The Alcatrazes Archipelago was once the target of cannon fire, Alcatrazes is a living laboratory for evolutionary studies. Located just a few kilometres off the coast of São Paulo State, the Alcatrazes Archipelago is a small group of islands of strategic importance to Brazil that has been the target of […]
Islands of Brazil
The Islands of Brazil: Natural beauty and must-see destinations
Brazil, with its extensive coastline of more than 8,000 kilometres, is home to several paradise islands, many of them unspoilt and full of natural secrets.
From continental islands to distant oceanic formations, the country offers options for all traveller profiles.
Types of islands
An island is any piece of land surrounded by water. In Brazil they are classified as
1. continental islands
They are close to the mainland and share the same geological base, being part of the extension of the continental territory.
The separation is usually due to natural processes such as erosion and sea-level changes.
Examples: Ilhabela (SP), Ilha Grande (RJ), Santa Catarina Island (SC).
2. Oceanic islands
With no direct connection to the mainland, they are formed by distinct geological formations such as volcanic eruptions or coral reefs.
- Volcanic islands: formed by cooled lava.
- Coral islands: Formed by the accumulation of coral.
Examples: Fernando de Noronha (PE), Atol das Rocas (RN), Trindade and Martim Vaz (ES).
3. Other classifications
- Marine islands: located in the ocean.
- River islands: located in rivers.
- Lacustrine islands: in lakes.
- Maritime-fluvial islands: between rivers and the sea, such as Marajó Island (PA).
Brazil’s main islands
1. Fernando de Noronha (PE)
Known as the King of the Brazilian Islands, it enchants with its crystal clear waters, unspoilt marine life and breathtaking landscapes.
2. Island of Tinharé (BA)
Home to the famous Morro de São Paulo, with paradise beaches and vibrant nightlife.
3. Ilha Grande (RJ)
A nature reserve near Angra dos Reis, with deserted beaches and trails in the Atlantic Forest.
4. Abrolhos Archipelago (BA)
Destination for divers, with humpback whale watching between July and November.
5. Ilhabela (SP)
With private beaches, waterfalls and trails, it’s ideal for adventure and relaxation.
6. Ilha do Mel (PR)
Unspoilt destination with limited access and rustic landscapes.
7. Island of Santa Catarina (SC)
Home to Florianópolis, famous for its varied beaches, dunes and lakes.
8. Island of Caju (MA/PI)
Part of the Parnaíba Delta, it offers fresh water beaches, natural pools and ecotourism.
9. Boipeba Island (BA)
Quieter than Tinharé, it’s a paradise of private beaches and unspoilt nature.
10. Marajó Island (PA)
The largest river and sea island in the world, famous for its buffaloes and Marajó culture.
Lesser known but incredible islands
11. Cardoso Island (SP)
Within a State Park, with mangroves, trails and caiçara communities.
12. Algodoal Island (PA)
Rustic island with lagoons, canoeing and no motorised vehicles.
13. Japanese Island (RJ)
In Cabo Frio, famous for its shallow and calm waters, ideal for families.
14. Couves Island (SP)
Near Ubatuba, with crystal clear waters and visitor controls for environmental reasons.
15. Island of Itamaracá (PE)
Near Recife, it combines history, quiet beaches and the manatee project.
16. Campeche Island (SC)
Known as the Caribbean of Santa Catarina, it has rock inscriptions and access control.
17. Combu Island (PA)
Opposite Belém, it’s home to native cocoa, forest trails and Amazonian cuisine.
Jararaca-ilhoa: Endemic Species of Queimada Grande
The jararaca-ilhoa lives exclusively on the island of Queimada Grande, also known as the island of snakes. The jararaca-ilhoa is a sui generis snake, adapted to living in trees or semi-trees, which is reflected in various aspects of its morphology and behaviour. More than 30 species of jararaca snakes have […]
Trindade and Martim Vaz: Discovering the Archipelago
Trindade and Martim Vaz – History, shipwrecks, geography, flora and fauna Trindade and Martim Vaz Archipelago Trindade e Martim Vaz is a Brazilian archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, a Federal Territory off the coast of Espírito Santo, about 1,200 kilometres east of Vitória. It consists of two main islands (Trindade […]
Spinner Dolphins in Fernando de Noronha: A Guide
Spinner dolphins in Fernando de Noronha: a natural spectacle In the bay of Baía dos Golfinhos, in Fernando de Noronha, there is a high concentration of spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris), an oceanic and tropical species known for its acrobatic behaviour, jumping out of the water with up to seven turns […]
Anchieta Island: History, Beaches, and Nature
Anchieta Island: History, nature and adventure on the coast of São Paulo Anchieta Island is one of the main tourist attractions of Ubatuba, famous for its prison ruins, beautiful beaches, nature trails, excellent snorkelling spots and the preserved Atlantic Forest in the Anchieta Island State Park. With 828 hectares, Anchieta […]
Ponta do Boi Lighthouse in Ilhabela
The Ponta do Boi Lighthouse is located on the largest sea island in Brazil – São Sebastião, opposite the city of the same name. So named by Américo Vespúcio in 1502, the now famous Ilhabela, paradise for tourists, was once hell for many who lost their lives in its waters. […]
The Marajó Archipelago
The Marajó Archipelago is located at the mouth of the Amazon River in the state of Pará, bordering the Amazon and the Atlantic Ocean. It is made up of approximately 3,000 islands, with emphasis on Marajó Island, its largest island, with 49,602 m². Marajó Island enchants its visitors for the […]
Itamaracá Island: Your Ultimate Guide to Tropical Bliss in Brazil
Itamaracá Island offers beaches with calm waters and natural pools. Ilha de Itamaracá is a charming tourist destination located off the coast of the state of Pernambuco in Brazil. Known for its natural and historical beauty, the island offers a variety of attractions for all types of visitors. About 50 […]
Wreck of the Corvette Ipiranga in Fernando de Noronha
Corvette Ipiranga (V-17): One of Brazil’s most iconic shipwrecks One of Brazil’s most famous shipwrecks, the Brazilian Navy’s Corvette V-17 – Ipiranga, lies at a depth of around 62 metres in the waters off Ponta da Sapata in the Fernando de Noronha archipelago. Very well preserved by the island’s dive […]
São Pedro and São Paulo Archipelago
The archipelago of São Pedro e São Paulo is a group of small rocky islands located in the central part of the equatorial Atlantic Ocean, 627 kilometers from the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, 986 kilometers from the nearest point of the continent and 1010 km from Natal, in the […]
Experience the Tropical Paradise of Ilha Grande in Rio de Janeiro
Ilha Grande is full of natural beauty, beaches and trails. Ilha Grande, situated in the municipality of Angra dos Reis in the state of Rio de Janeiro, is a tropical paradise known for its natural beauty, stunning trails and paradisiacal beaches. With its unspoilt nature, Ilha Grande is the perfect […]
The island of Santa Catarina is part of the municipality of Florianópolis
The island of Santa Catarina is part of the municipality of Florianópolis and is located in the Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Brazil, in the center of the coastline of the state of Santa Catarina. It is about 54 km long (north-south) by no more than 18 km […]
Ilhabela is the hottest spot on the north coast of São Paulo State
Ilhabela is considered one of the most popular destinations on the north coast of São Paulo. Known for its natural beauty, the island attracts tourists looking for parties and nightlife as well as those who want to relax on paradisiacal beaches and explore trails and waterfalls. Some of the main […]
Fernando de Noronha Beaches: A Complete Guide
Fernando de Noronha Beaches: A complete guide Fernando de Noronha is an archipelago of stunning beaches, each with its own unique characteristics. Some are ideal for snorkelling, others for swimming, observation, surfing and other activities. Video about the beaches and attractions of Fernando de Noronha See the map of beaches […]
Fernando de Noronha archipelago
Fernando de Noronha Archipelago: History, Geography and Tourism The Fernando de Noronha Archipelago consists of 21 islands, islets and rocks of volcanic origin in the South Equatorial Atlantic Ocean. The main island, also known as Fernando de Noronha, is the only inhabited island and accounts for about 91 per cent […]
Surfing in Fernando de Noronha: Everything You Need to Know
Surfing in Fernando de Noronha: The Brazilian Hawaii of swells Fernando de Noronha is widely regarded as one of the best surfing destinations in Brazil and is often referred to as the Brazilian Hawaii due to its powerful and consistent swells. Wave Season The surfing season in Fernando de Noronha […]
Diving in the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago
Diving in the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago Diving is Fernando de Noronha’s biggest attraction. The waters are so transparent that the visibility on the seabed can exceed 40 metres. It is an excellent place to observe a natural system with around 230 species of fish, fifteen species of coral and […]
How to get there, when to go and what to do in Fernando de Noronha?
Fernando de Noronha: When to go and what to do Fernando de Noronha is located 545 kilometres from Recife, capital of the state of Pernambuco; 360 kilometres from Natal, capital of the state of Rio Grande do Norte; and 710 kilometres from Fortaleza, capital of the state of Ceará. How […]
Atol das Rocas – Origin, Biology, Climate and Shipwrecks
Atol das Rocas is the only atoll present in the western South Atlantic Ocean. Atol das Rocas is located about 145 km west of the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha and approximately 260 km northeast of the city of Natal, in Rio Grande do Norte, being the only atoll present […]
Brazil has oceanic and continental islands
The thermilogical differentiation between these two types, oceanic and continental islands, is related to the greater or lesser distance from the continent. If the island is close to the continental coast, it is a continental island and if it is far away, lost in the middle of the oceans, it […]
History of Itaparica Island in the Baía de Todos os Santos
The history of Itaparica Island, located in Todos os Santos Bay, is marked by a rich interweaving of cultures and significant events from pre-colonial times to the present day. Initially inhabited by the Tupinambás, the island became a strategic point for the Portuguese at the beginning of the 16th century, […]