In the past, the island housed Indians, hospitals, pirates and until recently enough, in 1994, it was a jail. Up to then and a little after, prison’s operation ceased and the area was inhabited only by local families. However, it took no much time for the tourists to discover this paradise and admire its beauties.
Bearing in mind that there are no cars or even banks (you need to have your cash with you from the mainland) in the island, this ”primitive” situation will make you feel the sense of exoticism of the area.
The island’s main village is Vila Abrao, but it is actually famous for its numerous magnificent beaches, including Praia Lopes Mendes (voted as one of the 10 most beautiful beaches worldwide, by Vogue magazine), Parnaioca Beach (in which you may see remnants of the slave period of the island), Caxadaco Beach, Adventurer Beach and of course, Blue Lagoon.
This island is definitely among the first choices of any scuba-diving keener in the whole world. Turquoise, crystal waters, corals and reefs, wrecks of interest (Pinguino shipwreck or the helicopter wreck), as well as abundant tropical marine life make it a tempting destination for any kind of diver.
The water temperature ranges from 20 to 25°C (68-77°F) and the visibility varies from 6 to 20 m (20 to 66 ft). You have the chance to explore and enjoy Ilha Grande’s warm and fascinating waters covering all your expectations.
Santa Catarina State, in southern Brazil, consist of a continental part and it is surrounded by a number of small islands which are excellent destinations for scuba diving.
Malta is located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, regarded as of great strategic importance throughout history. Valletta, the capital city of Malta, also called The Fortress City and is an amazing late Renaissance work of art and architecture.
Situated in the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Islands, also known as Emerald Isles because of their green forests, are an isolated group of 325 islands with distinct beauty. Still remaining untouched by mass tourism, the islands are located closer to Thailand than to India and the main settlement called the Port Blair is easily approached from India by plane or ferry.
If there was ever a place, called underwater paradise on earth, it would be at the Raja Ampat Islands. Located on the northwest end of New Guinea Island in Indonesia, Raja Ampat is an archipelago with more than 1500 islands, coral reefs and sandbars, situated in the Coral Triangle and surrounded by the majestic Pacific Ocean.
Ushuaia is the capital city of the Tierra del Fuego province in Patagonia, commonly referred as the southernmost city in the world, being also an important naval base. It is located in a wide open bay, on the south coast of Isla Grande de Terra del Fuego and bordered in the north by the Martial mountain range.
Shanzu Beach is located at the Northern coast of Mombasa. Its beach lies along the shimmering waters of the Mombasa marine park along Shanzu beach, at 30 km/18 mi from Mombasa town. The spot beach is environmental friendly and has moorings installed for any anchoring damage.
Cabo Frio is a municipality in the State of Rio de Janeiro, located at 150 km/93 mi eastward from the city of Rio. Rio de Janeiro, commonly known as Rio, is the capital city of the Rio de Janeiro State, the second largest city of Brazil and the third largest metropolitan area in South America. Since July 2012, part of the city has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in the category of ''cultural landscape''.
Rio de Janeiro, commonly known as Rio, is the capital city of the Rio de Janeiro State, the second largest city of Brazil and the third largest metropolitan area in South America. Since July 2012, part of the city has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in the category of ''cultural landscape''.
Sao Paulo is located in the southeastern side of Brazil, it is the largest city of the country as well as the largest of South America's cities. It is a metropolis of great cultural, economic and political influence both in a national and an international level.
Ilha Grande is the biggest and most well known island of the Green Bay at about 150 km/93 mi in the west-side of the State of Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, commonly known as Rio, is the capital city of the Rio de Janeiro State, the second largest city of Brazil and the third largest metropolitan area in South America. Since July 2012, part of the city has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in the category of ''cultural landscape''.
Rio de Janeiro, commonly known as Rio, is the capital city of the Rio de Janeiro State, the second largest city of Brazil and the third largest metropolitan area in South America. Since July 2012, part of the city has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in the category of ''cultural landscape''.
Ilha Grande is the biggest and most well known island of the Green Bay at about 150 km/93 mi in the west-side of the State of Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, commonly known as Rio, is the capital city of the Rio de Janeiro State, the second largest city of Brazil and the third largest metropolitan area in South America. Since July 2012, part of the city has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in the category of ''cultural landscape''.
Barra da Tijuca is a southwestern borough of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, known for its natural and opulent beauty. Rio de Janeiro, commonly known as Rio, is the capital city of the Rio de Janeiro State, the second largest city of Brazil and the third largest metropolitan area in South America. Since July 2012, part of the city has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in the category of ''cultural landscape''.
Resende is a city in the State of Rio de Janeiro, the oldest one of its region. Resende is characterized by its beautiful natural settings, since in its territory there is a mountain range, a peak and a river as well as two of the most picturesque villages; Visconde de Mauá and Penedo, that constitute the main poles of touristic attraction.
