Ilha de Itamaracá (PE): beaches, Forte Orange, what to do

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Ilha de Itamaracá lies on the north coast of Pernambuco, about 45 km from Recife. It has calm-water beaches, natural pools, coconut groves and sandbanks, such as the famous Coroa do Avião. In addition, it is home to Forte Orange, built by the Dutch in 1631, and to Vila Velha, one of the oldest settlements in Brazil.

Quick summary – Ilha de Itamaracá (PE)

Location: north coast of Pernambuco, linked to the mainland by a bridge.
Distance: about 45 km from Recife and 55 km from the airport.
Population: 24,540 inhabitants (IBGE 2022 Census), across about 66 km².
Beaches: Forte Orange, Pilar, Jaguaribe, Sossego, Enseada dos Golfinhos and Pontal.
Highlights: Forte Orange, Coroa do Avião, Vila Velha and Projeto Peixe-Boi.
Best time to go: from September to March, during the dry season.

Where it is and map of Ilha de Itamaracá

In short, the island lies on the north coast of Pernambuco, separated from the mainland by the canal de Santa Cruz. Accordingly, access is via the Ponte Presidente Getúlio Vargas, starting from Itapissuma. As a result, you can get there by car in about an hour from Recife.

The municipality has coastal restinga, mangroves and patches of forest, as well as the rios Paripe e Jaguaribe and the lagoa Pai Tomé. For this reason, it is also a good destination for ecotourism.

Video about Ilha de Itamaracá

Ilha de Itamaracá Guia Turismo04:00

Ilha de Itamaracá Guia Viagem03:05

Ilha de Itamaracá - Drone

Cheguei na Ilha de Itamaracá e ME SURPREENDI08:28:06

Beaches of Ilha de Itamaracá

The island’s beaches generally have calm sea, sheltered by reefs. Moreover, at low tide natural pools and sandbanks form.

Praia do Forte Orange: one of the most famous, with calm waters, light sand and plenty of beach stalls and restaurants; therefore, it is ideal for families.
Praia do Pilar: it lies in the municipal seat, close to the small town center.
Praia de Jaguaribe: known for its low-tide natural pools, so it is good for swimming and snorkeling.
Praia do Sossego: quieter and more secluded, perfect for relaxing.
Enseada dos Golfinhos and Pontal: at the far end of the island, with fewer crowds.

Praia do Forte Orange on Ilha de Itamaracá

Attractions on Ilha de Itamaracá

Forte Orange

Forte Orange is the island’s main historical attraction. First, the Dutch built it in 1631 at the southern entrance of the canal de Santa Cruz, with earthen walls. Incidentally, the name honors Prince Frederick Henry of Orange. After the Dutch were expelled, the Portuguese rebuilt it in stone and renamed it Fortaleza de Santa Cruz.

Today, you can also visit the interior and climb up to the cannon area, which offers a lovely view of the sea and Coroa do Avião. However, opening hours change; so check before you go.

Walls of Forte Orange on Ilha de Itamaracá

Coroa do Avião

Coroa do Avião is a small sand islet opposite Praia do Forte Orange, on the other side of the channel. It was formed by the force of ocean currents and, in fact, belongs to the municipality of Igarassu. The crossing takes just a few minutes by speedboat or motorized jangada raft.

There, you will also find stalls serving regional food and clear waters, good for swimming and kitesurfing. In addition, the islet hosts a station of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco dedicated to the study of migratory birds.

Coroa do Avião opposite Ilha de Itamaracá

Vila Velha

Vila Velha was founded in 1534 and was once the seat of the captaincy of Itamaracá. Today, however, it is a small village of simple houses around the old Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição. There are also ruins of what is believed to have been the church of Nossa Senhora dos Pretos.

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição on Ilha de Itamaracá

Because the spot sits high up, you can see the sea, the canal de Santa Cruz and Coroa do Avião. That is why it is a great lookout point in the late afternoon.

Projeto Peixe-Boi

The island is home to a rehabilitation center for the peixe-boi marinho (West Indian manatee), an endangered species. There, visitors also learn about the animal and, sometimes, can see it up close. However, visiting arrangements may change; so confirm before you go.

Trails and ecotourism

Finally, trails through the mangroves and restinga let you explore the island’s rich nature. In addition, boat trips along the canal de Santa Cruz round off the itinerary.

History of Ilha de Itamaracá

According to IBGE, Vila Velha was founded in 1534 by Captain João Gonçalves and became a town in 1540, as the seat of the captaincy of Itamaracá. Incidentally, the island gave its name to one of Brazil’s hereditary captaincies. Tradition also holds that, as early as 1526, a chapel dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Conceição stood there.

Thanks to sugar, the island prospered: in 1630, Vila Velha had about a hundred houses and a Santa Casa de Misericórdia. Shortly afterwards, in 1631, the Dutch invaded the island, built Forte Orange and used it as a granary. Later, however, they were expelled by the Portuguese.

Aerial view of Forte Orange on Ilha de Itamaracá

In 1763, according to IBGE, the island was bought for the Portuguese Crown for 4,000 cruzados. Then, in 1866, it became a district of Igarassu. Finally, state law no. 3,338 of December 31, 1958 created the municipality, which was installed on March 17, 1962. Today, the municipal seat is in Pilar.

How to get there and tips

By car: from Recife, it is about 45 km via the BR-101 and the PE-035, up to the Itapissuma bridge.
By plane: Recife airport is about 55 km away.
Best time to go: from September to March, during the dry season.
Accommodation: options range from simple guesthouses (pousadas) to more comfortable hotels.
Combine with: Igarassu and the north coast of Pernambuco.

Frequently asked questions about Ilha de Itamaracá

Where is Ilha de Itamaracá?

It lies on the north coast of Pernambuco, about 45 km from Recife.

In addition, it is linked to the mainland by a bridge.

What are the best beaches on the island?

The most popular are Forte Orange, Pilar, Jaguaribe and Sossego.

It is also worth crossing over to Coroa do Avião.

What is Forte Orange?

It is a fortress built by the Dutch in 1631 and later rebuilt by the Portuguese.

Today, it is the island’s main historical attraction.

Is Coroa do Avião in Itamaracá?

Not exactly: the islet lies opposite the island, but it belongs to Igarassu.

Even so, the crossing departs from Praia do Forte Orange.

How do I get to Ilha de Itamaracá from Recife?

By car, via the BR-101 and the PE-035, in about an hour.

Finally, you cross the bridge from Itapissuma.

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 06/09/2013 · Updated on 24/10/2026