Ilhabela's Outer Beaches

The outer beaches are the most dramatic and pristine, since they are difficult to reach. The main way to get to these beaches is to circumnavigate the island by boat. Starting at the top of the island, the most interesting beaches are Jabaquara, which is a favorite location for diving and underwater fishing (with harpoon). The beach itself is long and beautiful and there is a river that empties into the ocean here, forming a small fresh-water lake. There are a couple of beach bars that serve lunch and drinks. You can access this beach by car along the dirt road that continues after the main coastal road ends or take a boat with or without the snorkeling option. Praia da Fome is one of the prettiest beaches on the island and is accessible only by boat. There is a waterfall here and the river feeds into the ocean. The nearby Praia do Poço is also accessible only by boat and is a great place for diving activities. The inhabited beach on the outer coastline is Praia Baía de Castelhanos, which is where the road from Barra ends. It’s one of the largest beaches on the island with about one kilometer of white sand. This beach is popular with surfers as the waves here are strong. From here you can hike to the Gato Waterfall. Finally, the Saco do Sombrio is a great place to sit and watch the boats come in and out of the harbor. The clear water here also makes it popular among divers.