MORRO DE SÃO PAULO
Beaches

FIRST BEACH

The first summer houses were built on this beach. Today most of them have became inns, although some traditional vacationers still keep their houses for seasonal use during vacations and holidays.

At the height of the summer, you'll find innumerable boats anchored off this beach because of the increasing number of "locals". Having the best waves in winter, it is also preferred by surfers.

Almost all the tents on this beach belong to local families. Here, you can taste typical tidbits as sarapatel, sururu broth, mocot?, fatada, but be careful, if you're not Bahian, make sure you get some boldo tea or goiaba sprout before the experience!

SECOND BEACH

This is perhaps the most famous beach of the island. Anyone who visits the island ends up enjoying the night life here at least once. Well known especially among young people, parties go on invariably until the sun rises. It is undoubtedly the most festive beach, where everybody goes to see and to be seen.

Partying aside, the greatest number of tents are concentrated on Second Beach and it also forms the stage for "rodas de capoeira" at the end of the day. You'll also discover volleyball, futvolley, soccer and frescobol.

The staircase that leads to Second beach deserves a look. From the lookout it is possible to take in the vastness of blue waters that surround the island, and the sandy bottom during low tide.

THIRD BEACH

Rounding the corner of Ilha da Saudade, you arrive at Third Beach. This beach also offers several accomodation options: tents, inns, restaurants and campsites.

All of the beaches are great for diving, but this one is special due to Caitá Island, formed by a large barrier of coral reefs. The underwater view offers coral and fish of all colors and shapes. It's possible to rent all necessary equipment, from a mask and snorkel to a full set of diving equipment. Group boat trips can be arranged as well. An interesting option is to paddle your way to the island by cayak.

FOURTH BEACH

At first sight, Fourth Beach appears to have no end. A great barrier of coral forms innumerable natural swimming pools along this beach. With only a diving mask, you will feel part of this paradise. An infinity of colorful fish don't mind sharing their habitat with visitors.

Fourth Beach is much quieter than her sisters, you can't hear the commotion from the other beaches, only the breeze and the soft sound of the sea. It's a perfect place to rest, read or to take a nap beneath the shade if you resist the temptation to keep walking, as far as the eye can see.

Following Fourth Beach, the first entrance goes to Zimbo, a small village. Entering Zimbo, there are several trails that lead to the village of Gamboa, or to the mount [hill] of Mangaba.

ENCANTO BEACH

Walking a little further, after crossing a mangrove swamp and a small river, is the Fifth Beach or Beach of Enchantment. Until recently, it was still considered part of Fourth beach, as well as all of the extension of beach to the source of the river that separates the island of Tinhar? from the island of Boipeba. Before arriving to Boipeba, there is the small village of Garapu?, a fishing town with a marvelous inlet.

GARAPUÁ

Along the way to the small neighboring island of Boipeba, you’ll come across the little fishing village with a marvilous inlet of calm, crystalline waters. There are a few simple pousadas here, but nothing like the tourist scene of Morro.

BOIPEBA

The small island of Tinharé is separated by Rio do Inferno (Hell River). From Morro de Sao Paulo, tractors (yes, tractors used in plowing fields) and small watercraft leave daily to bring travelers to this island. Visit www.ilhaboipeba.org.br.

PONTA DA PEDRA ("Tip of the Rock")

This beach provides access to the town of Gamboa. It is almost a 30 minute walk from the dock of Morro de Sao Paulo to the dock of Gamboa.

This area is called Tip of the Rock or beach of Gamboa by its inhabitants. The beaches are surrounded by rocks and transparent calm waters. Tip of the Rock is still considered "unspoiled", as you will not find any tents or party-goers here, only the local yacht club, where sailboats are anchored.

A little ahead there is a clay erosion area - it is said that taking a "mud bath" in this clay is good for the skin. It is worth the visit, so don't miss it.

GAMBOA BEACH

After a 20 minute walk along the beach of the Tip of the Rock, there is the town of the Gamboa. Gamboa, until recent years seemed to be kilometers away from Morro de Sao Paulo, for there was no sign of the tourism development that was bustling in Morro de Sao Paulo. It has continued being a peaceful fishing village, without the "international" atmosphere of the neighboring town. Perhaps this is the reason why some inhabitants have moved here and built houses and inns. However, although the infrastructure has developed somewhat, with good "pousadas" (inns) and restaurants and regional cuisine, the peaceful atmosphere of this fishing town is still preserved.

Many tourists who prefer the calmness choose to stay in gamboa and stroll to Morro when they want a little agitation or to people-watch along main street and then return to the quiet native town.

In Gamboa, the waters are calm and crystalline and the beach serene, with fewpeople moving about. The majority of the island locals live in Gamboa, which provides the tourist a glimpse of true native island life and culture.

FORT BEACH

The Fortress Beach that appears only during low tide, reveals a strip of sand next to the natural swimming pools that are ideal for diving or snorkeling. Access, as one might guess, is located at the end of the Fortress ruins.