Frades Island & Itaparica tour from Salvador: Blue Flag beaches

Two islands in one day: Blue Flag waters and colonial streets

A full-day tour from Salvador combines Frades Island (the first in Northeast Brazil to earn the international Blue Flag for environmental quality) with Itaparica, the largest island in All Saints Bay. The itinerary includes a guide in Portuguese, round-trip hotel pickup, and a comfortable boat with bar service. You spend free time swimming and exploring each island, then lunch at a typical local restaurant in Itaparica. A preservation fee for Frades and a boarding fee at the terminal are paid on site.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tour Frades and Itaparica Islands

• Depart from Salvador hotels
• Cruise through Bay of All Saints
• Arrive at Frades Island
• Relax and explore Frades Island
• Pay preservation fee for Frades Island
• Enjoy spa and bar on board
• Depart to Itaparica Island
• Explore Itaparica's cultural heritage
• Relax and dine at local restaurant
• Return to Salvador

The experience

The tour departs from Salvador hotels and heads to the Port of the City, where you board a boat with bar service and sound system for the cruise through All Saints Bay. The first stop is Frades Island at Ponta de Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, where you have free time to swim in the clear water and walk the preserved beaches that earned the Blue Flag designation. The island's environmental protection is reflected in a preservation fee collected on arrival.

After Frades, the boat continues to Itaparica, the largest island in the bay. Here the focus shifts to colonial architecture and local culture: you'll see the parallelepiped streets and historic buildings that define the island's character, then settle into a typical regional restaurant where you can taste local dishes and relax in hammocks while taking in the water views. The return journey follows the same route back to Salvador, arriving at your hotel after a full morning and afternoon at sea.

The tour runs ten hours total. You can add optional activities once you arrive on each island, tailoring the experience to what interests you most. The guide speaks Portuguese throughout, and the boat's bar means you can order drinks during the cruise, though meals beyond the restaurant stop in Itaparica are on your own.

What’s included

• Round-trip transfer from your Salvador hotel.
• guide in Portuguese throughout the day.
• boat passage through All Saints Bay with bar service.
• free time to swim and explore Frades Island.
• lunch at a typical Itaparica restaurant.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 60

Live guidePortuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 8.31

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Luck Receptivo Salvador

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup from Salvador means you don't arrange your own transport to the port, and the fixed itinerary (Frades in the morning, Itaparica after) fits both islands into a single day without backtracking.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Blue Flag seal on Frades Island?

Frades Island holds the international Blue Flag designation, a certification awarded to beaches and marinas that meet strict environmental quality standards. It was the first island in Northeast Brazil to receive this seal, marking it as a protected natural area.

Do I need to pay anything beyond the tour price?

Yes. A preservation fee of R$25 is collected when you arrive at Frades Island, and a boarding fee of R$16 is charged at the Terminal Náutico de Salvador. Meals beyond the lunch stop in Itaparica, and any optional activities available on site, are separate.

What happens in Itaparica after we arrive?

Itaparica is the largest island in All Saints Bay, known for its colonial buildings and historic streets. You'll have time to explore the architecture and culture, then eat at a typical regional restaurant where you can relax in hammocks and enjoy local cuisine while overlooking the water.

Is the boat comfortable for a long day at sea?

The boat is equipped with a bar and sound system, designed for leisure cruising through the bay. You'll have moments of rest and tranquility on board, though the full tour spans ten hours from hotel pickup to return.

Can I swim at both islands?

Frades Island is built around free time for swimming and exploring the beaches. Itaparica's schedule centers on the colonial sites and the restaurant experience, so swimming is not the main focus there, though the setting is on the water.