Camamu, Bahia: historic town, bay islands and things to do

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Camamu (BA): historic center, bay islands and things to do

Camamu is one of the oldest towns in Brazil, set on the banks of the rio Acaraí, on the Costa do Dendê (Palm Oil Coast), in the Baixo Sul (Lower South) region of Bahia. Surrounded by mangroves, the town preserves colonial churches and mansions. In addition, it is the main departure port for the islands of the Baía de Camamu, for Barra Grande and for the Península de Maraú.

Quick summary – Camamu (BA)

Location: Baixo Sul of Bahia, on the Costa do Dendê, along the BA-001 highway.
Population: 30,469 inhabitants (2022 IBGE Census).
History: settlement founded around 1560, then a vila (township) in 1693 and finally a town in 1891.
Highlights: upper town and lower town, colonial churches, the port and boat trips around the islands.
Islands: Pedra Furada, Ilha Grande, Campinho, Sapinho and Goió.
Tip: this is where the speedboats leave for Barra Grande, on the Península de Maraú.

Video about the town of Camamu and the bay islands

Baía de Camamu e Península de Maraú03:47

Cidade de Camamu na Bahia - Drone06:59

Pontos turísticos da Baía de Camamu BA10:15

Ilhas da Baía de Camamu - Parte 107:06

Ilhas da Baía de Camamu - Parte 203:27

Ilhas da Baía de Camamu - Parte 307:03

Ilha da Pedra Furada na Baía de Camamu04:56

Ilha do Goió03:14

The town of Camamu

Just like Salvador, the town was built on two levels. In the upper town, you will find the old churches and colonial houses. Meanwhile, the lower town holds the port, the market and the shops, beside the rio Acaraí.

According to the IBGE, the municipality has 30,469 inhabitants and covers about 840 km². Today, the economy revolves around rubber, cattle ranching, fishing and, increasingly, tourism.

History of Camamu

The region was inhabited by Indigenous peoples; tradition mentions the Macamamus, who gave the place its name. Around 1560, Portuguese settlers and Jesuits established themselves in the village, which then became known as Nossa Senhora da Assunção de Macamamu.

Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Assunção in Camamu

During the colonial period, the settlement prospered as a major producer of cassava flour. As a result, it attracted pirates and invaders. Between 1624 and 1627, for example, it suffered several Dutch attacks. According to tradition, the residents then blocked the harbor passage with large rocks, which still force boats to zigzag through the channel.

Later, on May 22, 1693, the village was raised to the status of vila. Next, in 1782, the bandeirante João Gonçalves da Costa opened, by order of the Crown, the first road between Camamu and the Bahian sertão (backlands), known as the Estrada das Nações (Road of Nations). Finally, the vila became a town on June 22, 1891. Afterwards, in 1961, part of its territory formed the municipality of Ibirapitanga.

Baía de Camamu

Considered the third largest bay in Brazil, after the Baía de Todos os Santos and the Baía de Guanabara, it measures about 24 by 43 km. There, islands of various sizes, beaches, forests and mangroves remain well preserved.

Moreover, with steady winds and deep, calm waters, the bay is excellent for sailing and has many safe anchorages. Therefore, it welcomes sailboats from Brazil and abroad.

Since 2002, much of the region has been part of an Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA), an Environmental Protection Area of about 118,000 hectares in Maraú, in the municipality itself, in Itacaré and in Igrapiúna. Thanks to its difficult access, the bay holds one of the largest areas of preserved mangrove in the country. Thus, residents still live from fishing and get around in dugout canoes carved from tree trunks.

Boat trips around the islands

Schooner or speedboat trips leave from the port and visit islands surrounded by native forest and small villages. To explore the maze of rivers, channels and islands, especially in the southern part of the bay, the speedboat is the best option. See more details in our guide to the Baía de Camamu.

Ilha da Pedra Furada

Small but very beautiful, the island has clear waters and a large rock with a hole through it, which gives the place its name. For this reason, it is a great spot for photos and snorkeling.

Ilha Grande

As the largest and most populated island in the bay, it has calm-water beaches, a small port and a few guesthouses. Since there are no cars, the streets are trails, great for walking. At the northern tip, incidentally, Prainha offers a paradise-like setting.

Ilha do Campinho

With calm, transparent waters, the island is ideal for snorkeling, because it is rich in marine life.

Ilha do Sapinho

A regular stop on schooner trips, the island also has preserved mangroves and bars serving fried fish, crab, blue crab, lobster and moquecas made with dendê (palm oil).

Ilha do Goió

Right next door, separated from Sapinho by an arm of the sea, Goió has fine white sand and crystal-clear water. Consequently, it is one of the most beautiful spots in the bay.

Other islands

Besides these, the bay also has Ilha do Âmbar, a former quilombo (a settlement founded by escaped enslaved people), as well as Ilha das Flores, Ilha do Contrato and Ilha da Coroa Vermelha.

Getting there and practical tips

By car: the town lies on the BA-001, between Valença and Itacaré.
From Salvador: the shortest route is by ferry to Bom Despacho, on the Ilha de Itaparica, and then along the BA-001.
To Barra Grande: speedboats and boats leave from the town port; in general, confirm the schedules at the pier itself.
Tours: book island trips in advance, especially in the low season.

Frequently asked questions about Camamu

Where is Camamu?

Camamu is in the Baixo Sul of Bahia, on the Costa do Dendê, on the banks of the rio Acaraí.

In addition, it lies on the BA-001, between Valença and Itacaré.

Is Camamu an old town?

Yes. The settlement emerged around 1560 and was raised to a vila in 1693.

That is why the upper town still preserves colonial churches and houses.

What are the islands of the Baía de Camamu?

The most visited are Pedra Furada, Ilha Grande, Campinho, Sapinho and Goió.

There are also Ilha do Âmbar, Ilha das Flores, Ilha do Contrato and Ilha da Coroa Vermelha.

How do you get from Camamu to Barra Grande?

By speedboat or boat, leaving from the town port.

However, check the schedules beforehand, because they change with the season.

Is the Baía de Camamu the third largest in Brazil?

Yes, it is considered the third largest, after the Baía de Todos os Santos and the Baía de Guanabara.

In fact, it measures about 24 by 43 km.

Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →

Published on 29/12/2012 · Updated on 22/10/2026