About the Port
Angra dos Reis sits along Rio de Janeiro state's Costa Verde, a stretch of coastline dotted with hundreds of small islands, granite peaks, and quiet coves. Founded in the colonial era, the town retains a modest historic core near the waterfront, but its real draw lies just offshore, where boat excursions reach secluded beaches and the forested expanse of Ilha Grande, once home to a notorious prison and now largely protected parkland.
Travelers use Angra dos Reis chiefly as a gateway to these island waters, with local boats and schooners departing from the pier area for day trips among the bays. The surrounding hills, cloaked in Atlantic Forest, add a lush backdrop to the marina and harbor scene. It is a place best suited to slow exploration by water, where swimming stops and island villages define the rhythm of a visit.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Angra Dos Reis.
Schooner Trip Through the Bay
Board one of the wooden schooners departing near the pier for a half-day sail among the islands, with stops for swimming in calm, clear coves. Book ahead, as popular routes fill quickly.
Explore Ilha Grande
Take a boat out to this forested island for jungle trails, waterfalls, and the powder-white sands of Lopes Mendes beach; allow at least half a day given travel time.
Wander the Historic Waterfront
Stroll the modest colonial center near the harbor, with its old church and pastel facades, for a quick taste of Angra's roots before heading out on the water.