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Aerial view of the village of Ilhabela, with the sea, the boats and the hill

3-day expedition in Ilhabela, Brazil

6 Beaches Traverse

Bonete Castelhanos

Trekking in either direction along the wildest side of the island, with nights in the traditional caiçara communities of Bonete and Castelhanos.

  • 3days
  • 30km
  • 6beaches
  • 2nights
Book now Photo gallery View itinerary

R$ 2.499 per person in a single payment, or up to 12 installments by card (card fees apply)

The route

Six beaches between Bonete and Castelhanos

30 km over 2 days of trekking through pristine Atlantic Forest, wild beaches and rocky shores, with a night in Bonete and another in Castelhanos.

We run this traverse in both directions: Bonete-Castelhanos and Castelhanos-Bonete.

  1. 1Praia do BoneteOvernight
  2. 2Praia das Enchovas
  3. 3Praia de Indaiaúba
  4. 4Praia Vermelha
  5. 5Praia Mansa
  6. 6Praia de CastelhanosOvernight

Difficulty: hard. Recommended for experienced hikers.

Day by day

Three days, two nights in the caiçara communities

This is the itinerary in the Bonete-Castelhanos direction.

  1. Two hikers sitting on a rock on a hilltop, with the bay and mountains of Ilhabela behind them

    Day 1

    Bonete Trail

    about 14 km5 to 6 h

    Trekking through pristine Atlantic Forest, with stops at waterfalls to rest and swim, and viewpoints over the sea. You arrive at Praia do Bonete, a village with a strong caiçara culture, and have the rest of the day free on the beach.

    Night in a hostel in Bonete

  2. Hikers crossing a river between mossy rocks in the forest, on the trail between Bonete and Castelhanos

    Day 2

    From Bonete to Castelhanos

    about 16 km7 to 8 h

    We set off at dawn, at 6 a.m., along the 6 Beaches Trail: wild beaches, rocky shores and untouched stretches of forest. You arrive at Praia de Castelhanos, one of the largest beaches on the island, with 1,800 meters of sand.

    Night in a chalet in Castelhanos

  3. Praia de Castelhanos from above, with its curved bay, blue sea and forest in the foreground

    Day 3

    Castelhanos and the jeep ride back

    full day in Castelhanos

    Swimming in the sea and the river, walks along the beach, the Mirante do Coração (Heart Viewpoint) and the Mirante do Francês. The ride back to town is by 4x4 jeep, across Ilhabela State Park.

    Back to town by 4x4 jeep

Included in the price

What’s included

Everything on this list is already included in the price of the traverse.

Guide and safety

  • Expert professional guiding
  • Adventure insurance
  • Protective gear: snake gaiters and a walking stick

Lodging and transfers

  • 2 nights’ lodging: a hostel in Bonete and a chalet in Castelhanos
  • Boat and 4x4 jeep transfers, depending on the direction of the traverse

On the trail

  • Water (1.5 L)
  • Sports drink
  • Carb gel
  • Inositol and magnesium
  • Fresh sandwich

To take home

  • Official 6 Beaches Traverse T-shirt
  • High-resolution photos of the expedition

Not included: full meals (lunch and dinner).

Price per person, single payment

R$2.499

Full traverse, in either direction

  • Same price in both directions: Bonete-Castelhanos or Castelhanos-Bonete
  • Or up to 12 installments by card (card fees apply)
  • To book, a 50% deposit; the rest at the start of the traverse
  • Guiding, 2 nights’ lodging, boat and 4x4 jeep transfers and adventure insurance included

Book your spot

Choose a preferred date

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Number of people

2

2 × R$ 2.499R$ 4.998single payment

Direction

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Online support, 24 hours

A group hiking in single file through the Atlantic Forest VideoThe 6 Beaches Traverse in Ilhabela, with nights in Bonete and Castelhanos
Tap to watch right here

Your guide

Ernani Sousa, official guide and founder of Trilhabela

For more than 20 years, Ernani has been leading visitors along the trails, peaks and traverses of Ilhabela.

  • Licensed by PEIBOfficial guide authorized by Ilhabela State Park (PEIB)
  • Honorary memberOf the Fundação Florestal and Ilhabela State Park
  • Caminho da Mata AtlânticaRecognized on the Caminho da Mata Atlântica, the Atlantic Forest long-distance trail
  • First aidFirst aid kit on every trail

See reviews on Google

A 6 Beaches Traverse group at the Mirante do Saquinho viewpoint, next to a large rock, with the beach and mountains in the background
Mirante do Saquinho

“When we step into the Atlantic Forest, titles are left behind.”

On the last expedition, after several days of rain, the trail was soaked, the rocks were slippery and fallen trees blocked the way. We had to stop, assess the risks and find a safe way through, because real adventure is never about putting people at risk.

The goal isn’t just to get there. It’s to make sure everyone gets there together.

From the account of Trilhabela’s last expedition
A group with backpacks and rain ponchos on the wet trail, in the forest VideoThe story of the last expedition
Tap to watch right here

Photo gallery

The beaches of the traverse

Beach by beach, in the order of the traverse, from Bonete to Castelhanos. Tap a photo to see it full size.

Praia do Bonete

Overnight in the caiçara community
  • Bonete bay from the trail viewpoint, with red bromeliads in front and the blue sea
  • Two hikers seen from behind at the top of the viewpoint, looking out over Bonete bay
  • A hiker with a backpack and pole reaching the sand at Bonete, in the shade of the trees
  • Praia do Bonete from high on the trail, with boats on the blue water and the grassy hill behind
  • Praia do Bonete from above, with the strip of sand, the houses among the forest and the blue sea
  • Praia do Bonete and the forested headland beside it, seen from above, with boats on the blue sea
  • A person standing on a large boulder, looking at Bonete bay from above, with waves rolling onto the beach
  • Praia do Bonete from above, with coconut palms in front, the sand, the boats and the forest behind

Praia das Enchovas

Along the way
  • Praia das Enchovas, a beach of rounded stones, with the forested shore and the sea
  • A caiçara house with blue windows among coconut palms, at Praia das Enchovas
  • Hikers with backpacks crossing the rounded stones of Praia das Enchovas

Praia de Indaiaúba

Along the way
  • Praia de Indaiaúba: pale sand, dark rocks and blue sea
  • The Ilhabela city sign on arrival at Praia de Indaiaúba, with the rocks and sea behind
  • A stream running between the rocks down to the sea, on arrival at Praia de Indaiaúba
  • Indaiaúba beach with large boulders on the sand, the blue sea and the forested hill in the background
  • Indaiaúba beach seen between the trees, with the roots of a tree in front and rocks at the water’s edge
  • The cove at Indaiaúba seen between the trees, with the blue sea, the rocks and the forested hill
  • A hiker in a hat with a walking stick on the forest trail, with another person further back

Praia Vermelha

Along the way
  • Praia Vermelha from above, with its strip of sand, forest up to the hills and the blue sea
  • The bay at Praia Vermelha from above, between the trees, with turquoise water, the beach in the distance and a rocky hill behind
  • The sand at Praia Vermelha, with rocks at the water’s edge, coconut palms and the forested hill behind

Praia Mansa

Along the way
  • Colorful canoes on the sand at Praia Mansa, with the rocks and the blue sea
  • The curve of sand at Praia Mansa, with calm water, the rocks and the forested hill in the background
  • Praia Mansa from above, through the vegetation, with turquoise sea and a boat on the sand

Praia de Castelhanos

Overnight, 1,800 meters of sand
  • Praia de Castelhanos from the viewpoint, with the rocky islet and the mountains behind
  • The curve of Praia de Castelhanos and the rocky islet from above, with green and blue sea
  • All of Praia de Castelhanos from above, with a purple flower in front
  • Ranger station of the Parque Estadual de Ilhabela
  • Chuveirinho waterfall on the Castelhanos road
  • Stretches of the Travessia das 6 Praias in Ilhabela
  • Wooden bridge on the Castelhanos Trail
  • Giant tree on the Castelhanos Trail
  • Mirante de Castelhanos (Castelhanos Viewpoint)
  • A moment of contemplation at the Mirante do Coração (Heart Viewpoint) in Castelhanos
  • Arms wide open to the sea, at the viewpoint on the Castelhanos Trail
  • Praia de Castelhanos
  • Praia de Castelhanos with the small island in the background
  • A tree by the sea on Praia de Castelhanos
  • Arrival at the chalets on Castelhanos beach in Ilhabela

Like what you see? Pick your date in the booking form or read Trilhabela’s reviews on Google.

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The trail

Forest, river, rocky shore and beach

  • Two hikers with bamboo walking sticks on a hilltop, with the bay and the beach in the background
  • A hiker in gaiters with a walking stick next to the wooden sign pointing to Castelhanos and Bonete
  • A sandy beach with big boulders at the water’s edge, coconut palms and a forested hill behind
  • A beach of rounded stones and open sea, with forest on the shore and a cloudy sky
  • An old stone arch covered in plants over a stone path in the forest
  • A group of hikers smiling on a wooden deck facing the beach
  • A group of hikers with backpacks crossing a stream in the forest
  • A simple house with blue windows and a clay tile roof among trees and coconut palms

Before you go

Questions about the traverse

How hard is the traverse?

Hard. It’s recommended for experienced hikers: 30 km over 2 days of trekking.

Where is the meeting point?

It’s arranged with the guide on WhatsApp, depending on where you’re staying in Ilhabela.

Do I need to book my entry to the State Park?

No. The trails are inside Ilhabela State Park, which requires an entry booking, and your guide takes care of it for you.

Is there a liability waiver?

Yes. Every participant signs a risk and responsibility acknowledgment, along with a medical form, in line with the ABNT NBR ISO 21101 standard.

How does payment work?

To book, you pay a 50% deposit; the other 50% at the start of the traverse. The R$ 2.499 per person is for a single payment (Pix accepted); by card, you can split it into up to 12 installments, with the card fees.

What should I bring?

Trail shoes or hiking boots, light clothing, sunscreen, insect repellent and any personal medication. Your guide will go over everything when you confirm.

Still have a question?Ask on WhatsApp

Upcoming dates

Get your group together

Message Trilhabela on WhatsApp and check the upcoming dates for the 6 Beaches Traverse.

Check upcoming dates
  • Online support, 24 hoursOn WhatsApp
  • Based in Ilhabela, SPRua Carlos Andrade Rizzini, 27, Barra Velha
  • PEIB-licensed guideIlhabela State Park
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