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Ilha de Porto Belo

A small private-managed island 500 m offshore with three clear-water swimming beaches and a snorkel trail.

Where
Porto Belo
Time needed
Half day
Tickets
R$100
Clear water and green island of Ilha de Porto Belo Clear water and green island of Ilha de Porto Belo

What to expect at Ilha de Porto Belo

Ilha de Porto Belo is a small forested island half a kilometre off the mainland town of Porto Belo, run since the 1990s as a low-key private-managed nature area with a strict daily visitor cap of 400. It has three swimming beaches, an underwater snorkel trail marked with buoys, an easy 40-minute trail across the island's hilltop, and a small restaurant. It matters as a genuinely impact-managed alternative to the more famous Ilha do Campeche — same clear-water experience, half the crowd, tighter environmental rules.

You buy a combined ticket at the Porto Belo pier that covers the ten-minute boat crossing and the island access fee. On landing you get a briefing on the paths (no straying off marked trails, no bringing food ashore, life jackets required in the snorkel zone), then have four to six hours on the island. The snorkel trail off Praia do Meio takes you past 22 species of tropical fish; the trail to the top of Morro do Cruzeiro takes 20 minutes and gives a full view of the peninsula and Bombinhas beyond. Lunch at the island restaurant is a fixed menu of grilled fish, rice and salad for R$70.

Best on weekdays from October through April; May-September the boat only runs weekends and the water is cold. Book by 10:00 at the pier or online through Turismo Ilha de Porto Belo — high-season Saturdays fill by 09:30. Bring reef shoes (the beach access has some rock), a rash guard against the sun, and cash for the restaurant. Combine with an afternoon in Porto Belo town or drive on to Bombinhas for the evening.

Plan your visit TicketsR$100 Time neededHalf day WherePorto Belo Opening hours Daily 9:00-17:00 Oct-Apr Weekends only May-Sep Last boat back 16:30 Hotels near Ilha de Porto Belo

Questions about Ilha de Porto Belo

How much is Ilha de Porto Belo?

R$100 combined ticket (boat + island fee); snorkel gear R$30 extra.

Is there any free entry?

No. The island is under managed access with a paid ticket.

How long to plan?

Half a day — arrive at 09:00, leave on 15:00 or 16:30 boat.

Any closed days?

Weekdays are closed May through September; closes on days of strong south wind.

Do I need to book?

Yes in Dec-Feb; walk-up is possible other months.

How do I get there?

Drive or bus to Porto Belo town, pier at Rua Manoel dos Santos da Silva; boat 10 min crossing.

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