Sunset
Behind the island.
Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). — CC BY-SA 4.0
Urubuqueçaba is a small, rocky, wooded island off the beaches of Santos, between Itararé beach to the east and José Menino beach to the west, on the boundary between Santos and São Vicente, so it marks where one city ends and the other begins. Its name comes from the Tupi language and means «where the vultures sleep», a roost for vultures, gulls and seabirds. The island has a history of projects that never happened: it was sold several times, and each owner tried to build on it, with plans for two bridges, one for boarding passengers and one linking it to the beach, halted by legal difficulties. In 1889 a tuberculosis sanatorium was planned, which never came about either, and in the early 1940s a bold scheme for a huge seaside resort would have changed the whole beachfront, but stayed on paper. The island has no buildings today, and crossing to it is not advised given the difficult access and sea currents, but it is a lovely sight from the seafront and promenade, above all at sunset, and a stop on a walk along Santos's famous beach gardens.
Behind the island.
On the rocks.
Santos promenade.
Off José Menino beach, on the Santos–São Vicente boundary
Crossing to it isn't advised given the hard access and currents; it is seen from the beach and promenade.
