Quick summary

• Foundation: traditionally recorded as 1581; developed as a market town in the early 18th century.
• Gateway to the Abrolhos Marine National Park — a base for excursions and diving.
• Humpback whale-watching season: mainly between July and November.

Video about Caravelas in Bahia

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Caravelas - Guia de Turismo02:43

Centro Histórico de Caravelas na Bahia03:14

Caravelas BA - Guia Turístico02:52

Recommended activities

A brief history

The settlement was founded in the 16th century and developed over the following centuries, becoming an important trading post during the colonial period and preserving a remarkable architectural and religious heritage.

Origin of the name

The name ‘Caravelas’ may refer to the ships used in the Age of Discovery (caravels) and is also associated with certain jellyfish commonly known as ‘caravelas’, reflecting the connection with the sea and local biodiversity.

Abrolhos Marine National Park

The Abrolhos archipelago lies approximately 70 km off the coast. It is famous for its coral reefs, rock formations known as ‘chapeirões’, and excellent conditions for diving and observing marine life.

Underwater treasures

The waters around Abrolhos are home to coral reefs, historic shipwrecks, a wide variety of fish and good visibility for diving on many days of the year.

Attractions in Caravelas

Beaches and islands

• Ponta da Baleia Beach — a protected area with unspoilt scenery; accessed via a dirt track.
• Iemanjá Beach — a long stretch of coastline with soft sand; the waters are influenced by the flow of the Caravelas River.
• Grauçá Beach — the area with the most facilities, including bars and guesthouses; close to the fishing village.
• Pontal do Sul, Cassumba Island, Barra Nova, Ponta do Catueiro — islands and isolated stretches of coastline accessible by boat, ideal for a getaway and marine wildlife watching.
• Quitongo Beach — situated in the Caravelas River estuary, an area close to research and management centres.

Historical heritage

• Church of St Anthony — an 18th-century building with Baroque and Rococo features; the interior contains historic altarpieces.
• Church of Santa Efigênia — a church with strong links to Afro-Brazilian devotion, founded in the 18th century and renovated over the years.
• Historic Centre — 19th-century colonial mansions and streets that preserve the city’s urban heritage.
• Disused railway station — a historic landmark from the period when the town was connected by rail to neighbouring towns.

1. St Anthony’s Church

The Church of St Anthony was founded in 1725, conceived by the Jesuit priest Antônio do Espírito Santo, and was completed around 1750. It underwent renovation between 1858 and 1863. The layout comprises a nave, a chancel, two sacristies and a tower with a polyhedral dome clad in white tiles. The pediment is adorned with Corinthian-style pilasters and a projecting cornice.

The interior is dominated by Rococo-style altarpieces — originally gilded and now painted white — which house sacred images from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Following the reorganisation and establishment of the diocese in 1962, the district’s cathedral was moved to Teixeira de Freitas (St Peter’s Cathedral), whilst the Church of St Anthony was designated as a co-cathedral. Situated in Praça Santo Antônio, it is an important historical and religious landmark in Caravelas.