Píer da Vila (Tender Pier) → Centro Histórico da Vila
After leaving the tender pier, climb the stairs to enter Ilhabela’s old town pedestrian plaza and shopping street, with pastel-colored colonial buildings and palm trees.
Cruise port in Brazil
Ilhabela
Explore on foot directly from the pier. Average time in port: 9 hours. 23 places to explore.
- Ships calling here
- 5 ships
- Upcoming sailings
- 106 sailings
- Average time in port
- About 9 hours
- Lowest fare
- From USD 263
Photo by Christian Felix Möller Somers on Unsplash
After disembarking
Cruise ships dock at Ilhabela cruise landing pier. Explore on foot directly from the pier.
- Where the ship docks
Cruise ships dock at Ilhabela cruise landing pier.
- São José dos Campos Airport
The nearest major airport named on the page is in São José dos Campos, about a 2-hour drive from Ilhabela.
- Ilhabela tender landing location
Cruise ships anchor in the Ilhabela Strait, and tenders take passengers to Píer da Vila in the historic center. Historic colonial-style buildings, travel agencies, and taxi stands are clustered right in front of the pier, making it convenient to explore on foot.
- Beware of biting black flies (Borrachudo)
Ilhabela's pristine rainforest and valleys have many tiny biting flies called borrachudos that cause severe itching and swelling. Reapply insect repellent containing Icaridin or high-concentration DEET regularly.
- Castelhanos off-road tour duration and booking
Castelhanos, a wild beach on the other side of the island, is reached via an 18 km unpaved jungle road accessible only to 4WD jeeps. The round trip takes 5–6 hours. Pre-book round-trip transport through the cruise line or an authorized tour operator to return before the ship departs.
About 9 hours in port: where can you go?
Time available at the destination after subtracting return travel.
- IlhabelaAt the pierTime at destinationAbout 9 hr
- Praia do CurralAbout 35 min each wayTime at destinationAbout 7 hr 30 min
- Praia de CastelhanosAbout 1 hr 30 min each wayTime at destinationAbout 6 hr
Return travel Time at destination
Calculated from the average time in port. Return deadlines vary by sailing; check the daily programme on board.
Between the terminal, city and airport
Travel between the terminal, city center, railway station and airport.
Píer da Vila → Praia do Curral
At the bus stop in central Vila, board an Expresso Fênix city bus heading south (Sul), travel about 10 km along the coast, and get off at the entrance to Curral Beach.
Píer da Vila → Praia do Curral
Take a regulated-fare taxi from the official stand in front of the pier to Praia do Curral, a lively resort beach in the south of the island. It is a good idea to arrange a pickup time for the return.
Vila Pier / Historic Center → Praia dos Castelhanos
Board an open 4x4 jeep tour vehicle at the tour assembly area in front of the pier and cross the state park’s unpaved mountain road through the jungle to Praia dos Castelhanos, a pristine white-sand beach on the east coast.
Ilhabela places to explore
Explore 19 checked places. Select a pin to see its card, or choose View on map from a card.
Parque Estadual de Ilhabela
A state park traversed by the jungle route taken by four-wheel-drive vehicles heading to Castelhanos.
- Admission
- Free
- Hours
- Daily 07:00–17:00
The road to Parque Estadual de Ilhabela has potholes in places, so use caution in a low-clearance vehicle.
Praia da Feiticeira
One of Ilhabela's well-known beaches, popular with visitors seeking a quiet time with family.
The water gets relatively deep soon after entering the sea, so take care when going in with children, older adults, or anyone who is frail.
Cachoeira da Toca
At the first section of the Toca Waterfall, swim in a cool natural pool. A longer trail continues to the top of the waterfall.
- Hours
- Daily 09:00–17:00
Mirante do Piúva
A viewpoint visited on the return day in an Ilhabela travel account.
- Hours
- Daily 24 hours
Cachoeira 3 Tombos
A waterfall featured as a destination on the third day of an Ilhabela travel account.
- Hours
- Daily 08:00–17:00
Visitors who are not island residents must be accompanied by a guide from the entrance onward, so budget for the guide’s fee.
Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora D’Ajuda e Bom Sucesso
A church described as a signature attraction of Vila Ilhabela, with origins dating back to the 17th century.
- Hours
- Mon 08:00–12:00
Tue–Sat 08:00–17:00
Sun Closed
Dogs are not allowed inside the church, so do not plan to visit with your pet.
Trips nearby
With enough time in port, you can explore beyond the city. One-way times are approximate.
Praia do Curral
About 35 min each wayTime at destination About 7 hr 30 min
NeighborhoodsPraia do CurralA beach with dining facilities; kiosks sell fish and shrimp dishes and coconut water.
Praia de Castelhanos
About 1 hr 30 min each wayTime at destination About 6 hrAbout 3 hr round trip · Check your return margin
NeighborhoodsPraia de CastelhanosA beach on the island's east side facing the Atlantic. A travel account says it is accessible by boat, four-wheel-drive vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot.
SightsCachoeira do GatoA waterfall reached by a trail from the opposite end of Castelhanos Beach. The travel account gives the round-trip walk to the waterfall as 4 km.
SightsMirante de CastelhanosA viewpoint overlooking the Castelhanos coastline.
Cruises calling at Ilhabela
106 sailings are grouped into 38 cruises by ship and route.
MSC Cruises8 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2026.12 ~ 2027.03Americas cruises · 8 nights · Mid-length cruise
Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay
Buenos Aires departure · round trip
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 1,900
MSC Cruises4 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2026.12 ~ 2027.03Americas cruises · 8 nights · Mid-length cruise
Rio de Janeiro, Ilhabela, Balneario Camboriu, Punta Del Este, Buenos Aires
Rio de Janeiro departure · round trip
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 1,195
MSC CruisesSailing 2026.12Americas cruises · 6 nights
Santos (Sao Paulo), Rio de Janeiro, Paranaguá
Santos → Paranaguá
Per person, double occupancyCheck with the booking provider
MSC CruisesBook now
Sailing 2026.12Americas cruises · 7 nights
Santos (Sao Paulo), Rio de Janeiro, Paranaguá, Itajai
Santos → Itajai
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 921
MSC CruisesBook now
Sailing 2026.12Americas cruises · 2 nights · Short cruise
Santos (Sao Paulo), Rio de Janeiro
Santos → Rio de Janeiro
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 263
MSC CruisesBook now
Sailing 2026.12Americas cruises · 5 nights
Santos, Ilha Grande, Buzios, Ilhabela
Santos departure · round trip
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 999
MSC Cruises10 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2026.12 ~ 2027.03Americas cruises · 7 nights
Rio de Janeiro, Paranaguá, Itajai
Rio de Janeiro departure · round trip
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 918
MSC Cruises2 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2026.12 ~ 2027.01Americas cruises · 9 nights · Mid-length cruise
Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina
Rio de Janeiro departure · round trip
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 1,623
MSC CruisesBook now
Sailing 2026.12Americas cruises · 7 nights
Santos, Buzios, Salvador, Copacabana, Ilhabela
Santos departure · round trip
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 2,031
MSC CruisesSailing 2026.12Americas cruises · 7 nights
Paranaguá, Itajai, Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana (Rio de Jainero)
Paranaguá departure · round trip
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 2,363
MSC Cruises6 departure datesBook now
Sailing 2026.12 ~ 2027.02Americas cruises · 9 nights · Mid-length cruise
Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay
Buenos Aires departure · round trip
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 2,191
MSC CruisesSailing 2026.12Americas cruises · 7 nights
Itajai, Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana (Rio de Jainero), Paranaguá
Itajai departure · round trip
Per person, double occupancyCheck with the booking provider
38 cruises call at this port.
Ships calling at Ilhabela
Explore cabin types, dining and deck facilities for each ship.
MSC Cruises · 75 sailings
MSC Musica
11 cabin types · 6 dining venues · 42 entertainment options · 13 decks
Explore the ship
MSC Cruises · 25 sailings
MSC Splendida
16 cabin types · 8 dining venues · 46 entertainment options · 14 decks
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MSC Cruises · 3 sailings
MSC Virtuosa
20 cabin types · 16 dining venues · 52 entertainment options · 15 decks
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MSC Cruises · 2 sailings
MSC Divina
20 cabin types · 9 dining venues · 50 entertainment options · 14 decks
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About Ilhabela
Ilhabela is a port visited by MSC Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, with ships usually staying for about ten hours. The port is often included as a port of call on a Brazilian coastal route connecting Rio de Janeiro, Santos, and other destinations.
Cruise lines calling here: 2 places
MSC CruisesRegent Seven Seas Cruises
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