Tinhare Island (Ilha de Tinharé)

The basics

Tinharé Island is a popular choice for day or multi-day tours from Salvador de Bahia. Travel to the island to explore its five villages, where you’ll find plenty of activities to keep you busy. Attractions on Tinharé Island include a historic lighthouse that you can visit, coastal hikes, and a lively nightlife scene in Morro de São Paulo, the island’s main town. If you want to get out on the water, you can swim, snorkel, or surf at the palm-fringed beaches, embark on a scenic boat tour, or take a dolphin-watching cruise.

Things to know before you go

• There is an admission fee to enter the island; you’ll be charged on arrival at the pier.

• Tinharé Island has a number of restaurants, shops, and accommodation options, but prices are often higher than on the mainland. There are no banks or ATMs on the island; make sure you bring enough cash, as not all places accept credit cards.

• The island is car-free, but locals provide a “taxi” service, using tractors that take visitors between the island’s beaches and hotels.

How to get there

Tinharé Island is located off the Bahia coast, about 75 miles (120 kilometers) south of Salvador de Bahia. To reach the island, you can take a catamaran directly from Salvador’s Mercado Modelo to Morro de São Paulo on the island. Alternatively, take a bus or taxi south to Valença (about a 2.5-hour drive), then catch a ferry (2 hours) or motorboat (35 minutes) out to the island.

When to get there

Bahia’s balmy weather means you can hit the beach all year round, but the most popular time to visit is during the summer months of November through March. Boats run to Tinharé Island throughout the year, but there are fewer options in the low season (April–June), and some hotels close down during the winter months.

Bahia’s most beautiful beaches

Salvador de Bahia is the gateway to some of Brazil’s most renowned beaches, known for their powder-white sands and glittering turquoise waters. Head north of the city to discover the Costa Azul (Blue Coast) between Pituba and Piatã, or continue to Praia do Forte, where you can spot whales and sea turtles. Coast da Sauipe is also an excellent option thanks to its luxury resorts and sweeping sand dunes.