Ilhabela Tour: Beaches, Waterfalls & Boat Ride

Boat to a top-ten Brazilian beach, then drive 22 km through Atlantic Forest on the way back.

A 3-day private tour from São Paulo to Ilhabela combines beach hopping by boat, a 4x4 jungle crossing, waterfall hikes and overnight stays at a centrally-located 3-star hotel. Day one brings you to the island and its nightlife; day two is a boat cruise to Castelhanos Beach, ranked among Brazil's ten most beautiful, with stops for swimming, then a 22 km off-road return through preserved forest; day three ends at Paquetá waterfall, where a 20- to 30-minute trail leads to diving pools and a stream that serves as a natural slide overlooking the sea.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Ilhabela and explore beaches

• Pickup from São Paulo
• Drive to Ilhabela with photo stops
• Check in accommodation
• Lunch and beach exploration
• Evening drinks and nightlife visit

Day 2: Boat tour and 4x4 beach adventure

• Breakfast at hotel
• Boat tour to Saco do Eustáquio and Fome Beach
• Arrive at Castelhanos Beach
• Enjoy beach, food, and caipirinhas
• 4x4 ride through Atlantic Forest
• Return to hotel

Day 3: Waterfall hike and return to São Paulo

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to Paquetá waterfall trailhead
• Hike trail with water stops and infinity pool
• Optional hike to viewpoint
• Lunch with typical Brazilian cuisine
• Travel back to São Paulo

The experience

The journey starts with a 4-hour drive north from São Paulo through a mountain range that descends toward the coast, with stops along the way to photograph the valleys. Once you arrive in Ilhabela, the afternoon is yours to explore one of the island's 40-plus beaches before the evening takes you downtown to bars, restaurants and live shows that define the island's nightlife.

Day two is built around Castelhanos Beach, a secluded cove on the island's far side that requires a boat to reach. The cruise stops at two other beaches first (Saco do Eustáquio and Fome Beach), where you can snorkel or float in clear water. At Castelhanos itself, several waterfalls converge to form a freshwater lake in the sand before flowing into the sea. Lunch there is fresh seafood and typical Brazilian dishes. The return crosses 22 kilometers of Atlantic Forest in a 4x4 vehicle, passing through rare natural landscape and another waterfall where you can swim before heading back to town.

The final morning is a 25-minute transfer to Paquetá waterfall, one of Ilhabela's most famous. The trail has three stages: the first two offer crystal-clear pools for diving, and the third is a stream that works as a natural slide feeding into an infinity pool with views out to sea. The walk is light at the start, 20 to 30 minutes, but steepens and gets slippery toward the end. After lunch with typical Brazilian cuisine, you return to São Paulo in the afternoon, arriving by mid-day.

What’s included

Expert guide, all transport by fully-equipped vehicle, accommodation at a 3-star hotel with air conditioning, boat tour to Castelhanos Beach, 4x4 jungle drive, entry to all attractions and tours described in the itinerary, travel insurance, all tolls and ferry fees, and pickup and drop-off from any address in São Paulo.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Gregtur Turismo

Is this one for you?Book this 3-day tour if you want to see beaches, waterfalls, and forests across the island without switching between separate day trips. Everything moves as one continuous itinerary with a guide handling transport between each location.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

What is Castelhanos Beach like, and why is it worth the boat ride?

Castelhanos Beach ranks among Brazil's ten most beautiful beaches and sits on the island's far side, accessible only by water. The cove is ringed by waterfalls that form a freshwater lake in the white sand, and the water is clear enough for snorkeling and free diving. Lunch is served there with fresh seafood and local cuisine.

How does the 4x4 drive work on day two?

After spending the day at Castelhanos Beach, a 4x4 vehicle crosses 22 kilometers through the Atlantic Forest back to the urban area, revealing rare natural landscape and stopping at another waterfall for a swim before returning to town.

What is the Paquetá waterfall trail actually like?

Paquetá is a 20- to 30-minute walk that starts light but becomes steep and slippery toward the end. The trail has three stops: the first two are crystal-clear pools for diving, and the third is a stream that flows like a natural toboggan into an infinity pool overlooking the sea. Reaching the top offers one of Ilhabela's most famous views.

How far is Ilhabela from São Paulo, and how long is the drive?

Ilhabela is in the north of São Paulo state, about 4 hours away by car. The route descends through a mountain range along the south and southeast coast, with photo stops along the way to see the valleys and hills.

Where do you stay, and what is included in the accommodation?

You stay at a centrally-located 3-star hotel or inn with air conditioning. The accommodation is included in the tour price, as is pickup and drop-off from any address in São Paulo: your hotel, airport or port.