Many places have captivated me during my travels, but if there’s one place that holds my heart, it’s Boipeba Island! The paradise-like beaches with white sand and crystal-clear water were the first destination I visited with my partner, and this trip left a lasting mark on us.
Want to know all the details of this paradise? Follow along in this article to discover how to get there, where to stay, and what to do on Boipeba Island!
Note: The currency exchange rates used in this article are based on the rates from October 23rd, with 1 USD = 5.71 BRL and 1 EUR = 6.14 BRL. Please be aware that these rates are for reference only, and updated values should be checked closer to your travel dates.
Where is Boipeba Island, and when is the best time to visit?
Boipeba is located in the municipality of Cairu, on Bahia’s southern coast. The Island of Boipeba is adjacent to Tinharé Island, home to the famous beaches of Morro de São Paulo. This destination is also relatively close to Barra Grande, another must-see beach in Bahia.
The rainy season in Bahia typically runs from March to August. There are still beautiful sunny days, but since getting to Boipeba is quite a journey, it’s best to visit during the drier season.
The peak season starts in December and lasts until Carnival. If, like me, you prefer a quieter atmosphere, the ideal time to visit is between September and November.
How to Get to Boipeba Island?
Because of its remote location, reaching Boipeba isn’t straightforward, but every minute of the journey is worth it! You can either take a semi-terrestrial or a maritime route, but note that there’s no direct route from Salvador to Boipeba.
Semi-Terrestrial Route
This is the most common way to reach Boipeba, offering more route options. First, take the ferry boat from São Joaquim Terminal in Salvador to Itaparica Island.
The ferry ticket costs R$ 6,60 (US$ 1,15/ € 1,07) on weekdays and R$ 8,80 (US$ 1,54/ € 1,43) on weekends and holidays. If you’re traveling by car, it costs R$ 59,80 (US$ 10,47/ € 9,74) during the week and R$ 84,70 (US$ 14,83/ € 13,79) on weekends and holidays. You can book and purchase tickets directly on their website.
Once you arrive at Bom Despacho terminal on the other side, you can catch a bus to Graciosa or Valença, where speedboats depart directly for Boipeba. Here are some important tips for this route:
- The ferry boat in Salvador can get extremely crowded on holidays and weekends, so be sure to buy your ticket in advance, or prepare for long lines.
- Check ferry prices on the terminal’s website and plan accordingly, as you might not board at your desired time.
- Bus tickets from Bom Despacho to Valença can be bought ahead of time. Speedboats generally depart every two hours, but departures can be delayed due to unfavorable tides.
The bus from Bom Despacho to Valença cost is around R$ 40 (US$ 7,00 / €6,51), and the trip takes about two hours, and the speedboat to Boipeba is R$ 50.00 (US$ 8,71 / €8,15),. Round trip costs around R$ 170,00 (US$ 29,63 / €27,69) per person.
Maritime Route
The maritime route is quicker and with fewer potential delays but more expensive. Keep in mind that this route also doesn’t go directly to Boipeba.
You can take a catamaran to Morro de São Paulo and from there, catch a speedboat or boat to Boipeba.
I traveled with Catamarã Biotur to Morro and it cost now R$ 151,81 (US$ 26.68 or € 24.72). There was only one departure time at 9:00 am, with a return trip at 11:30 am and you can book and purchase tickets directly on their website. They also provide plenty of information on Instagram and answer many questions. Note that the return trip can cause seasickness for sensitive travelers.
For those prone to seasickness, it’s recommended to eat light meals before traveling. When we went to Morro de São Paulo in October 2020, we took the Biotur catamaran, and it was a pleasant experience!
Alternatively, some 4×4 tours run from Morro de São Paulo to Boipeba. If you choose this option, be sure to pack light to make the journey easier.
Where to Stay in Boipeba?
Boipeba offers three main accommodation areas: near the center by the pier, a bit further up near local residences, and in Moreré. If you choose to stay near the center, you’ll likely be able to walk comfortably to your accommodation.
For places located farther uphill, you may want to hire a porter for around R$20 (US$ 3,49 or € 3,26) to help carry your bags. When we visited, we stayed in a small house through Airbnb a bit away from the center. Nel, my partner, bravely carried our heaviest bag—even with a broken wine bottle inside! It’s all part of the memories we made.
If you decide to stay in Moreré, you’ll need a tractor to get there, but most inns can arrange this transport. Don’t let the tractor ride deter you—Moreré is a paradise and staying there is a dream of ours!
We stayed at Casinha Benvenuto, located in an area known as Velha Boipeba. The house is charming, from floor to ceiling, with a unique decor and everything you need for a comfortable stay.
Though it’s a bit farther from the center, it was no issue for us. We were soon relaxing on Boca da Barra Beach, and even walked to Moreré along a breathtaking trail.
For those planning a stay in Moreré with a little extra budget, we highly recommend the Eco Pousada Casa Bobô. We’ve been following their work, and it’s a dream destination for us.
In the central area, you’ll find various pousadas and even some hostels. Our universal tip: always check reviews on Booking and read what other travelers have to say!
What to Do on Boipeba Island?
Boipeba is truly a paradise, and I can’t say that enough! Simply relaxing on the beach, soaking in the warm, clear waters, is an experience in itself. But as if that weren’t enough, there are plenty of activities to enjoy on the island.
Several companies near the pier where you arrive in Boipeba offer canoe or kayak trips through the mangroves, snorkeling, nighttime kayaking to view bioluminescence, and even whale-watching tours for humpback whales from July to November.
The most popular beach tours are the “island tour,” which takes you to several beaches in one trip, and tours to Castelhanos Beach and Moreré, which we’ll cover further on. To help you get oriented, here’s the order of beaches on Boipeba:
Boca da Barra (closest to the village center) > Tassimirim Beach > Cueira Beach > Mouth of the Oritibe River > Moreré > Bainema > Mouth of the Catu River > Castelhanos Beach.
What to do at night in Boipeba or Moreré? Look at the sky!
Many people ask, “What to do at night in Moreré?”. Of course, the island has great restaurants and even some bars that host luaus and such. I highly recommend checking out Tripadvisor; it’s always spot-on!
But our main tip for what to do at night in Moreré is: look at the sky! In the hustle and pollution of big cities, we can barely see the stars. But in Boipeba, you’ll be amazed.
Moreré and Ponta dos Castelhanos Beaches
These are the two most famous beaches in Boipeba. For those who aren’t staying there, it’s worth considering a tour. When we visited in 2019, we took a long (and beautiful) trail to reach Moreré.
In fact, we did this route several times during our stay. You can go directly by the beach, following the path mentioned earlier. As we were staying a bit farther from the center, we took a sandy “street” where 4×4 vehicles go to Moreré.
Then, we wandered through the woods, climbing a hill that separates this part of the beach. We cut through the forest to return to the beach.
We crossed the Catu River (very easy, especially at low tide), and voilà! We were in Moreré! To reach the Castelhanos Beach or see the natural pools at Moreré or Castelhanos, the only option is by boat or speedboat.
Both Moreré and Castelhanos beaches are very quiet, almost deserted, especially during the off-season.
We visited during a holiday in November 2019, and even then, these beaches were super peaceful. A true dream!
At Castelhanos Beach, you can also dive to see the remains of a Spanish shipwreck from 1530.
Morro de São Paulo
As mentioned, Boipeba is very close to Morro de São Paulo. If you have the time, don’t miss the chance to visit. It’s another stunning destination in Bahia.
If you’d like to know what to do in Morro and check out a full 4 or 7-day itinerary, click here!
