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Islands of Brazil: 10 most beautiful and interesting places


The jungle of the Amazon, the gold of the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, the delicate aroma of coffee, the roar of mighty waterfalls – all this, like a magnet, attracts millions of tourists from all over the world to Brazil. In addition, this country has world-famous beaches (Copacabana alone is worth it). The sea is warm and transparent, and tourists invariably talk about Brazilian cuisine, as well as about Brazilian women, with a breath. But there’s one more thing that makes the country special. We mean the Islands of Brazil which really remind a fairy tale.

Islands of Brazil: Ilha do Cardoso

The mountainous Island of Cardoso is covered with lush forests, teeming with natural bodies of water and waterfalls. This place is distinguished by the richest variety of flora and fauna. On July 3, 1962, by the decision of the government, a National Park called Estadual da Ilha do Cardoso was established on the island.

Ilha do Cardoso
Ilha do Cardoso. Photo: Yuri Cruvinel Ribeiro (CC BY-SA)
Ilha do Cardoso
Ilha do Cardoso. Photo: Rodney Domingues / flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Ilha do Cardoso
Ilha do Cardoso. Photo: manufaturadeideias / flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Ilha do Marajo

On the territory of the Brazilian state of Para, at the mouth of the Amazon, there is the largest river island in the world. The area of the Marajo island is approximately equal to that of Switzerland! However, the giant territory is not the only thing the island is famous for. Marajo is home to the world’s largest population of water buffaloes, which is twice as big as the number of people living on the island.

Ilha do Marajo
Ilha do Marajo. Photo: Celso Abreu / flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Ilha do Marajo
Ilha do Marajo. Photo: Douglastevis (CC BY-SA)
Ilha do Marajo
Ilha do Marajo. Photo: Celso Abreu / flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Islands of Brazil: Ilha do Campeche

The Island of Campeche, located on the east coast of Florianopolis, attracts tourists with stunning white sand beaches and clear waters that are great for snorkeling. Visitors are given only 4 hours for a walk around the small island, and in winter Campeche is completely closed for visits.

Ilha do Campeche
Ilha do Campeche. Photo: Núbia de Rodrigues Araújo (CC BY-SA)
Ilha do Campeche
Ilha do Campeche. Photo: Rodrigo Soldon / flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Ilha do Campeche
Ilha do Campeche. Photo: Rodrigo Soldon / flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Ilha de Itamaraca

This charming island located just off the coast of the state of Pernambuco. Itamaraca boasts a large number of beautiful beaches, as well as historical sites, including Fort Orange. built by the Dutch in 1631. Also there’s the oldest church in Brasil: it was built in 1515.

Ilha de Itamaraca
Ilha de Itamaraca. Photo: Hans von Manteuffel (CC BY-SA)
Ilha de Itamaraca
Ilha de Itamaraca. Photo: Itamaraca (CC BY-SA)
Ilha de Itamaraca
Ilha de Itamaraca. Photo: LeRoc (CC BY-SA)

Islands of Brazil: Ilha do Mel

No roads, no cars, and often no electricity. This remote island is devoid of the benefits of civilization, but this is precisely why it is attractive. The sea, sun, dense jungle and sandy wild beaches reign here. On the island, it is pleasant to wander along the soft white sands of an extended beach, walk in the shade of the virgin jungle and enjoy the roiling ocean. The most popular natural attraction of the island is the cave with the romantic name “Enchanted Grotto” (Gruta das Encantadas).

Ilha do Mel on map

Ilha do Mel
Ilha do Mel. Photo: Cyrus Augustus Moro Daldin, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ilha do Mel
Ilha do Mel. Photo: Cyrus Augustus Moro Daldin, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ilha do Mel
Ilha do Mel. Photo: Cyrus Augustus Moro Daldin, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Ilhabela

The largest island off the coast of Brazil, Ilhabela (The Beautiful Island) offers visitors about 40 kilometers of unspoiled beaches and tropical island-worthy hiking trails, waterfalls and even a place for hangouts and parties. Located just 207 kilometers from the city of São Paulo, Ilhabela can be too crowded, so try to sunbathe on the beach on weekdays.

Ilhabela
Ilhabela. Photo: Roberto Pavezi Netto (CC BY-SA)
Ilhabela
Ilhabela. Photo: pxfuel (CC0 1.0)
Ilhabela
Ilhabela. Photo: enioprado (CC BY-SA)

Islands of Brazil: Ilha de Santa Catarina

The magnificent scenery of the island’s coastline, huge waves, deserted beaches, picturesque fishing villages, large developed tourist resorts and entertainment centers of the northern part of the island make the Island of Santa Catarina one of the favorite beach tourism destinations in Brazil.

Ilha de Santa Catarina
Ilha de Santa Catarina. Photo: User:Herbert Vieira (CC BY-SA)
Ilha de Santa Catarina
Ilha de Santa Catarina. Photo: Rodrigo Soldon (CC BY)
Ilha de Santa Catarina
Ilha de Santa Catarina. Photo: Regina Mendonca / flickr (Public domain)

Ilha de Tinhare

This beautiful island is probably best known for the tiny village of Morro de São Paulo, which has no streets and no cars. It boasts only stunning velvet beaches, the names of which are easy to remember: First, Second, Third and Fourth. The most popular among tourists is the Second Beach, which has numerous bars and restaurants.

Ilha de Tinhare
Ilha de Tinhare. Photo: Eduardo P (CC BY-SA)
Ilha de Tinhare
Ilha de Tinhare. Photo: LíviaBuhring and edited by Rodrigo.Argenton (CC BY-SA)
Ilha de Tinhare
Ilha de Tinhare. Photo: Hudson C. S. de Souza ([email protected]) (CC BY-SA)

Islands of Brazil: Ilha Grande

An island in the Atlantic Ocean in the southeast of the country is located relatively close to Rio de Janeiro. The history of settlements on it dates back to the beginning of the 16th century, after the discovery of the “Big Island” (Ilha Grande) by Portuguese sailors. Due to its geographical location, it was of interest to the corsairs of different countries, who were constantly fighting for the right to base in this territory.

Ilha Grande
Ilha Grande. Photo: Fabio Takashi (CC BY 2.0 BR)
Ilha Grande
Ilha Grande. Photo: Valdiney Pimenta / flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Ilha Grande
Ilha Grande. Photo: wgabriel / pixabay (Pixabay License)

Islands of Brazil: Fernando de Noronha (Fernando de Noronha)

The small archipelago Fernando de Noronha consists of a large island of the same name and many tiny land areas around it. First of all, it is known as one of the best diving spots in the world. Beach holidays are popular here as well. Besides, the island attracts fans of ecological tourism and those who prefer to merge with nature and avoid crowds of tourists.

Fernando de Noronha on map

Fernando de Noronha
Fernando de Noronha. Photo: Canindé Soares (CC BY-SA)
Fernando de Noronha
Fernando de Noronha. Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen (CC BY-SA)
Fernando de Noronha
Fernando de Noronha. Photo: CCINTRA (CC BY-SA)