The caiçara community of Bonete Beach is the largest on São Paulo’s coast. There are almost 300 people who live in “isolation” and preserve their ancient customs. We speak of an isolated community because access is only possible via a 15km trail on foot or by sea. There is no car access. Hiking the trail is an experience. There’s a sense of accomplishment upon reaching the beach. Despite its length, the trail is of moderate difficulty and doesn’t have major obstacles. It’s a 5-hour walk through the Atlantic Rainforest, passing by three beautiful waterfalls where you can take refreshing dips. For those with a keen eye, it’s possible to spot rare birds, like the Tangará, or families of Capuchin monkeys. 30 minutes before arrival, everyone is treated to a stunning view of the beach. But if you prefer comfort, tour agencies can take you there by speedboat or flexboat. After settling in (there are small inns and rental homes available), lose yourself in the village’s narrow streets and take a dip in a waterfall or the river that flows into the beach. Disconnecting from the world. That’s the reason to visit Bonete.

This trail is for the well-prepared, as its difficulty level is high. But the reward is equally immense: a panoramic view of the entire São Sebastião Channel from over 1,000 meters in elevation. Only those who tackle this trail get the privilege of viewing the region from such a lofty height. After a 400-meter walk through marshland, you’ll reach a stunning viewpoint to take in the scenery. From there, you can see the channel, the transit of commercial and cruise ships, the Serra do Mar State Park, and the Alcatrazes archipelago. Following the trail through the Atlantic Rainforest, you can observe different species of fauna and flora as the altitude changes, until you reach the peak at 1,048 meters, offering a panoramic view of the Archipelago. This trail should only be attempted with the guidance of a specialized guide and is recommended on clear sky days.

Perhaps the most popular tour in Ilhabela is the “Terra-Mar” (Land-Sea). The opportunity to explore the island both by land and by sea simultaneously. The tour involves visiting Castelhanos Beach, one of the most beautiful in Brazil, with one leg of the journey on a flexboat by sea and the other in a jeep by land. Departing from Perequê Beach, the flexboat heads north, passing various beaches and making two stops: one at Fome Beach and the other at Saco do Eustáquio, located on the eastern side of the island. Arriving at Castelhanos around 1 pm, it’s time to relax and savor traditional caiçara home-cooked meals or venture out to paths leading to Castelhanos Viewpoint, Gato Waterfall, or Mansa Beach. The return trip starts at 4 pm, traveling by jeep along the Parque Road, reaching an elevation of 770 meters before descending back to sea level. The journey consists of roughly 1h30 by boat and 1h20 by jeep. The tour can also be done in reverse, departing by jeep and returning by flexboat.

Certain species of whales, like the Humpback, leave the Antarctic region annually and migrate to the seas of Bahia, specifically in Abrolhos, to breed. Along this route, they pass by Ilhabela, where many are spotted between the months of May and September. In collaboration with the Humpback Whale Institute, several monitoring cameras have been installed on the island, facing the São Sebastião Channel. Tour agencies use this information to offer whale-watching excursions. Some boats are even equipped with sonars for an enhanced experience. Naturally, we’re not talking about visiting whales in aquariums. So, a bit of luck is also needed. But those who have the privilege of seeing them will never forget the experience.