Ilhabela (Brazil)

Ilhabela Island (officially Ilha de Sao Sebastiao / St Sebastian Island) is located in the Atlantic Ocean, approx 6 km (4 ml) off the coast of Sao Paulo (state), Brazil. The island is approx 205 km (127 ml) to the north-east from Sao Paulo and approx 340 km (210 ml) to the south-east from Rio de Janeiro.

The Ilhabela municipality consists of Ilhabela Island plus the islands Buzios, Vitoria and Pescadores, and the islets Castelhanos, Cabras, Enchovas, Lagoa, Serraria and Figueira. The island has total population around 32,000 and covers an area of approx 348 km2 (134 ml2).

During the holidays, up to 100,000 tourists may visit the island, as it is a popular vacation destination. The city is accessible via boats or ferries from Sao Sebastiao, as there are no roads reaching it. Ferry travel is about 15 min, crossing the channel between the cities.

Ilhabela is also a popular sailing (yachting) and scuba diving destination.  The sea around the island is filled with over 50 shipwrecks, 6 of which are opened for diving. Other popular activities are whale watchings (humpback-, minke-, bryde's-, southern right whales and orcas). The island has plenty of hiking trails with various degrees of difficulty and a total of 360 waterfalls found in its jungle.