Ilhas Portal

Ilhas Portal

Cities: Guaraqueçaba and Paranaguá

Attractions and activities: Here we find the second largest Brazilian bay. Also, the second-most popular stop for ecotourism in the state of Paraná, Honey Island (Ilha do Mel) has an excellent infrastructure for tourists, with many restaurants and B&Bs. Right next door, Peças Island (Ilha das Peças) has traditional fishing communities along with tourist options, aside from this being a great place to watch the Guianan Dolphin and Scarlet Ibis from shore (or from a boat). Superagui Island was formed when the Varadouro Canal was dredged and which connects Paranaguá Bay with the southern São Paulo shores. On this island, the endangered Black-faced Lion Tamarin should be watched – it is a charismatic little primate. On the island the visitor can find trails to explore, rustic B&Bs for spending a night or a few nights. Finding a boat to go to the Pine Island (Ilha do Pinheiro) is worth it, to see the endemic Red-tailed Parrot, that noisily gathers in groups as they fly off to feed in the mornings, or return to spend the night. Farther south in the Bay, Shallow Island (Ilha Rasa) is the home of some traditional Caiçara communities, living in nature with an ever-changing panorama of bay, mountains and forest. From this portal, the ocean is also accessible. The National Marine Park, Currais Island (Ilha Currais) is the home of, on land, many nesting sea birds, and, below the water, the Atlantic Goliath Grouper or Itajara. Access can be found to all these places from Paranaguá and Pontal do Sul at the south end of Paranaguá Bay, or Guaraqueçaba at the north end, or from the southern shores of the state of São Paulo.

Fascinating fauna to see here: Red-tailed Parrot (Amazona brasiliensis); Black-faced Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus caissara), Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber), Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas), Rufous Crab Hawk (Buteogallus aequinoctialis).

Photography by Zig Koch & stocks