White sand
Three kilometres.
Tarcísio de Paula Salgado — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Fulviusbsas — Public domain · TMbux — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Cibele Brugnera — CC BY-SA 4.0
Lopes Mendes is a beach on the ocean side of Ilha Grande, counted among the most beautiful in Brazil: three kilometres of fine white sand, clear water in shades of blue, and thick coastal vegetation behind it, with no buildings and no residents. The water is shallow and fine for swimming on calm days, but the waves are often strong, drawing surfers, so take care with children. Because the open sea makes landing boats difficult, most visitors arrive via the calm Palmas cove on the other side. The usual way: a boat from Vila do Abraão, 30 to 60 minutes, to Pouso beach in Palmas cove, then a walk of 20 to 30 minutes along a one-kilometre forest trail. Or walk all the way from Abraão on a long trail of several hours. There are no services on the beach, so bring water, food and shade, and take your rubbish back.
Three kilometres.
From Palmas cove.
On windy days.
Ocean coast of Ilha Grande
By boat from Vila do Abraão to Pouso beach in Palmas cove, then a 20-30 minute forest walk, or the long trail from Abraão of several hours.