Ilha de Boipeba is located in the South of Bahia, Brazil, and was elected in 2013 by Trip Advisor as the second-best island in South America.
Boipeba Island is home to a dense Atlantic rainforest, with salt marshes, dunes, and extensive mangroves, along with luscious coconut trees dotting the beaches and numerous coral reefs. It has an incredible ecosystem and is a world of ecological diversity.
Even though the island is becoming more popular among Brazilians and foreigners because of its simple infrastructure and tranquillity, it’s still the perfect place for those who like off-the-beaten-path destinations and opulent nature.
Boipeba is one of my favourite places in Brazil! I’ve been there twice and was enchanted by its charming villages with cobblestone streets and colourful houses and delighted by the gorgeous beaches with soft sand and unbelievably warm water.
In this 2024 practical guide, there’s everything you need to know to plan a trip to Boipeba Island, including things to do, the best beaches, how to get there, where to stay and tours.
Table of Contents
Planning a Trip to Boipeba Island, Brazil
Where is Ilha de Boipeba?
Boipeba, an island part of the Tinharé Archipelago, is located in the city of Cairu, on the south coast of Bahia, Brazil, 356 Km (222 mi) away from Salvador, Bahia’s capital (check map here).
How to get to Boipeba
There are only two ways to get to Boipeba, by boat or private plane.
∗ By boat
The most common and the cheapest way. The boats depart from Valença, one of the closest cities to the island, and there are three options:
1 – Conventional service from Torrinhas town
Passengers will travel on a bus to Torrinhas and then a speedboat to the island. The journey takes around 1:30-2h, costs R$30 (US$ 6) and departs at 7:00 AM and 3:20 PM from Torrinhas, and 07:30 AM and 03:30 PM from Boipeba. Monday to Friday only.
2 – A daily catamaran/speed boat from Valença city centre to the island
Departing at: 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, and 16:00. Returning at: 07:00, 09:00, and 16:30.
It takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes (depending on the vessel and sea conditions) and costs R$ 63 (US$ 13) per person each way.
P.S.: Please note that the schedule is subject to change due to availability.
3 – Express service from Graciosa town
Passengers will travel on a bus to Graciosa followed by a speedboat to the island. It takes around 1h and costs R$ 60 (US$ 12).
From Salvador, Bahia’s capital, you can take a ferry/speed boat to Morro de São Paulo. Book your ticket online in advance here.
You can also book a transfer from Salvador to Morro de São Paulo here. The ferry departs at 9:00 and 14:30. Returning at 11:30 and 15:00. Once in Morro de São Paulo you can book a transfer to Boipeba with a local agency.
If you prefer, you can book this transfer from your hotel in Salvador or Salvador Airport to the Island of Boipeba or vice versa.
Alternatively, you can drive/take a bus to Valença and follow the steps mentioned above from there.
You can hire a car here, without any additional cost for you.
* By plane
There’s a small airport located on a farm on Tinharé Island that receives flights from Salvador. At the moment they’re only doing charter flights. It takes 30min and costs R$ 15.525 (US$ 3.013) for up to 09 people, each way.
- Read next: Practical Guide to Morro de São Paulo
The best time to visit
The island can be visited all year round, but just consider two things:
- Between Christmas and Carnival is the busiest time.
- April to July is the rainy season.
The best time for me is from September to December or two weeks after the carnival. On my second visit, I was in Boipeba just before the carnival and the island was very quiet though.
Where to Stay in Boipeba
On my second visit, I stayed at Pousada Horizonte Azul and I loved it. Some of the hotels and guesthouses that I also recommend are:
- Budget: Pedra Coral and Pousada Caminho de Pedras
- Middle range: Pousada Vila da Barra and Villa da Barca
- Luxury: O Céu de Boipeba and Pousada Mangabeiras
Where to Eat
Some of my favourite restaurants in Boipeba are: Jorge do Som and Panela de Barro (Velha Boipeba), Restaurante do Guido (Cueira Beach), Sabor da Terra (Moreré Beach), and Barraca Paraíso (Castelhanos Beach). And in Cova da Onça village are Estrela da Onça, Toca do Mar and Valdo.
- Planning to visit Itacaré? Here’s my Practical Guide to Itacaré, Brazil
Best Boipeba Beaches
The island has some of the most beautiful beaches not only in Bahia but in the whole of Brazil. They boast opulent vegetation, crystal-clear warm water and soft sand. And the best, they are very quiet.
While most of Boipeba’s beaches are not organized and completely untouched, on others, such as Boca do Rio and Castelhanos you find some more infrastructure.
Some of the best beaches in Boipeba that you can’t miss are:
Boca da Barra
It’s the closest beach to the village and has many good amenities with kiosks, restaurants, hotels and even a small shopping mall.
This is where the river meets the sea, the port is located and also where the boats depart for the tours.
With soft sand and warm water, Boca da Barra is a good place to relax, practice SUP (Stand Up Paddle Board) and watch the sunset.
Tassimirim
This beach has soft sand, warm water, lush vegetation and fine accommodation. It is perfect for swimming.
Cueira
This beach, which seems like a bay, is very long and dotted with massive coconut trees. I loved Cueira and I was in awe walking on its soft sand.
Only in one part can you find some kiosks and restaurants, although, one of the best restaurants on the island is located here (Restaurante do Guido).
To get to Cueira there are two options: walk by the shore and on some trails (around 30-40min) or take a tractor from the village.
Moreré
The most visited beach on the island and one of the best beaches in Bahia.
Moreré is famous for its crystal-clear warm water pools and coral reefs and is perfect for snorkelling and swimming. This is the most photographed spot on the island.
There are pools all over Moreré, however, the best ones are located offshore and you need to take a canoe to get there. It can be accessed only at low tide.
This breathtaking beach is also dotted with coconut trees and lush vegetation.
To get to Moreré, there are three options: walk on the shore and trails (it takes around 1h30 from the village and you can only do that at low tide because you need to cross a river near Cueira Beach), take a tractor (R$ 13/person) or a quad bike (R$ 25/person).
Bainema
Located after Moreré, this is the longest beach on the island with crystal clear water and soft sand. There’s also a mangrove, which you can walk around or explore by boat.
The atmosphere is very relaxed and laid-back. I love it!
Castelhanos
One of the most beautiful beaches in my opinion, with huge pools, exuberant vegetation and some kiosks.
This beach is very far from the village and there is almost no one there. The same applies to Moreré and Cueira.
- You may also like: Best Beaches in Itacaré, Brazil
Best Things to Do in Boipeba, Brazil
1 – Explore the village of Velha Boipeba
One of the best things to do in Boipeba is to explore Velha Boipeba, the heart of the island.
The village was founded by the Jesuits in 1537 and is one of the oldest Portuguese settlements in Bahia.
It still preserves the “old times” atmosphere and has very simple houses painted in different colours, cobbled and unpaved streets, and squares. It’s very green.
Velha Boipeba, with Santo Antônio Square at its centre, is the most important village on the island and a meeting point for locals and foreigners alike.
When you’re at Santo Antônio Square, you can’t miss the picturesque Church of the Divine Holy Spirit.
It was constructed in the 17th century in neoclassical style and it’s the island’s main landmark.
2 – Try the local cuisine
The food in Bahia is amazing!
I’m saying that not only because it’s my home state, but because it’s very rich and has plenty of African, Portuguese and indigenous influences.
When you’re on the island you must try Moqueca, an extraordinary fish stew made with coconut and palm oil, and served with rice, pirão and farofa (both made with cassava flour), and also acarajé, a fried crispy cake made with beans and onions.
I love both and every time I’m in Bahia I eat plenty of them.
You should try also some fruits, such as cacao, umbu, cajá and açaí, as well as drinks and cocktails.
3 – Visit the Museu do Osso (Bone Museum)
Founded by a local fisherman nicknamed “Mr Cabeludo” (“Long hair”) around 45 years ago, this small museum has bones of whales and turtles, beautiful shells, teeth, tails of fishes, etc.
The museum housed in Mr Cabeludo’s house and located on Ribeirinho Street, near the main square, was recently renovated and it’s one of the most visited places on the island.
- Read next: Itacaré’s Best Hotels
4 – Admire the “Shopping Mall’s” vegetation
Located at Boca da Barra Beach, this small “shopping mall” has restaurants, travel agencies and a hotel with fine accommodations.
But for me, nothing beats the green area, especially the backyard, which is full of gorgeous trees, and many bird nests.
5 – Enjoy the Beaches
Of course, one of the best things to do in Boipeba is to enjoy its breathtaking beaches!
Whether you decide to stay on Boca da Barra, the closest beach to Velha Boipeba Village, go to Moreré, the most famous beach of Boipeba, or relax on any other beach on the island, one thing is certain, you will feel like you found a piece of paradise on Earth.
6 – Watching the sunset
There are three famous spots to watch the sunset on the island: Point do Reggae (Boca da Barra Beach), Morro do Quebra Cu (Break Ass Hill) and O Céu de Boipeba Hotel. Undoubtedly O Céu de Boipeba is the best one!
Located on the top of a hill, this hotel provides a really good view of the island and has fine amenities. The bar/restaurant is open to the public from 4:00 to 9:00 PM.
7 – Take one of the tours
A trip to Boipeba cannot be completed without taking one of these tours:
Around the island
This is the most popular tour and takes you to Moreré pools, Castelhanos Beach, a sandbank, Cova da Onça (a fisherman village) and Portal das Ostras (a bar on a boat parked in the middle of the river that serves fresh oysters).
The speedboat makes a lap around the island and sails along the ocean and river passing through beautiful mangroves.
Price: R$ 250 (US$ 51) per person
From 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Moreré Beach and Pools
This tour takes you only to Moreré pools, beach and village. Price: R$ 125 (US$ 26)
Castelhano Beach and Pools
Visiting Castelhanos pools and beach, with lunch in Moreré.
Price: R$ 200 (US$ 41)
Canoe into the mangroves
This tour also depends on the tide and takes you through mangrove canopies to watch the sunset and see the bioluminescence.
Price: R$140 (US$ 29) per person
From: 5:00 to 7:30 PM
Garapuá
This tour takes you to Garapuá Beach (considered the most beautiful in the Tinharé Archipelago) and pools.
Price: R$ 200 (US$ 41)
Portal das Ostras
Happy hour on a boat parked in the middle of the river, where you can eat fresh oysters and watch the sunset.
Price: R$ 50 (US$ 10)
From 4:00 to 8:00 PM
Tinharé Island
This tour takes you around Tinharé Island to visit Garapuá pools, Morro de São Paulo (another outstanding island close by), the third oldest Monastery in Brazil and also the second oldest church (both located on the mainland in Cairu city).
Price: R$ 300 (US$ 58).
Barra Grande
You spend the whole day in Barra Grande, which is considered one of the most beautiful islands in the Tinharé Archipelago.
Price: R$ 300 (US$ 58). It needs at least 8 people to depart.
Whale watching
Whale-watching tours are only available from July to the middle of September when you can see Humpback whales. It also takes you to Moreré pools.
Price: R$ 300 (US$ 58)
PS.: I took the tours with Cito +55 (75) 99969-5584, except the Canoe into the mangroves one that was with Neri +55 (75) 99704-3299. They are very friendly and I do recommend both of them. The prices are per person, but 3 – 6 people need to do the tour.
These are the best things to do in Boipeba and my suggestion is to spend at least 3 full days on the island.
After your visit, you will understand why it was considered the best island in Brazil.
Safe travels and have fun in Bahia.
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