About the Port
Scattered in the Atlantic off the coast of Bahia, the Abrolhos Archipelago forms Brazil's oldest marine national park, a cluster of small volcanic islands ringed by the country's largest coral reef formations. The surrounding waters shelter sea turtles, reef fish, and dense colonies of seabirds, while the name itself, drawn from a Portuguese sailors' warning to keep eyes open, hints at the reefs' long navigational history.
Between roughly July and November, humpback whales gather in these waters to calve and mate, making the archipelago one of South America's most reliable whale-watching sites. Access is by tender, since no deep-water pier serves the islands, and landings are limited to protect the fragile ecosystem. Snorkeling, small-boat excursions, and ranger-led walks are the principal ways to experience this quiet, undeveloped corner of the Brazilian coast.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in abrolhos archipelago.
Snorkel the Coral Aquarium
Shallow reefs teeming with parrotfish and sea turtles sit just off the islands, reached by a short boat ride from the tender landing; masks and fins are the only gear needed for this easy, sheltered swim.
Spot Humpback Whales
Small boats cruise the surrounding channels where humpbacks gather to calve, often surfacing within close, respectful range; go with a ranger-guided outing and keep binoculars handy.
Join a Ranger-Led Island Walk
Guides lead short trails across the volcanic islets, pointing out nesting boobies and frigatebirds up close; numbers are capped daily, so join the first tender ashore to secure a spot.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit abrolhos archipelago
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 25, 2026 | Swan Hellenic | SH Vega | 6 | $3,275 | |
| Oct 28, 2027 | Swan Hellenic | SH Vega | 6 | $4,000 | |
| Oct 29, 2028 | Swan Hellenic | SH Vega | 7 | $4,450 |