Morro de São Paulo, located on the Dendê Coast, is one of the most beautiful and popular destinations on the Bahian coast.

It is part of the municipality of Cairu, in the Southern Bahia Lowlands, and is situated in the Tinharé Archipelago.

Being an island, there are no tourist cars, only 4×4 vehicles, agency motorcycles, quad bikes and wheelbarrows.

The quiet village of two decades ago has given way to a bustling Morro de São Paulo, full of inns, restaurants, stores and a vibrant nightlife. The famous Rua Caminho da Praia concentrates most of these attractions.

In Praça Aureliano Lima, in the center of the village, the cobblestone sidewalk has added charm to the place. On the Second Beach, a wooden footbridge provides easy access to the Third Beach.

Despite the modernization, one characteristic remains intact: the natural beauty and tranquillity – especially from the Third Beach onwards, towards the south of Tinharé Island.

The main hotspots in Morro de São Paulo are Rua Caminho da Praia and Segunda Praia.

The fifth beach, also called Praia do Encanto, is the closest to the village and is actually a southern extension of the fourth beach.

On the island of Boipeba, four true jewels of the Brazilian coast await visitors: Cueira, Moreré, Bainema and Ponta de Castelhanos.

Despite the short distance of 50 minutes, the sensation on arrival is of being in another world, due to the tranquillity of the place.

Morro de São PauloSee the map of the Dendê Coast

Videos about Morro de São Paulo

Morro de São Paulo in Bahia

Main beaches

The main beaches are in the south of the island and are numbered:

• First Beach
• Second Beach
• Third Beach
• Fourth Beach
• Fifth Beach (Praia do Encanto)

With warm, crystal-clear waters, these beaches offer a real swim and a unique connection with nature.

While the Second Beach is the most popular, the Fourth and Fifth Beaches are practically deserted, true oases of tranquillity.

To the north of the village, there are also beaches less explored by tourists, such as:

• Porto de Cima Beach
• Ponta da Pedra Beach
• Gamboa Beach

1. First Beach

The closest to the village and the first to receive holiday homes. Very frequented by locals, it offers some stalls with typical Bahian cuisine.

A highlight is the longest zip line in Brazil, where tourists descend to enjoy the breathtaking view of the place.

2. Second Beach

The busiest and most popular on the island, with a large concentration of bars and restaurants.

At night, the program includes craft stalls, typical drinks such as caipifrutas and the famous luau, with live music and lots of axé.

3. Third Beach

This is where the boat trips depart to explore the region. It has a large number of inns and restaurants to suit all budgets.

The strip of sand is narrow at high tide, but the infrastructure makes up for it.

4. Fourth Beach

Known for its calm, crystal-clear waters, full of coconut palms and over four kilometers of pure peace and beauty.

Perfect for long walks by the sea.

5. Quinta Praia (Encanto Beach)

Located six kilometers from the village, this is the most unspoiled on the island.

It has fine white sand, warm waters and mangroves, as well as a barrier reef that forms incredible natural pools for snorkeling.

6. Gamboa Beach

Located in the north of the island, on the way to Porto de Cima Beach and Ponta da Pedra Beach.

Gamboa do Morro beach is a fishermen’s village that is still little frequented by tourists.

It has huts by the sea, where typical Bahian cuisine is served, prepared by the fishermen’s families, known for their hospitality and authentic gastronomy.

Nightlife

Sunset: Bar Toca do Morcego, with happy hour and live music.

Drinks: Stalls in Rua Caminho da Praia and Praça Aureliano Lima.

Nightclubs:

• Pulsar Disco (on the way to Fortaleza) – Foam party on Saturdays.
• Segunda Praia – Luaus and different styles of music.

How to get around

Only tractors, planters and vehicles belonging to inns and tourist agencies are allowed.

You can get from the pier to the Third Beach on foot. From the Fourth Beach, it is possible to hire carriages.

On arrival, porters can transport luggage in wheelbarrows.

When to go

The climate is stable all year round, ideal for the beach in any season.

For more excitement, choose summer (December to February), when there are frequent parties and the sea is perfect for swimming.

How to get there

Como chegar em Morro de São Paulo

1. Semi-terrestrial route

Take the ferry from Salvador to Bom Despacho (Itaparica Island).

From there, take a car, bus or transfer to Valença.

In Valença, park and take a boat or speedboat to Morro de São Paulo.

The crossing from Valença takes about 30 minutes.

2. Land route to Valença

Take the BR-101 from Salvador to Santo Antônio de Jesus.

Continue on BA-046 to Nazaré das Farinhas and BA-001 to Valença.

Overland journey: approximately 3h30 (270 km).

3. Catamaran

Direct option from Salvador Maritime Terminal to Morro.

Duration: around 2 hours.

May cause seasickness due to the instability of the sea.

4. Air Taxi

Direct air transfer to Morro de São Paulo.

Land at Cairu regional airport on Tinharé Island.

Faster and more exclusive option, but also more expensive.

History

Morro de São Paulo is not only known for its natural beauty and rich culture.

This island is also steeped in history. It was discovered in 1531 by the Portuguese navigator Martim Afonso de Sousa.

It had a great influence on the colonial period and in its history was the target of piracy and the smuggling of goods.

It even witnessed the Second World War when the Nazis torpedoed and sank the ships Arará and Itagiba in front of the First Beach of Morro de São Paulo.

This led Brazil to enter the Second World War.

Before the Portuguese arrived in Morro de São Paulo, these lands were inhabited by the Aimorés and Gueréns Indians.

It wasn’t until 1534 that the then King of Portugal, João III, divided the coast of Bahia into three captaincies, one of which was the Captaincy of Ilhéus, where the archipelago of Tinharé is located, where Morro de São Paulo is located.

So, on St. Paul ‘s Day (July 29), Lieutenant Francisco Romero chose Morro de São Paulo to be the seat of the captaincy.

The seat didn’t last long and was relocated. However, colonization continued and never stopped, and its function as a strategic location also remained.

In 1630, the Tapirandú Fortress began to be built to defend the capital from Dutch attacks and the theft of goods. The construction of the Nossa Senhora da Luz Church – named after its patron saint – began in 1628 and was only finished in 1845.

The houses and the population grew, and in 1746 work began on the Fonte Grande to guarantee a water supply for the population and the troops.

Former residents say that, until recently, they used to bathe together because of the lack of piped water.

In 1848, construction began on the Morro de São Paulo Lighthouse, with the aim of facilitating access to the city of Valença.

Today, Morro de São Paulo is one of the most popular tropical destinations for tourists from all over the world. From the 1970s onwards, the town underwent a transformation, driven by the arrival of the first vacationers, backpackers and hippies, who spread the fame of the place.

Chronology

Morro de São Paulo protected the so-called “false bar of the Bay of All Saints”, the strategic entrance to the Itaparica Canal up to the Santo Antônio Fort (now the Barra Lighthouse); and the Tinharé Canal was essential for transporting production from the main centers to supply the capital, Salvador.

The island’s geographical importance during the colonial period justifies its wealth of historical monuments, which are now protected by the National Historical Heritage.

1531

Martim Afonso de Sousa lands on the island of Tinharé, which will become part of the Captaincy of São Jorge dos Ilhéus. King João III donates the land to Jorge de Figueiredo Correa, who begins the process of colonizing the property.

1535

Francisco Romero and the local population found the village of Morro de São Paulo, located at the northern end of the island.

1624

Commander Johan Van Dortt and his squadron land on the island en route to Salvador.

1628

Dutch Admiral Pieter Pieterzoon Hiyn leads the attack and sacking of the village.

1630

Governor General Diogo Luiz de Oliveira begins construction of the Morro de São Paulo Fortress.

1728

Completion of the construction of the Ponta Fort and curtain walls along the island. Defeat of French Admiral Villegaignon by Lusitanian troops.

1746

Construction of Fonte Grande, the largest water supply system in colonial Bahia.

1845

Completion of work on the Santo Antônio Church and Convent, the Chapel of Our Lady of Light.

1855

Eng. Carson finishes work on the Lighthouse.

1859

Visit of the Royal Family and D. Pedro II.

Tourist Guide to Morro de São Paulo in Bahia

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