Prison ruins
Porto das Palmas colony.
Talles Gaspar — CC BY-SA 4.0 · João D'Andretta — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Talles Gaspar — CC BY-SA 4.0 · LAÍS DE RAMOS RECHINELI — CC BY-SA 4.0
Ilha Anchieta State Park, created in 1977, protects an 828-hectare island off Ubatuba. Known until 1934 as Ilha dos Porcos (Pig Island), it was a prison island: the ruins of the Porto das Palmas correctional colony, with its prison, barracks and civilian village, survive among more than 2,000 m² of historic buildings, and it held prisoners until a great rebellion in 1955. Today it has seven beaches and several walking trails, and its wildlife includes capuchin monkeys, marmosets, coatis, capybaras and agoutis, many brought in 1983 by the São Paulo Zoo. The clear waters around it are closed to all fishing, and camping, fishing, taking marine life and bringing pets are banned. Boats leave mainly from Saco da Ribeira and Itaguá beaches, about 30 minutes away; schooner trips cost around R$120, plus a small park fee (about R$20-30). The park opens 8:00-17:00 and closes on Wednesdays.
Porto das Palmas colony.
Clear water.
Monkeys and capybaras.
Off Ubatuba, São Paulo
Mainly from Saco da Ribeira and Itaguá beaches in Ubatuba; the crossing takes about 30 minutes.