Exclusive Itineraries

Explore the lush world of birdwatching in Ilhabela with tailor-made services for nature lovers! Our dedication to providing unique experiences includes a variety of itineraries that cater to all levels of interest, from beginners to enthusiasts seeking to photograph a specific species.

Specialized local guides have crafted exciting routes for you to make the most of your experience. If you have a particular wish in mind, do not hesitate to communicate directly with our guides, as they are ready to turn your dreams into an unforgettable adventure. Going above and beyond is our commitment to your experience in Ilhabela — contact them now and get ready to uncover a new world of birds and nature!

Photo: Antonio Amaral

Itinerary – Miller’s Trail:

Details:

  • Birdwatcher Profile: Beginner and Intermediate
  • Trail Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Activity Duration: 5 hours

Departure: 7:00 AM

Visit to the Bird Feeder: Ideal time for observation between March and late August, Fall/Winter seasons. Possibility of day use. Located in the Barra Velha Alta neighborhood.

8:30 AM - Destination:

Waterfall Park / White Water Trail: Walk through the trails of the Municipal and State Park, engaging in contemplative birdwatching in their natural environment.

12:00 PM - End of Activity

End of the tour

Possible sightings:

  • Tanager
  • Catbird
  • White-bellied Tody-Tyrant
  • Green-billed Toucan
  • Lineated Woodpecker
  • Variegated Antpitta
  • Red-winged Tinamou
  • Crested Antshrike
  • Blue-bellied Parrot
  • White-flanked Antwren

Highlight:

Flexible circuit according to the participant’s physical condition.

Green-billed Toucan
White-flanked Antwren

Photos: Antonio Amaral and Fernando Moraes

Itinerary – Engenho Bird Circuit

Details:

  • Target Audience: Beginners and Intermediate
  • Trail Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Activity duration: 7 hours

Departure: 7:00 AM

Birdwatching at Baepi Viewpoint

09:00 AM - Destination:

Caiçara/Colonial Breakfast at Engenho D’água Farm

12:00 PM - Lunch in a restaurant:

Caiçara typical cuisine

02:00 PM - Return to the hotel

End of the tour

Possible sightings:

  • Blue-bellied Parrot
  • Fork-tailed Flycatcher
  • Planalto Woodcreeper
  • Swallow-tailed Manakin
  • Seven-colored Tanager
  • Military Macaw
  • Blood Tanager

Highlight:

Combination of birdwatching, historical-cultural, and gastronomic route.

Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Photo: Antonio Amaral

Itinerary – Stories, Birds, and Whales:

Details:

  • Target Audience: Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced
  • Trail Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Activity duration: 9 hours and 30 min

Departure: 08:00 AM

Departure from hotel

09:00 AM - Destination:

Birdwatching at Engenho da Toca

12:00 PM - Lunch:

Lunch at Engenho da Toca

02:00 PM until 03:30 PM

Arrival at ASM Cambaquara

04:00 PM - Arrival at VIVA

Learn more about wales

05:30 PM - Return to Hotel

End of the tour

Possible sightings:

  • Whales and dolphins
  • Blue-bellied Parrot
  • Green-billed Toucan
  • Swallow-tailed Manakin
  • Seven-colored Tanager
  • Military Macaw
  • Blood Tanager

Highlight:

Complete experience with whale monitoring, parrot rehabilitation and release, environmental conservation projects, historical-cultural, and gastronomic elements.

Important:

Whale watching period occurs between May and September, as the cetaceans pass through our coastline on their way to and from breeding in Abrolhos.

Seven-colored Tanager
Blue-bellied Parrot

Photos: Antonio Amaral and Paulo Stefani

Explore even more adventure possibilities

Mangrove + Sora-Rail Trail

Photo: Fernando Moraes

Mangrove + Sora-Rail Trail

  • Start your day at 6:00 AM immersing yourself in the life of coastal and mangrove birds, surrounded by about 50 species in just 700m.
  • Then, delve into an easily accessible trail, providing the unique experience of being close to birds in their natural habitat. A 2.5km path full of surprises.
  • Ends at 12:00 PM. Limited to 4 people.

Three Tumbles Waterfall + Veloso Waterfall Trails

Photo: Antonio Amaral

Three Tumbles Waterfall + Veloso Waterfall Trails

  • Explore two exceptional trails for birdwatching, including the majestic Veloso Waterfall, in a unique beauty setting in the preserved Atlantic Forest.
  • Witness the spectacle of tanagers during the breeding season. An exciting 6-hour journey. Limited to 6 people.

Waterfall Park + White Water Trail

Photo: Antonio Amaral

Waterfall Park + White Water Trail

  • Depart early at 6:00 AM for a unique birdwatching experience from a rocky viewpoint, followed by a light trail through the Castelhanos Park Road.
  • Explore the traditional community of Castelhanos and enjoy a refreshing dip in a natural pool in the Atlantic Forest.
  • Ends at 12:00 PM. Limited to 6 people.

Castelhanos Park Road – Off Road

Photo: Antonio Amaral

Castelhanos Park Road – Off Road

  • Embark on an exhilarating off-road adventure of 25km, stopping at strategic points to admire rare birds.
  • Spot majestic birds like the Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, Southern Caracara, and Great BlackHawk. Return scheduled after 3:00 PM. Limited to 8 people.

Banana Trail

Photo: Antonio Amaral

Banana Trail

  • Brave a medium-level trail over 5km, sighting rare species like the Yellow-faced Parrotlet and the White-bearded Antshrike.
  • Between September and January, have the chance to witness the nest of the majestic Tufted Antshrike. An enriching 6-hour experience.
    Limited to 6 people.

Night Owl Hikes – Exploring Various Trails

Photo: Fernando Moraes

Night Owl Hikes – Exploring Various Trails

  • Explore various trails and spots in Ilhabela in search of nocturnal birds, where you may spot anything from majestic owls to the peculiar Common Potoo (in October)
  • A 2.5-hour experience full of mystery and enchantment. Limited to 6 people.

Possible Walking Tour Extension – Historic Center

Schedule:

  • 9:00 AM – Historical Tour in the Village
  • 6:00 PM – Evening Village Tour
  • Duration: 2 hours

Visitation Points:

  • Julião de Moura Negrão Square, former Pillory, slave market, cannon
    battery, museums, and church.

Photo: Fernando Moraes

White-necked Hawk
Black-banded Owl Couple

Photo: Paulo Stefani

Discover the incredible Alcatrazes Archipelago and other wonders!

Embark on a unique and unforgettable adventure, where observing Frigatebirds and Boobies turns into a breathtaking experience. Picture yourself surrounded by over 11,000 of these magnificent birds in all stages of life, in a marine sanctuary located 40 miles off the coast between Ilhabela and São Sebastião. It is considered the largest nesting site for frigatebirds in the South Atlantic.

Awaken the explorer within you as you encounter the largest nesting site of these birds, in a stunning setting composed of peaks rising up to 360 meters high, bathed by the bluest and most crystal-clear water your eyes have ever beheld.

Get ready to live a truly “pterodactyl” experience that will surely be etched in your memory forever. Come discover the Alcatrazes Archipelago and immerse yourself in a world of natural wonders like you’ve never imagined!

Important: For those wishing to observe pelagic species, we are ready to organize expeditions, on demand, fully personalized, with maritime transportation, onboard accommodation, and catering services.

Photos: Werner Benz

Alcatrazes Archipelago
Female Violet-capped Woodnymph

Photos: Werner Benz

Photos: Viva Institute

Alcatrazes Archipelago

Get to know ASM Cambaquara in Ilhabela, SP!

A local initiative dedicated to the preservation of biodiversity and native birds, including the critically endangered Blue-fronted Parrot, ASM Cambaquara provides specialized care and rehabilitation for birds from the parrot and toucan families.

In collaboration with SEMIL since 2014, ASM Cambaquara (Monitored Release Area) receives birds for rehabilitation, providing clinical assessments, examinations, flight training, and interactions to prepare them for reintroduction into nature.

Focusing on post-release monitoring, ASM Cambaquara conducts regular observations of the birds in the vicinity, promotes awareness activities and environmental education, all documented in the SIGAM system to ensure transparency and effective outcomes.

We value bird conservation in Ilhabela – that’s why ASM Cambaquara does not allow public visits.

Cetacean Observation

Meet VIVA Verde Azul Institute, which was born from the desire to share the fascination, intelligence, and mysteries of whales and dolphins, as well as the threats they face.

VIVA was founded 10 years ago by biologists and today operates in various formats to achieve the goal of marine habitat conservation. They conduct research from a fixed observation point on land to characterize the presence and behavior of different species of cetaceans, and they also engage in environmental education, both in the public schools of Ilhabela and at events.

Additionally, VIVA has partnerships with several Brazilian universities, hosting students for internships and volunteer opportunities, thus opening doors for technical and academic experience to kickstart a scientific career. They also offer scholarships for women students at the beginning of their academic careers.

The headquarters of VIVA in Borrifos houses a wide diversity of animals, as it is located in the southern part of the island, bordering the Ilhabela State Park. More than 100 bird species have been recorded there, which led to the creation of VIVAves and a bird catalog to study these incredible species found in the area.

Recommendations for all tours:

  • Insect repellent
  • Sunscreen
  • Clothing with discreet, long sleeves and pants
  • Closed and comfortable footwear
  • Preferably, choose tours with insurance. Provides more peace of mind for the user.
Ilhabela Birdwatching