A car-free Atlantic Rainforest island ringed by more than 100 beaches, Ilha Grande hides powdery coves, snorkel-worthy blue lagoons, and a dark prison past all within a short tender ride of Vila do Abraão.
Ships anchor in the bay off Vila do Abraão and tender passengers directly to the village pier — you step off and you're already in town.
💡 Pro move: No international ATMs on the island. Bring BRL cash for vendors, boat taxis, and small restaurants. Credit cards work at larger spots but connectivity is patchy.
All cruise ships anchor offshore and tender passengers to Vila do Abraão pier.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| MSC Cruises, Costa, Norwegian, Oceania, Holland America | Anchorage off Vila do Abraão📍 | Tendered |
| Expedition & smaller vessels | Anchorage off Vila do Abraão📍 | Tendered |
From a beach-hopping boat tour to a world-class white-sand hike, Ilha Grande rewards every energy level.
Speedboat tours depart the pier and zip around the island's northwest tip to two dazzling natural pools — Lagoa Azul (crystal-clear, turquoise) and Lagoa Verde (greenish, calm). Snorkel gear included and the fish are plentiful.
Find boat tour tickets →One of Brazil's most beautiful beaches: 3 km of wild, powdery white sand with rolling surf. Take a boat taxi to Praia do Pouso, then hike 20-30 minutes through rainforest. No facilities — bring water.
Find Lopes Mendes tours →Follow the easy T01 trail past Praia Preta to the 19th-century quarantine hospital ruins and the 1893 stone aqueduct. The Poção natural pool — a freshwater cascade perfect for a rinse — is just beyond.
Find guided history walks →A 15-minute flat walk west of the pier leads to Praia Preta's dark mineral sands, calm shallow water, and a freshwater stream. Ideal for families — quiet, easy, and genuinely beautiful.
Explore Praia Preta →Vila do Abraão's sand-floored restaurants serve moqueca (coconut-milk seafood stew) and peixe com banana (fish with sautéed banana) — the Costa Verde specialty. Caipirinhas with maracujá are mandatory.
Find food tours →The entire village is walkable in minutes; three well-marked trails fan out from the pier to beaches, ruins, and rainforest.
Walk west along the waterfront from the pier, passing through Vila do Abraão and continuing to the striking black-sand beach. Continue on the T01 trail to the 19th-century Lazareto quarantine ruins and the stone aqueduct. The Poção freshwater pool is a short detour beyond.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →From the pier, head east through the village square (Igreja de São Sebastião) and follow the coastal T02 trail to the secluded Praia do Abraãozinho cove. There's a rustic beach bar and calm clear water. The walk has some ups and downs but nothing strenuous.
Climate normals for Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 84°F / 29°C | 76°F / 24°C | 17 | 5:24 AM | 6:48 PM |
| Feb | 83°F / 28°C | 76°F / 24°C | 16 | 5:45 AM | 6:36 PM |
| Mar | 82°F / 28°C | 75°F / 24°C | 18 | 5:58 AM | 6:13 PM |
| Apr | 79°F / 26°C | 72°F / 22°C | 16 | 6:10 AM | 5:43 PM |
| May | 76°F / 24°C | 68°F / 20°C | 13 | 6:23 AM | 5:23 PM |
| Jun | 75°F / 24°C | 67°F / 19°C | 11 | 6:35 AM | 5:19 PM |
| Jul | 74°F / 23°C | 65°F / 18°C | 7 | 6:37 AM | 5:28 PM |
| Aug | 74°F / 23°C | 66°F / 19°C | 11 | 6:22 AM | 5:40 PM |
| Sep | 77°F / 25°C | 68°F / 20°C | 11 | 5:54 AM | 5:50 PM |
| Oct | 77°F / 25°C | 70°F / 21°C | 17 | 5:24 AM | 6:01 PM |
| Nov | 78°F / 26°C | 71°F / 22°C | 18 | 5:05 AM | 6:18 PM |
| Dec | 81°F / 27°C | 73°F / 23°C | 18 | 5:05 AM | 6:38 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.