THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
A private photo-and-video tour to Lopes Mendes on Ilha Grande that pairs a short coastal hike with drone and underwater filming. Ideal for travelers who want curated shots, local context, and calm golden-hour light.
A private photo-and-video tour to Lopes Mendes on Ilha Grande that pairs a short coastal hike with drone and underwater filming. Ideal for travelers who want curated shots, local context, and calm golden-hour light.
A speedboat parts the Atlantic hush and drops you off at the base of a short forest trail; the low surf ahead reveals a sweeping ribbon of white sand — Lopes Mendes — waiting for the lens. On this private half-day photo tour you move deliberately: a 30-minute seaside hike, a focused beach shoot, drone lifts above breakers, and brief underwater frames that catch clear reef edges and playful fish.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by JOHNNY CAMBUY · Vila do Abraão, Rio de Janeiro
A speedboat parts the Atlantic hush and drops you off at the base of a short forest trail; the low surf ahead reveals a sweeping ribbon of white sand — Lopes Mendes — waiting for the lens. On this private half-day photo tour you move deliberately: a 30-minute seaside hike, a focused beach shoot, drone lifts above breakers, and brief underwater frames that catch clear reef edges and playful fish.
Ilha Grande sits within the Serra do Mar coastal range and the island’s shoreline alternates between sheer, rocky headlands and long, open beaches formed from river-fed sands. The island’s Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Forest) hosts dense palms, bromeliads and howler monkeys that call from the canopy while local fishermen and former prison sites around the island mark a layered cultural history — from 19th-century settlements to its later use as a penal outpost and, more recently, as a protected ecotourism destination.
Expect mixed terrain: compact forest paths, soft sand, and slippery rocks near tide lines. The hike itself is short but requires steady footing; the beach shoot works best in the golden hours when light slants across waves. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a dry bag, and a lightweight tripod if you want steady water shots. Plan on about 7 hours for pickup, transfers, and return to Vila do Abraão; weather can change quickly so mornings are less crowded and more photogenic. Guides handle permits and drone etiquette, but leave room for tide windows and local wildlife encounters — the island rewards patience and respect.
moderate.
7 hours.
Moderate fitness — ability to hike ~30 minutes on uneven trail and manage short beach walks.
The hike to Lopes Mendes from the landing is about 30 minutes on a well-marked but uneven forest path.
Guides follow local drone etiquette and will fly in permitted areas; conditions such as wind and crowding affect whether a launch is possible.
Yes — the tour includes underwater photos/videos where conditions are calm; bring a waterproof camera or use guide-provided mounts.
The tour typically departs by boat from Vila do Abraão and returns there after the beach shoot and short hike.
Ilha Grande carried prisons and quarantine stations in the 19th and 20th centuries; Abraão evolved from a fishing village into the island’s main visitor hub.
The island is part of a protected area; stay on trails, use reef-safe products, and avoid disturbing nesting or feeding wildlife to reduce impact.
JOHNNY CAMBUY operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A speedboat parts the Atlantic hush and drops you off at the base of a short forest trail; the low surf ahead reveals a sweeping ribbon of white sand — Lopes Mendes — waiting for the lens. On this private half-day photo tour you move deliberately: a 30-minute seaside hike, a focused beach shoot, drone lifts above breakers, and brief underwater frames that catch clear reef edges and playful fish.
A speedboat parts the Atlantic hush and drops you off at the base of a short forest trail; the low surf ahead reveals a sweeping ribbon of white sand — Lopes Mendes — waiting for the lens. On this private half-day photo tour you move deliberately: a 30-minute seaside hike, a focused beach shoot, drone lifts above breakers, and brief underwater frames that catch clear reef edges and playful fish.
Ilha Grande sits within the Serra do Mar coastal range and the island’s shoreline alternates between sheer, rocky headlands and long, open beaches formed from river-fed sands. The island’s Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Forest) hosts dense palms, bromeliads and howler monkeys that call from the canopy while local fishermen and former prison sites around the island mark a layered cultural history — from 19th-century settlements to its later use as a penal outpost and, more recently, as a protected ecotourism destination.
Expect mixed terrain: compact forest paths, soft sand, and slippery rocks near tide lines. The hike itself is short but requires steady footing; the beach shoot works best in the golden hours when light slants across waves. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a dry bag, and a lightweight tripod if you want steady water shots. Plan on about 7 hours for pickup, transfers, and return to Vila do Abraão; weather can change quickly so mornings are less crowded and more photogenic. Guides handle permits and drone etiquette, but leave room for tide windows and local wildlife encounters — the island rewards patience and respect.