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ILHABELA, BEYOND THE BEACH

What to do in Ilhabela.SP

The complete guide to Ilhabela

From sea to mountain, plan your days in Ilhabela. Explore beaches, trails, waterfalls and practical advice on where to eat and stay.

Find your next outing

Find your next outing

Choose a topic to browse the guides. Open an article for the practical details.

22 guides available

Castelhanos Beach
Beaches

Castelhanos Beach

The heart of Ilhabela, with open sea, Atlantic Forest and a traditional caiçara community.

Bonete Beach
Beaches

Bonete Beach

Nature, surf and one of the archipelago’s most traditional caiçara communities.

Fome Beach
Beaches

Fome Beach

A small northern bay with history and access mainly by sea.

Saco do Eustáquio
Beaches

Saco do Eustáquio

Clear, calm waters in a remote area of the island.

Indaiaúba Beach
Beaches

Indaiaúba Beach

Clear waters, a waterfall and a traditional community in the far south.

Buraco do Cação
Nature

Buraco do Cação

The natural fissure that marks Ilhabela’s southern coast.

Aerial view of Ilha das Cabras with green waters and the nearby beach, Ilhabela
Diving

Ilha das Cabras

An underwater ecological sanctuary and one of the classic diving spots.

Whale season
Whales

Whale season

When humpback whales pass Ilhabela and how the season works.

Best time to see whales
Whales

Best time to see whales

The months with the highest occurrence and what influences a departure.

Where to see whales
Whales

Where to see whales

How to observe from land and sea responsibly.

Alcatrazes
Ecotourism

Alcatrazes

Biodiversity and rules for visiting the federal protected area in the open sea.

Affordable tours in Ilhabela
Budget

Affordable tours in Ilhabela

Understand why a shared tour can reduce the per-person cost.

View of Castelhanos, Ilhabela
Culture

History of Ilhabela

From geological formation to caiçara communities and the island’s current name.

Hiker on a dirt trail through the Atlantic Forest in Ilhabela
Hiking

Hiking in Ilhabela

Plan around effort, available time and the conditions on the day.

Person at the Pico do Baepi summit looking over the São Sebastião channel
Hiking

Pico do Baepi

The first viewpoint and the summit are not the same hike.

Woman sitting on a rock in front of a tall waterfall in the forest in Ilhabela
Waterfalls

Waterfalls in Ilhabela

Água Branca, Três Tombos and Laje: different visits and essential care.

Restaurant deck with open-sea views in Ilhabela
Where to eat

Where to eat in Ilhabela

Location, boat-trip times and sea views: choose what fits your day.

People enjoying a night out at a bar in Ilhabela
Bars and nightlife

Bars in Ilhabela

Bars, live music and where to go out on the island.

Aquabus, Ilhabela’s public transport boat, at the pier
Getting around

Getting around Ilhabela

Local ride apps, buses and Aquabus: fares, timetables and planning your return.

Lit-up I love Ilhabela sign at sunset at the Mirante do Piúva, with Ilha das Cabras behind
Sunset

Sunset in Ilhabela

Viewpoints, beaches and rooftops for the end of the day.

Pool overlooking the sea and the Ilhabela channel in the late afternoon
Where to stay

Hotels and guesthouses: choosing a base

Compare location, access and facilities before booking.

Humpback whale tail rising from the sea in Ilhabela
Whales

Whales from land

Enjoy the horizon without turning a possibility into a promise.

QUICK ANSWERS

Quick answers about exploring Ilhabela by sea

Concise information to help you choose an experience. Open only the question you want to read.

How much is a shared boat tour in Ilhabela?
Scalea currently advertises shared tours at R$ 290 per person via PIX. North and South routes are available; see Shared Boat Tours for details and availability.
What is the difference between a shared tour and a private boat?
On a shared tour, different passengers share the boat and the individual cost is lower. On a private tour, the boat is exclusive to your group; compare options at Boat Rental.
When is whale season in Ilhabela?
Scalea operates its main whale-watching season between May and August. Whales are wild animals, so sightings are never guaranteed. See Whale Watching.
Which sea experiences does Scalea offer?
The website features private boat rentals, shared boat tours, whale watching, Alcatrazes trips and the 2027 Abrolhos Expedition.
Can remote Ilhabela beaches be reached by boat?
Yes. Sea routes can include destinations such as Castelhanos, Bonete, Praia da Fome, Saco do Eustáquio and Indaiaúba, depending on the chosen experience and sea conditions.
Does Scalea have options for different group sizes?
Yes. The fleet includes boats with different capacities and onboard features. Compare the available models on the Boat Rental page.
How does the 2027 Abrolhos Expedition work?
The expedition has dates in August and September 2027, lasts 4 days and 4 nights, and is limited to 14 people, with Gabriel Lisboa and Gisele Souza.