5 spectacular Brazilian islands

Brazil’s natural beauty needs little introduction, but its islands are a little less familiar. No less beautiful, expect remote archipelagoes, archaeological wonders and swathes of land untouched by the modern world when you visit any one of these Brazilian isles.

Fernando de Noronha

A few hundred kilometres off Brazil’s northeastern coast, you’ll find the volcanic archipelago of Fernando de Noronha. A tiny dot on the Atlantic’s blue canvas, it’s one of Brazil’s most remote collections of islands, and its otherworldly scenery showcases the country’s natural beauty at its best. Verdant grassy cliffs rise from the turquoise waters, while jagged rocky buttes circle the shoreline in a constellation of earth and sea. Beneath the clear waters, you’ll enter into a tropical underwater universe; shoals of gold-fringed fish loop past gnarled coral reefs while sea turtles lazily drift by, and the world’s highest known concentration of resident dolphins make themselves at home. When you eventually come up for air, the islands’ pristine beaches will be waiting for you to spread out on – recognised as some of Brazil’s best. It’s an experience anchored in quiet, serene isolation and a stay at panoramic Pousada Maria Bonita Noronha will help keep this going.

Ilha do Mel

Stitched into the water in the shape of an hourglass, Ilha do Mel or ‘honey island’ is a golden surfing paradise. Reached only by boat and with no cars present, wander its looping sandy pathways, as keen surfers on bicycles meander past towards the island’s shores. Once you reach the water, you’ll be greeted with wide open beaches dotted with the same animated surfers riding gentle waves that cup and crawl over the sands. There’s more to see and do beyond combing the beach however; visit Grutas das Encantadas, the small caves at the island’s southernmost point which legend suggests are inhabited by mermaids who have the power to enchant and ensnare all those who come into their midst. You can enter these mythical caves but if the prospect of sea sirens seems too daunting, clamber up to the Lighthouse of the Shells and bask in the gorgeous vistas and maritime feel of it all. Pousada Astral da Ilha is a short walk away.

Ilha do Campeche

A stone’s throw from chic Florianópolis and bohemian Campeche is Ilha do Campeche. While many islands can claim white sands of their own, on Ilha do Campeche the sands here redefine any notion of that, with a incredibly fine, snowy sheen to them. Playing off against the shaded turquoise waters, there’s a delicacy and magic to this island picture. Most of the island is covered in Atlantic forest, populated with the crimson and coffee-coloured Brazilian tanager birds that flit through the dense canopies, however there’s even more hiding beneath the treetops. Over 20 archaeological sites were found here, home to various paintings that include inscriptions of geometric designs and animal drawings. Explore the many forested lanes and you’ll stumble upon these sites, and one trail in particular will lead you to the unusual vertical rock formation that is Pedra Fincada. Head back to the shore and take a boat to Campeche Beach and poolside Pousada Ilha Faceira.

Ilhabela

Dubbed the ‘beautiful island’, Ilhabela can thank its dramatic tropical scenery for its name. A 15-minute ferry ride from São Sebastião, landing in Ilhabela can be a bit like finding your own Treasure Island; once a famed stop for pirates, its clear waters are dotted with shipwrecks, while on land, dense virgin Atlantic rainforest ropes around and across the island with over 300 cascading waterfalls hidden beneath its broad canopies. Home to a thriving wildlife population, brightly-coloured toucans and pionus parrots swoop through the Atlantic trees and curling mangroves, while capuchin monkeys and Brazilian squirrels dart stealthily among the branches. Hiking is the best way to explore the island, and there are numerous trails that snake through the forest and make steep ascents to the area’s mountainous mainland. Take the time to enjoy the island’s gorgeous curls of sand too – beachfront Pousada Vila das Velas will keep you in perfect proximity to do so.

Ilha Grande

Around 160 kilometres off the coast of Rio de Janeiro is the quintessentially tropical island Ilha Grande, with a less quintessential history. Once a pirate hideout then a leper colony, it was also home to a prison containing some of Brazil’s worst criminals. Shut down in the mid 1990s, it was then that the island’s natural beauty was allowed to take centre stage. Visit now and you’ll be swept up in its elemental draw; shallow coves and rocky outcrops dot the mostly empty shoreline, largely kept free from roads and settlements, while untamed Atlantic rainforest backs the few homes that crest the water. Take a boat out and find a private cove of your own for a swim or visit the now abandoned prison. When the day draws to a close, opt for a candlelit dinner on the beach at Lua e Mar and tuck into a seafood stew, while you watch crabs scurry past. Leafy Pousada Manaca is right next door when it’s time for bed.