Morro de São Paulo is a car-free village, an island without banks, restless night, idyllic beaches.
It is the main village in the extreme north of the island of Tinharé, the most popular and the one with the best conditions to receive tourists.
The Tinharé archipelago is made up of three large islands -Tinharé, Boipeba and Cairu and 23 islets.
The settlement of Morro de São Paulo, in Tinharé Island, began in 1535 with the arrival of Francisco Romero's fleet. In 1624, the Dutch landed there before attacking Salvador.
Access Map to Morro de São Paulo
After the expulsion of the invaders, Morro de São Paulo became an outpost for the defense of the capital. The Forte Velho (or da Conceição) erected in 1630 dates from this time and was later enlarged and given the name of Forte de Morro de São Paulo.
See the map of the Dende Coast
The island played an important role in several episodes in the history of Brazil up to Independence. In 1992, the entire Tinharé Archipelago was declared an Environmental Protection Area.
Morro de São Paulo is the main town of island of Tinharé, the most popular and the one with the best conditions to receive tourists. Throughout the year, it receives people from all over the world who come to enjoy the charm of its historic buildings, the beautiful beaches and the entertainment.
In the shopping center there are from craft stores to designer boutiques and good restaurants. And when the full moon rises big and orange over the sea, there are luaus, invitations to poetry and courtships…
Morro de São Paulo is crowded in the summer; book accommodation. Carry little luggage, as there are no cars on the island. As the slopes are rough,
it may be a good idea to hire porters, who offer their services at the port and take your bags to the inns located on Primeira or Segunda beach.
There is no table; the amount charged varies depending on the weight and volume of your luggage.
Combine the price when contracting the service.
Those arriving by air will be able to transfer by minibus from local tourist agencies, which go to Terceira and Fourth beaches.
The beaches are numbered from the village of Morro de São Paulo that belong to the Cairu Archipelago.
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Veja Cairu Archipelago offers beautiful landscapes and lots of culture
Sights of Morro de São Paulo
Morro de São Paulo Beaches
In Morro de São Paulo, the main beaches are named in numerical order based on their proximity to the center.
The first one is good for surfing, the second one for the agitation, the third one for natural pools, and on the fourth and on Praia do Encanto, peace and tranquility reigns, in its several kilometers practically deserted.
First Beach
The First Beach is definitely the surfers' beach. With bigger and stronger waves, it was discovered by sports lovers, and today it is dominated by them.
It is so called because it is the closest to the center of the village, just 300 meters away.
On Primeira Praia there are also several stalls belonging to the island's residents – which offer food and drinks to visitors.
Many inns, hotels and houses for rent are also located nearby, precisely because of the ease of access. And the place is not just about surfing.
Diving enthusiasts can enjoy Laje do Forte; adventurers can also indulge in banana boat rides or water skiing.
There's still a zipline to see everything from above. The scenery is full of green surroundings and a clear sea full of rocks to help complete the landscape.
To close the day, the best option is to go to the nearby Fort and enjoy the best sunset in the region.
second beach
The bustling beach.
If the First Beach is for surfing and extreme sports, the Second Beach concentrates the party crowd, looking for lots of entertainment for their holidays.
All because there are some of the hippest and hippest tents and kiosks in Morro de São Paulo, and it is a 10-minute walk from the center.
With the coconut trees in the background, chairs and umbrellas and the stunning view of the sea, everything is lulled by music coming from the sand – making the place the most popular beach on the island, especially during the high season, always full of tourists.
Between a snack and a drink, the clear sea of the Second Beach invites you to take a dip. Some sports are also present on the 400 meters long stretch of sand, such as volleyball and paddle tennis.
Everything continues throughout the night, with parties and luaus ensuring the excitement under the moonlight – with electronic music dominating amidst the stalls serving drinks to the public.
The place also brings together some trendy inns and many people decide to stay there. The many restaurants in the surroundings are also a plus. Its general structure is the best on the island, and that is why it has become the most sought after by tourists.
third beach
The beach of calm. Another one that receives many inns and tourists staying there is Terceira Beach.
Unlike the other two before, it's quieter, though it still gets its dose of excitement now and then.
Continuing along the Second Beach, the so-called Ilha da Saudade separates one from the other.
There are almost 1 km of sand and the beauties of Ilha de Caitá just ahead. With coral reefs and schools of colorful fish populating the local ocean, it is one of the best diving spots in all of Morro de São Paulo.
A good option is to rent kayaks and walk along the calm sea of Terceira Praia. You can paddle to the island of Caitá and see all its incredible beauty, with crystal clear sea and many corals.
The nearby region has a good structure to receive tourists, although simpler and more rustic, and it is from there that most of the boat trips depart.
There are still several bars and restaurants along its shore, in addition to inns. The strip of sand, however, is very short – and the sea takes it all in moments at high tide.
Fourth Beach
The beach of nature. Among the main ones, Quarta Praia is the furthest from the center of Morro de São Paulo. There are more than 2 km, in about half an hour walking there, which also makes it the least sought after by tourists.
The positive point of this is that it makes it more peaceful, quite isolated and without turmoil.
It is also the largest, with 4 km of practically desert sand. It is definitely the most interesting alternative for those who want to relax on vacation, escape the world and just enjoy nature.
And the sea could not fail to be lush. At low tide, the natural pools of Quarta Praia are ideal for diving and forgetting about time in the water – the corals form a barrier that protects the place. As you walk along the sand along the beach, it becomes even quieter and with less people.
It is worth renting a snorkel to take a dip in this Morro paradise. Between the almost transparent ocean and the coconut trees embellishing the shore, you can't complain about anything there. It is certainly the best place for those who want maximum contact with nature.
Fortress of Tapirandu (Forte do Morro de São Paulo)
This fort, whose construction began in 1630, was of vital importance for the defense of the Bahian coast.
Due to its strategic location, it served as protection for the Tinharé Channel, through which the agricultural production of the region was transported, ruins of the fortress are listed by IPHAN.
On the beaches around, natural pools form. The fort attracts many people who come to see the sunset and, with luck, watch the spectacle provided by the dolphins.
Farol
From the lookout at the base of the lighthouse built in 1855, you can see all the surrounding beaches. The lookout gives access to a zip line from which the bravest launch themselves and fall into the sea. It's not for anyone.
Fonte Grande (Fountain of the Emperor)
It was built in 1746 to supply the city. It is said that the Emperor D. Pedro visited it.
Church of Our Lady of Light
It has sacred images and baroque altars in cedar from the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. According to local tradition, Nossa Senhora da Luz, patron saint of Morro de São Paulo, would have saved the island from being sacked by the Dutch, who gave up on the undertaking after seeing many troops on the island.
But the troops did not exist. The patroness is strong or the Dutch were short-sighted.
Religious festivals are held in the church: the most important is on the day of the patron saint, 8 September.
Gamboa village
Inhabited by fishermen, it has beaches with calm waters and natural pools.
Veja Discover the beauties, gastronomy, leisure and history of Morro de São Paulo
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