When for the day on a tour of two Islands this was the first. I was great clean beautiful calm water and I think is part of a park. We stayed on the beach at our umbrella with seats order some beer and fried fish. Was very relaxing went for a couple of swims just had two hour there. I think there are hotel here not sure if only able to get there by boat. The water clear and blue green warm but this is where the tourist boats come so some diesel smell from the boats engines. There were three group boats all arrived close to same time. I think if you were to stay here would be mostly quite do recommend you visit at least while you are in Salvador.
Excellent day trip to Friars and Itaparica. Leaves Salvador port at 9am and returns at 17:30. On time too!Travelling time is about 90 minutes to Friars where you dock at a small beach and have to go ashore by small boat. The beach is samll and sandy and there is a bar and several vendors coming round selling the usual souvenirs. On the boat therewas a band playing brazilian music and a cameraman taking film, all so you can pay more at the end! We were on the island for just over an hour but the loading and unloading via small boat wasted a lot of time. We then went to Itaparica and landed at a beach where we were able to buy lunch (R$30 a head) and a bus ride was offered to visit the island (R$15 and definitely not worth it). We bought ice creams from a Kibon man and were ripped off to the tune of R$10 each ice cream with the excuse that he had to go to the mainland to get them. After the bus trip we were hurried back onto the boat and geot back to Salvador at 17:30 as scheduled. Very worthwhile trip if you don't mind choppy seas. Just beware that you will be asked for a tip at every possible opportunity.
Small population but no ability to get on shore without jumping into the water. Not comercial y explotes yet
Near Salvador the Ilha dos Frades is a great escape, with clear water and beautiful beaches. If you can reach it with a private boat it will be better. You will visit the Viração beach.
The Frades isle can be reached by boat leaving from Salvador. The isle has a pleasent beach where you can swim in calm waters. It is a nice boat trip, but nothing too much special.
This beach can be reached in about 1.5 hours from Salvador and has gentle waves (compared to Atlantic beaches in Salvador), soft sand for playing beach football and services if desired (food, drinks, umbrellas, chairs).
I expected a lot but that was a sorry experience. I drove to the city Madre de Deus which is an hour drive through bad and ugly neighborhood. The city itself is horrible and hard to park the car. We got there late and the only beach on the island we could go to was Paramana which is ugly with a few awful bars. We stayed there for only an hour and took the boat back. The best thing to do is to take the boat in Salvador early in the morning so you could visit the beautiful part of the island. Don't do like I did! Terrible!
It is a place to stay in peace with nature and yourself!! Go with time to enjoy, the view, the warm wather and go up to the steps in the small church Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe. There is the most beautiful view!
You will need to take a boat to visit this island but it is not a expensive program and it really worth it! The beach is very calm and warming.
The Frades isle can be reached by boat leaving from Salvador. The isle has a pleasent beach where you can swim in calm waters. It is a nice boat trip, but nothing too much special.