos os Santos Bay, is surrounded by stories and legends that intrigue its visitors. In the 19th century, the island was used as a military refuge and quarantine site for people with leprosy, who were isolated there.

Because of this, many stories tell of souls wandering the island, such as that of a priest condemned to wander after refusing to perform a paid mass. Another oft-told story is about a fisherman who, on seeing a mysterious creature spewing fire out of its mouth, became mute forever.

Despite the legends, the island is an Environmental Protection Area, covered in restinga vegetation and mangrove trees. As there are no fresh water sources, the island remains uninhabited, keeping its nature almost untouched.

9. Ilha das Vacas

Ilha das Vacas, a private and practically uninhabited island in the Bay of Todos os Santos, stands out for its tranquillity and unique landscape.

With a single colonial-style house and several corrals, the island’s name lives up to the presence of many cows scattered across the fields.

The simplicity and rusticity of the island, combined with its isolation and colonial architecture, make it a curious place with a special charm, where nature and rural life meet in harmony.

10. Ilha das Canas

Ilha das Canas is one of the least inhabited islands in Baía de Todos os Santos and stands out for its tranquillity and natural beauty.

The island is almost uninhabited, which makes it an ideal refuge for those looking for more direct contact with nature and an escape from the urban hustle and bustle. Its beaches with calm waters and unspoilt landscapes are perfect for activities such as diving and exploring its rich biodiversity.

The tranquil and unspoilt environment makes Ilha das Canas an attractive destination for those who appreciate the serenity and beauty of the natural environment.

Main islands in Todos os Santos Bay

Bahia.ws is the largest travel and tourism guide for Bahia and Salvador.