10 Ilha Grande Beaches You Shouldn’t Miss (+Map)

Dreaming about taking a refreshing dip in the crystalline waters of Ilha Grande beaches and walking barefoot on powdery white sand while the warm Brazilian sun kisses your skin? I know the feeling.

Ilha Grande has some of the most beautiful beaches not only in Rio but in the whole of Brazil. They boast opulent vegetation, crystal-clear water, soft sand and luscious surroundings.

There are more than 100 beaches on the island and to visit them, you must hike or take a boat tour.

While most of the beaches on Ilha Grande are not organized and completely untouched, in others, such as Aventureiros and Praia Vermelha you’ll find some infrastructure.

During my trip to Ilha Grande, I was enchanted by its captivating scenery and delighted by the gorgeous beaches with soft sand and lush vegetation. That’s why I wrote this post about the 10 best beaches on and around Ilha Grande that you should not miss on your visit.

10 Beaches in Ilha Grande You Shouldn’t Miss

1 – Lopes Mendes

Located approximately 4.3 mi from Vila do Abraão and known as the best beach in Ilha Grande, Lopes Mendes is a 1.8 mi-long breathtaking beach boasting velvety white sand, crystal-clear blue water, and lavish vegetation.

You can get to this pristine beach from Vila do Abraão on foot, but it will take an average of 2h00, or book a tour/taxi-boat to Praia do Pouso, followed by a 25-min hike. The beach has only a few kiosks selling drinks and snacks, and renting boards, in case you want to surf.

Lopes Mendes is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil. I loved Lopes Mendes and was in awe as soon as I arrived. The sand is soft, and the water is amazing! You simply can’t miss it while on Ilha Grande.

2 – Aventureiro

Located in a sustainable reserved area in a fishing village, Aventureiro Beach is one of Ilha Grande’s most famous beaches featuring an iconic 90⁰ coconut tree.

The best way to get from Vila do Abraão to this fine-sand beach with calm water backed by boulders and forest hills, is undoubtedly by boat. You can visit Aventureiro when booking a 360 Tour of Ilha Grande.

Here you can find some restaurants and budget guesthouses if you prefer to stay in a more isolated area. Bear in mind that there might be a queue to take a picture with the star of the beach, and the coconut tree.

• Read next: The Most Beautiful Beaches in Bahia, Brazil

3 – Praia de Dois Rios

If a beach with one river is beautiful, imagine one with two.

Dois Rios, Two Rivers, is a unique Ilha Grande beach featuring two rivers, one in each corner. This 1 km-long beach also has soft with sand, and blue water and is sheltered by hills covered with dense rainforest.

To get to Dois Rios, the beach and village, from Abraão you can take a taxi boat or do an 8 km-long hike (you’ll walk around 2 hours along an old unpaved road). The reward is one of the best beaches in Ilha Grande and you can soak up the sun, climb the boulders, swim in the sea and the crystal-clear green water rivers. Not to mention unwind in this tropical paradise.

4 – Praia dos Meros

Another gorgeous crystalline green water beach dotted with coconut trees and encompassed by sumptuous vegetation to put in your Ilha Grande itinerary.

Here you can find some geological remains from a 3000-year-old civilization when they used the rocks and boulders of Praia do Meros to build axes.

• You may also like: Melhores Praias de Itacaré, Bahia

5 – Praia de Jurabaíba

Located on the south of Ilha da Gipóia, one of largest islands around Ilha Grande, Praia de Jurubaíba, aka Praia do Dentista, is an enchanting powdery white sand beach with crystal-clear water surrounded by magnificent Atlantic rainforest.

Praia do Dentista is one of my favourite beaches around Ilha Grande and I love it! Despite the number of boats and tourists, it’s so relaxing.

You can visit Praia do Dentista from Ilha Grande or Angra dos Reis either by taxi boat or by booking the Paradisiacal Islands Tour.

6 – Ilha de Cataguases

Another beach you can visit during the ‘Ilhas Paradisíacas Tour’ is Ilha de Cataguases, a tropical paradise featuring white sand and crystalline turquoise water.

Ilha de Cataguases is the perfect place to relax, swim and snorkel in its calm and shallow waters. It’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful islands around Ilha Grande and one of the highlights of this tour.

• Have you heard of Boipeba? It’s been considered the best island in Brazil

7 – Lagoa Verde

Located in a preserved area on the north coast of Ilha Grande, Lagoa Verde (Green Lagoon) is bordered by greenery hills and boasts an incredible crystalline turquoise water with rich marine life, including greenish corals, colourful fishes, sea horses, turtles, and dolphins.

With this breathtaking beauty, Lagoa Verde stands out as one of Ilha Grande’s most enchanting coastal gems.

The waters here are calm and shallow, which makes them perfect for snorkelling and swimming, so don’t forget your snorkel masks.

• Book your tour online and in advance to visit the Blue and Green Lagoons

8 – Praia da Parnaioca

One of the most isolated and beautiful beaches in Ilha Grande, Parnaioca is enveloped by dense vegetation, has golden sand, green water and a river running unpretentiously into the sea.

Praia de Parnaioca is approximately a 5-hour walk from Vila do Abraão. So, the best way to get there is by boat from Aventureiro and Provetá or take the tour ‘Volta na Ilha’ (360 Tour of Ilha Grande).

9 – Praia da Feiticeira

Enveloped by an exuberant fauna and featuring golden sands, boulders, and green waters, Praia da Feiticeira is the perfect place for a relaxing day at the beach. You can soak up the sun, swim in the crystal-clear waters, and even do a 30-minute hike to a waterfall.

If you’re looking for a more active time, Praia da Feiticeira (Witch Beach) also offers some watersports opportunities such as snorkelling, kayaking and SUP. 

There are also some kiosks selling drinks and snacks.

To get to Praia da Feiticeira from Vila do Abraão, you can take a taxi boat or hike, where you’ll have the opportunity to see the Lazareto ruins and enjoy Feiticeira Waterfall (1h30min walk).

• Check it out: Hiking Pedra da Gavea – The Hardest Hike in Rio

10 – Praia Preta

Ilha Grande beaches are full of surprises! I only found out that there’s a black sand beach on the island when a local recommended me to go there.

Praia Preta, Black Beach, is located within walking distance to Vila do Abraão, close to the ruins of Lazareto, and features soft golden and black sand, a little river and opulent vegetation.

On this family-friendly beach, you can swim in the little lagoon formed by the river, snorkel among colourful fishes, read a book underneath a tree, rest and relax listening to the birds singing.

Extra Tips When Visiting Ilha Grande Beaches

• Be careful when hiking to the beaches of Ilha Grande. You’re going through a rainforest and might encounter some animals, including snakes.
• Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, hats, towels and plenty of water. I also recommend bringing some food because you’ll only find restaurants/kiosks on some beaches.
• There isn’t cell phone coverage in some areas of Ilha Grande.
• Take some cash when heading to the beaches outside of Vila do Abrão because the credit card machines depend on the internet service.
• The tours are in general cheaper during the low season, from April to November.
• The water in winter (June to August) isn’t as warm as in the summer, but it’s still nice.
• Remember to preserve the environment, and please don’t litter.

This is my post about the best beaches in and around Ilha Grande that you shouldn’t miss.

Safe travels and have fun on Ilha Grande.

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More posts that you may like:

• Rio de Janeiro: Beyond Beaches and Carnival
• Morro Dois Irmãos Hike, Rio
• Favela Tour, Rio
• Wild Beaches Tour, Rio
• Best Things to Do in Itacaré, Bahia
• Where to Stay in Itacaré
• Best Things to Do in Morro de São Paulo

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