One
of the most famous landscapes of Bahia, Morro de São
Paulo attracts people from all over the world for
its charming beauty, located on North Cape of Tinharé
Island, in the Camamu Bay. It takes about 2 hours
by boat to go from the capital Salvador da Bahia.
Crystal water beaches and natural pools transform
this place in a fantastic tour option. For those who
enjoy diving/snokeling, the place is gorgeous: the
coral reefs in Garapuá are great options and
in the Camamu bay ends the river Tinhare where it
is also possible to visualize dolphins from Morro
de Sao Paulo. The most characteristic silhouette is
the island’s lighthouse; from one have a panoramic
view of all the beaches and of each corner of the
island. The beaches are named by ordinal number, with
start from the lighthouse, the “primeira praia”
(first beach), “segunda praia” (second
beach), etc.
The island has good night life (especially during
high season) and most bars & restaurants are
located in the village’s downtown and at the
first & second beach. Hotels are spread out
at all five beaches but staying at the forth &
fifth beach takes more time to go to the nightlife
in downtown, but on the other hand, those that prefer
a tranquil stay may stay at the more remote beaches.
It is not only party life at this island, but also
good snorkeling. Further you may experience trekking
and explore the island, walking by the ruins of
a fortification, built in 1630. You can also explore
the island by horseback riding (as there are no
cars), or by tractor cart which work as “public
bus service”. There are also daily tours by
boat for fishing or scuba diving. The day can end
romantic, watching dolphins in the sunset from the
ruins of the fortification and then a dinner in
a cozy restaurant.
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beaches divide the island into a kind of neighborhoods.
In the Village Center, named “Gamboa”
on the map above, there are several options of inns,
bars, restaurants, shops and native people living as
well. The First Beach is where the
first “summer houses” were built, but many
of them are today transformed to inns. The
Second Beach is perhaps the most
famous beach on 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,
footvolley, soccer and frescobol.
Rounding the corner of the small Island of Saudade,
you arrive at Third Beach. This beach
also offers several accommodation options: tents,
inns, restaurants and campsites. Actually, 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 kayak.
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.
Walking a little further, after crossing a mangrove
swamp and a small river, is the Fifth Beach
or Beach of Enchantment (Encanto). 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 Tinharé
from the island of Boipeba.
Before arriving to Boipeba, there is the small village
of Garapuá, a fishing town
with a marvelous inlet. Along the way to the small
neighboring island of Boipeba, you’ll
come across the little fishing village with a marvelous
inlet of calm, crystalline waters. There are a few
simple pousadas here, but nothing like the tourist
scene of Morro.
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.
NOTE: Staying at the Fourth or Fifth
beach is significantly far from the island’s
village and the movement on the second beach and you
need to use “transfers”. If you want to
enjoy the night, we suggest you to stay in the village
center or at the second beach. If the nightlife is
not important, you may stay at a guest house at the
forth or fifth beaches.
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