Itaparica Island: A treasure in the Bay of All Saints

The Island of Itaparica is the largest island in the Bay of All Saints, with an area of 240 km². The name Itaparica means “stone fence”, derived from a coral reef located 1 km from the beaches facing the Atlantic Ocean.

Connection to the mainland

The island of Itaparica, the largest marine island off the Brazilian coast, is connected to the mainland by the Funil Bridge. It is home to the municipalities of Itaparica and Vera Cruz, the latter occupying 87% of the island’s territory.

History and pioneering spirit

The settlement of the island of Itaparica began in 1560, when Jesuit priests settled in the village of Nosso Senhor da Vera Cruz, now known as Vila de Baiacu.

Itaparica is known as the birthplace of the first Brazilian family, the result of the union between the Indian Paraguaçu and the Portuguese Diogo Álvares “Caramuru”.

The island has a pioneering spirit, having built the country’s first dam and later the first industrial steam engine in Brazilian territory.

Hydromineral Resort

Famous for its mineral waters, the island was declared a Hydromineral Resort in 1937.

Culture and literature

Itaparica is also the birthplace of writer João Ubaldo Ribeiro, author of works such as Sargento Getúlio, Viva o Povo Brasileiro, O Sorriso do Lagarto (The Lizard’s Smile) and A Casa dos Budas Ditosos (The House of Happy Buddhas), among others.

Ecotourism and Natural Beauty

The island of Itaparica offers visitors a variety of ecotourism opportunities, mineral water springs and beautiful beaches. Protected by coral reefs, these beaches have calm waters, ideal for swimming and diving.

Map of Itaparica Island[/caption]

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Videos about Itaparica Island and its history

Tourist attractions on Itaparica Island

The Island of Itaparica is a popular tourist destination due to its combination of natural beauty, tranquil beaches and rich historical heritage.

Located just 13 km from Salvador, the island is known for its calm waters, ideal for water sports and swimming, as well as its lush vegetation and mangroves.

In addition to its natural attractions, the island offers a trip back in time with its colonial buildings, such as the Church of Santo Antônio and the Fort of São Lourenço, and a peaceful atmosphere that preserves the local culture, marked by the presence of fishermen and artisans.

The island of Itaparica is home to the municipalities of

• Itaparica
• Vera Cruz, the latter occupying 87% of the island’s territory.

1. Tourist attractions in the village of Itaparica

A visit to the Historic Centre is a must in the town that is the seat of the municipality of the same name, located at one end of the island of Itaparica.

1.1. Church of São Lourenço and Mother Church of the Blessed Sacrament

The Church of São Lourenço, patron saint of the island, built in 1610 in Baroque style with lime, stone and whale oil, and the Mother Church of the Blessed Sacrament, inaugurated in 1719, where you can admire the beautiful panels depicting the Last Supper and the miracles of the Blessed Sacrament, painted by Manoel Teófilo de Jesus, one of the most talented artists of sacred art of the time.

The Church of São Lourenço is considered the protector of rain and wind and is the patron saint of the island of Itaparica. In 1638, from the pulpit of this church, Father Ferreira protested against the invasion of the city by Dutch heretics.

1.2. Handicraft Centre

In the same area, the Craft Centre is located in the Tenente Botas Mansion, in Praça dos Tamarindeiros, also known as Largo da Quitanda, where the night life takes place.

1.3. Sacatar Institute

The Sacatar Institute, a space where local artists work, is located at Rua da Alegria 10.

In the village of Ponta de Areia stands the Fort of São Lourenço, built in the 18th century on the ruins of old Dutch fortifications. It was the scene of one of the most violent battles of the War of Independence in 1822.

1.4. Bica Fountain

The Fonte da Bica fountain, in Rua 25 de Outubro, has mineral water with proven medicinal properties. There you can see the inscription: “Fine water makes old women young again”.

This famous fountain has been a reliable source of water since the 16th century.

For this reason, in the first half of the 20th century, Itaparica was declared a hydromineral spa.

Known for the purity of its holy water and the mineral properties of its waters, it is recommended for the treatment of illnesses, especially digestive disorders. Its main medicinal property is diuretic.

For a long time it was also called the “fountain of youth”.

1.5. Ponta de Areia beach

The municipality has popular beaches such as Praia da Ponta de Areia (3km from the centre), with calm waters and lots of boats and schooners.

1.6. Amoreiras beach

Amoreiras Beach (3 km from the centre, continuing from Ponta de Areia), whose shore is lined with almond trees that provide shade.

1.7. Manguinhos Beach

Manguinhos Beach (3.5km from the centre), mainly occupied by holiday homes, has calm waters, ideal for swimming and water sports.

1.8. Porto dos Santos beach

Porto dos Santos beach (4km from the centre) is semi-deserted and surrounded by dense Atlantic forest vegetation. Nearby is a village where a path leads to Fonte dos Milagres, a place considered mystical and very popular with Candomblé followers.

These miracles are attributed to an old black man called Wenceslau, who is said to have cured his blindness by washing his eyes with water from the spring.

1.9. Gameleira Beach

Gameleira Beach (12 km from the centre) is a good place for swimming, water sports and fishing.

1.10. Island of Fear

Island of Fear, inhabited only by wild cats, is full of mystery and ghost stories. It is said that a Jesuit priest was paid to celebrate mass, but never did.

When he died, his spirit was said to have remained imprisoned on the island, appearing to people and inviting them to attend the Mass he had not celebrated in his lifetime. The “ghosts” on the island are said to be the lepers who lived in an asylum that existed there in the 19th century.

The intrepid can hire a boat from Ponta de Ltaparica and take a look.

2. Tourist Attractions in the Municipality of Vera Cruz

The municipality of Vera Cruz, whose administrative centre is the town of Mar Grande, is well equipped to welcome visitors, with historical monuments, vast protected areas, mangroves, beaches, islets and a rich folklore.

It is a paradise for water sports, parachuting and diving.

The waters that surround Vera Cruz are home to a wide variety of marine life. Fishing is the main source of livelihood for the local population, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy a varied menu based on fish and seafood.

2.1. The Bahian Pantanal on Itaparica Island

Beautiful region of mangroves and channels where you can see many different animals. Known as an “ecological sanctuary”.

It covers the south-west coast of the island of Itaparica and the mainland opposite.

The uniqueness of the region lies in the combination of rivers that mix fresh and salt water, canals, mangroves, white sand beaches and Atlantic forest, home to birds, wolves, anteaters, foxes, pacas and armadillos, as well as fish such as whiting, mullet and dentex.

The coast of Itaparica, facing the channel, is a region of mangroves with small, poor fishing villages.

The island of Matarandiba has white sandy beaches and coconut trees.

The town of Jaguaripe, a port founded by the Portuguese in the 16th century to load caravels with palm oil, coconuts and piassava, has some interesting features: it is connected by underground tunnels, which in the past were used by the inhabitants to defend themselves from attacks by indigenous peoples.

In the basement of the Municipal Palace, now converted into a cultural centre, was the dreaded salt prison, whose cells were flooded by the sea at high tide.

2.2. Baiacu Ecological Park

Although it is still under construction, it is also an excellent place for hiking, where you can visit the ruins of the 16th century church of Senhor de Vera Cruz and see examples of the region’s typical flora, such as the sacred gameleira trees of the Candomblé.

2.3. Cacha-Pregos Beach

It exists and is located in Cacha-Pregos, or to explain it better, where Judas lost his boots, at the southern tip of Ilha de Itaparica.

A lively village with inns and restaurants, it is the starting point for boat trips to the Bahia Pantanal, Matarandiba Island, where the Tororó spring is located, Saraíba Island, Pinaúnas Reef and Caramuanas Reef, a natural pool in the middle of the sea with clear water and multicoloured fish, one of the most popular attractions.

The calm waters of Cacha Pregos beach offer a fascinating sunset.

3. Beaches on Itaparica Island

A coral reef, 1 km from the beaches facing the Atlantic, forms a large natural pool, ideal for swimming (with clean, warm water), water sports and diving (the outside of the coral is ideal for underwater hunting).

Located just 17 km from Salvador, the island of Itaparica is almost an extension of the Bahian capital, with excellent condominiums and summer homes.

It is divided into two municipalities – Itaparica and Vera Cruz – and has almost two miles of beaches and some colonial buildings.

You can hire boats for excursions, bicycles, kayaks, horses and combis to explore the beaches.

The island of Itaparica can be reached by ferry (which takes about 1 hour between the terminals of São Joaquim, in Salvador, and Bom Despacho, on the island – where there are buses, taxis and rental cars), by speedboats (which leave from the Tourist Terminal, behind the Mercado Modelo, towards Praia de Mar Grande) or by land, via the road that leaves from the BR 101 and connects the west side of the island to the mainland.

3.1. Praia do Forte

Next to the historic centre of Itaparica, the main attraction is the Fort of São Lourenço (1711), a reminder of a past when Itaparica was a centre for sugar cane production, coveted by pirates and the Dutch, and a centre of the struggle for Brazilian independence.

There is also the Fonte da Bica (curative mineral water).

3.2. Ponta de Areia beach

Shallow and with almost no waves, this beach has beach huts, a village and summer houses. It is very popular and good for fishing.

3.3. Amoreiras Beach

Next to a village, with holiday homes and bars on the sand. Access to these beaches from the road is quite precarious.

3.4. Manguinhos Beach

Mainly occupied by holiday homes, this beach has calm waters, ideal for swimming and water sports.

3.5. Porto dos Santos beach

Semi-deserted, it is surrounded by the dense vegetation of the Atlantic Forest. Nearby is a village where the trail to the Fonte dos Milagres (Miracle Fountain) begins, a place considered mystical and much sought after by followers of Candomblé.

These miracles are attributed to an old black man called Wenceslau, who is said to have cured his blindness by washing his eyes with water from the spring.

3.6. Gameleira Beach

Ideal for swimming, water sports and fishing. It is located opposite a village with narrow streets and old houses, in the municipality of Vera Cruz. There is a guesthouse and stalls selling food and drink.

3.7. Mar Grande beach

Located in the municipality of Vera Cruz, this beach is urbanised (with old buildings) and has the Porto do Duro (boats to Salvador).

Some sections are known as Jaburu, Ilhota and Gamboa. There are several inns, campsites and bars.

3.8. Penha Beach

The most fashionable, with nice summer houses and views of Salvador. A gap in the reef wall makes Ponta da Penha (where there is a chapel in honour of Nossa Senhora da Penha) one of the few surfing spots on the island.

3.9. Barra do Gil beach

Situated opposite a fishing village, a gated community occupies part of the coastline. The beach is about 1km away, with no waves and fine white sand. Access is by gravel road and there is a guesthouse.

3.10. Coroa Beach

At 2.5 km away, it has many coconut trees. It has condominiums, cottages and fishermen’s houses, but lacks infrastructure. Access is by land.

3.11. Pot Bar

Like the previous beaches, this one offers views of Salvador. With no waves and fine white sand, it is opposite a fishing village and has holiday homes. Access is by road and there is a guesthouse with a restaurant.

3.12. Beach of Conceição

It is 2 km away, with water and sand similar to the previous beaches. It is a fishing village with improvised bars and restaurants.

South of the centre is the Igreja Nossa Senhora da Conceição (18th century). Further on, the Méditerranée security guards and jetties in the water make access to the beach in front of the hotel difficult (but not impossible).

3.13. Barra Grande beach

It is 4 km long, with coconut trees and fine, dry sand. Some sections are known as Cardoso, Parapatinga and Pedras. At the latter, another break in the reef wall allows surfing. The beach has a hotel, guest houses and a campsite.

3.14. Praia Tairu

It has very green water, fine white sand and coconut trees. It is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island and has villas, a village, condominiums and a holiday resort.

3.15. Aratuba Beach

The presence of several apartment blocks makes access to the beach difficult. Between October and January, when the tide is low, a sandbank 3 km long forms, ideal for casting. There are guesthouses and a youth hostel.

3.16. Berlinque beach

It has limited infrastructure (small grocery shop, public telephone). It is about 3 km away, with calm waters and white sand. There are holiday homes and a fishing village. On the beach there are guesthouses, bars, a restaurant and a campsite.

3.17. Cacha-Pregos Beach

Surrounded by coconut trees and with no waves, this beach offers views of Salvador and has a hotel, guesthouses, camping and several beach huts. It is very popular in the summer. The village of the same name has five shipyards (where sailboats and schooners are built).

The expression “cacha-pregos” – which has become popular as a synonym for a very distant place – means in archaic Portuguese “hide-nails” (fish that enter the Jaguaripe River and cannot find their way back to the sea). Boats can be hired to visit the Pantanal Baiano.

4. Other islands in the Bay of All Saints

4.1. Maré Island

Located in the middle of the Bay of All Saints, the beaches of this island, some of which are almost deserted, have calm waters and natural pools.

The main ones are Praia das Neves, Itamoabo, Ilha de Maré, Praia Grande, Praia de Santana and Oratório da Maré.

In the village of Itamoabo is the 17th century church of Santana, and 1km south at Praia das Neves is the 16th century chapel of Nossa Senhora das Neves.

Quality handicrafts include lace, basketry and bamboo objects. The island has a good tourist infrastructure.

4.2. Ilha dos Frades (Brothers’ Island).

It is small and has no accommodation, but it is one of the most visited places.

It is home to the village of Ponta de Nossa Senhora. Attractions include the rich vegetation typical of the Atlantic Forest, with hiking trails, the churches of Nossa Senhora do Loreto and Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, both built in the 17th century, the ruins of a lazaretto and excellent beaches. Some, with calm waters, are ideal for swimming, water sports and diving.

Others are deserted, such as Praia da Viração, which is popular with naturists. The most popular are Paramana, Ponta de Nossa Senhora, Loreto, Viração, Tobar and Costa.

4.3. Bom Jesus dos Passos Island.

Very close to Ilha dos Frades. Nature here is lush and flowery. The population lives from fishing and carpentry.

Attractions include the Church of Bom Jesus dos Passos, the Duarte Mansion and the fountains on Porãozinho and Grande Streets. The beaches of Pontinha and Ponte do Padre are ideal for swimming and water sports.

4.4. Ponta do Garcez (Garcez Beach) in Jaguaripe

The main attraction of this stretch of land jutting out into the sea are the blue, red and yellow bromeliads that grow along its beautiful beaches.

Home to rare species such as the maned wolf and wild boar. Pure beauty, right at the mouth of the Jaguaripe River.

Tourist guide to Itaparica Island in Bahia

Bahia.ws is the biggest tourist guide for Bahia and Salvador.

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