Discover Bom Jesus dos Passos Island: A peaceful retreat in Todos os Santos Bay

The Island of Bom Jesus dos Passos, located in the Bay of All Saints, is a small, peaceful island just a 10-minute boat ride from Madre de Deus and close to the Island of the Brothers.

Island structure

The island has a sloop shipyard and a single village with cobbled, tree-lined streets. There are also bars, a simple restaurant and a bakery.

Main monument

The Church of Bom Jesus dos Passos is the most important monument on the island.

Natural setting

Surrounded by mangroves and dense forest, Bom Jesus dos Passos Island offers beautiful scenery, with the church of the same name in the background. The sea, with its vast blue expanse and calm waters, is ideal for fishing and water sports.

Population and accommodation

With five thousand inhabitants in just one kilometre, the island offers guesthouses, restaurants and cheap grocery stores, as well as a large area for camping and opportunities for water sports and fishing. The island is known for its four beaches with calm, blue waters perfect for swimming.

Main beaches

• Pontinha Beach: The beach in front of the church
• Northeast beach
• Ponta do Padre beach

Access and local culture

Although little known to most of the population of Salvador, the island of Bom Jesus dos Passos belongs to the municipality. The only access to the island is by sea, with boats leaving from Madre de Deus, 65 kilometres from Salvador.

It is worth exploring its quiet streets, where the inhabitants live mainly from fishing and carpentry.

Points of interest include the Solar dos Duarte, the fountains of Rua, Porrãozinho and Grande, and the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição.

These features make Bom Jesus dos Passos Island a traditional fishing village that preserves the cultural characteristics of the Baiano region of the Recôncavo and the unique Christian festivals that mark the local calendar.

See the map of Todos os Santos Bay

Videos of Bom Jesus dos Passos Island

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Ilha de Bom Jesus dos Passos - Guia Turístico05:45

Ilha de Bom Jesus dos Passos - Curiosidades01:00

Ilha de Bom Jesus dos Passos - Drone

Tourist information about Bom Jesus dos Passos Island

1. Tradition

The Island of Bom Jesus dos Passos preserves its historical charm with its centuries-old houses, with their simple architecture and rich history.

Fishing is the main economic activity on the island, as in the villages of the Recôncavo Baiano, and this tradition lives on in the rafts and sailboats that adorn the sea.

In addition, lace makers and shellfish gatherers play an important role in preserving the knowledge passed down from generation to generation.

2. Religiousness

Religion is a striking cultural feature of the island of Bom Jesus dos Passos. Among the most important religious festivities is the Feast of Senhor Bom Jesus dos Passos, celebrated in January, with processions and novenas preceding the main event.

The following day is the maritime procession of Our Lady of the Navigators, both celebrated on the second Saturday in January. During this period, the island receives many visitors, many of whom choose to stay in tents, as the island has only two simple inns.

These religious events and the local hospitality attract visitors from different regions of the country who come to experience the cultural and spiritual traditions of the island.

3. Church of Bom Jesus dos Passos

The Church of Bom Jesus dos Passos is one of the most important landmarks of the island. Construction of the church began in 1766, after its approval in 1726.

The interior of the church is decorated in neoclassical style, with three altars and an image of Senhor dos Passos (Lord of the Stairs), carved in wood by Félix Pereira. The façade is in rococo style.

The church is under the care of the Brotherhood of Senhor Bom Jesus dos Passos, founded in 1815.

Although located in Salvador, the church is linked to the Parish of the Holy Family in Madre de Deus, which has been under the Diocese of Camaçari since 2010.

4. Celebrities

Among the island’s most illustrious residents is the singer-songwriter Gerônimo, who for the past five years has led the project “O Pagador de Promessas” (The Guardian of Promises), bringing cultural and musical performances to the island.

Another important figure is the artist Izolino Passos, creator of the traditional “Ternos de Reis” (Kings’ Costumes), Carnival blocks and “caretas do carnaval” (Carnival masks).

The “caretas” are a tradition in which children and young people wear masks and parade through the streets, scaring and having fun in the days leading up to Carnival.

5. Beaches

The most popular beaches on the island are Pontinha Beach and Ponta do Padre Beach. Unlike Ilha de Maré and Ilha dos Frades, these beaches do not have wide stretches of sand, but are sought after for their calm waters and natural beauty.

History of Bom Jesus dos Passos Island

The island was originally inhabited by the Tupinambás Indians and was known as Pataíba Assú.

In 1624 it was colonised by the Dutch, who settled in the region after battles, and the island became known as Ilha dos Brancos (Island of the Whites), as blacks were forbidden to enter.

Later, the island welcomed blacks from Maragojipe, who established trade with the island. For years, the island served as a base for sailboats transporting goods from the Recôncavo to Salvador.

In 1776, the island was given its current name after Dr André de Carvalho built the Senhor dos Passos church.

The church was built on the site of a former cemetery, where human remains were found during renovations. In the past, it was customary to bury nobles and commoners in churches.

The festival of Bom Jesus dos Passos has Roman origins and was brought to Brazil by the Jesuits during the colonial period.

The first records of this festival in Bahia date back to the early 18th century, when it was restricted to the elite. It was not until 1771 that the festival became popular among the poorer classes, and it was not until the 1930s that it really took off.

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

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