Salvador Islands Boat Trip: Itaparica & Frades Day Cruise with Lunch
Difficulty
easy
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; involves short walks on sand and stepping on/off the boat.
Overview
Spend a full day on a traditional schooner exploring All Saints Bay—swim in clear coves, visit Ilha dos Frades and historic Itaparica, and savor a Bahian lunch on the water. This 8-hour cruise blends coastal scenery with local culture and easygoing island time.
Salvador Islands Boat Trip: Itaparica & Frades Day Cruise with Lunch
Select participants and date
The schooner slips away from Salvador's nautical terminal as the city lets out a last horn and the water widens into Baía de Todos os Santos. Salt and diesel mix in the air, gulls wheel over a low orange sun, and the white curve of Forte de São Marcelo recedes like a punctuation mark. For the next eight hours the sea sets the pace: unhurried sprints across glassy channels, long drifts past small islands, and shallow anchorings where you can step off the boat into warm Atlantic water.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring reef-safe sunscreen
Protect skin and local reefs—choose biodegradable sunscreen and reapply after swimming.
Pack water shoes
Many island landings are rocky; water shoes make beach entries and tidal pools safer and more comfortable.
Carry small cash
An environmental tax (BRL 10) is collected on Ilha dos Frades and some vendors accept cash only.
Stow electronics in a dry bag
Waves and boat spray are inevitable—protect phones and cameras in a waterproof bag.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Brazilian terns and frigatebirds
- Occasional bottlenose dolphins in the bay
History
All Saints Bay was a strategic colonial harbor; forts and churches on the islands reflect Portuguese and Afro-Brazilian history.
Conservation
The islands face pressures from tourism and runoff; the local environmental fee and responsible boating practices help fund preservation.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Salvador
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Dry bag
Keeps electronics and documents safe during sea spray and beach stops.
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protects skin and the bay’s coral and marine life.
summer specific
Water shoes
Useful for rocky landings and slippery tidal pools.
summer specific
Light windbreaker
A thin jacket is helpful when the afternoon breeze intensifies on the open deck.
winter specific