THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Board a traditional escuna at Salvador’s Nautical Terminal and cross the Bay of All Saints to Ilha dos Frades for five hours of warm water, snorkeling, and a chapel with a panoramic view. This eight-hour day sail blends easy boat travel with simple island pleasures—bring cash for island fees and reef-safe sunscreen.
Board a traditional escuna at Salvador’s Nautical Terminal and cross the Bay of All Saints to Ilha dos Frades for five hours of warm water, snorkeling, and a chapel with a panoramic view. This eight-hour day sail blends easy boat travel with simple island pleasures—bring cash for island fees and reef-safe sunscreen.
You step off the cobblestones of Salvador’s Nautical Terminal with salt on your lips and the city already shrinking behind a spray of sea. The escuna—an open-deck schooner with wooden benches and a low boom—slides away from the Fort of São Marcelo, and the skyline of Pelourinho, the Bonfim church cross on the peninsula, and the bulwarks of Monte Serrat recede into the curved mouth of Baía de Todos os Santos.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by De Boa Turismo · Salvador, Bahia
You step off the cobblestones of Salvador’s Nautical Terminal with salt on your lips and the city already shrinking behind a spray of sea. The escuna—an open-deck schooner with wooden benches and a low boom—slides away from the Fort of São Marcelo, and the skyline of Pelourinho, the Bonfim church cross on the peninsula, and the bulwarks of Monte Serrat recede into the curved mouth of Baía de Todos os Santos.
The transit itself is part of the charm: about an hour and forty minutes of southward crossing through calm, warm water. The schooner navigates a shallow bay carved from Pleistocene terraces and coral shelves; the geology softens into broad sandbars and sheltered coves as you approach Ilha dos Frades. On arrival the island opens into a short crescent of sand and clear, green-blue water that invites an easy, languid day—five hours on the beach for swimming, snorkel optional, and a quiet climb to the chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe where the view is straightforward and expansive.
Ilha dos Frades carries layers of history. Once a strategic waypoint in colonial shipping routes, the island’s tiny chapel and footpaths speak to centuries of maritime devotion and local fishing communities. Today the island balances tourism with everyday life: a handful of very small vendors, fishermen tending nets, and traces of colonial-era masonry.
Practical details matter on this trip. Departure is at 08:30 from the Nautical Terminal—arrive 60 minutes early to check in. The full program runs about eight hours round-trip. The tour price excludes the Salvador terminal boarding fee and the island’s entry fee (typically paid in cash on arrival), plus any lunch, drinks or snorkel equipment. The vessel provides a light fruit snack and a guide; bring cash for extras and confirm ticket cutoff times—bookings close 12 hours before departure.
Prepare for tropical sun and small-boat motion: reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, a waterproof bag, and sandals that can handle hot sand and a short climb are the essentials. If you plan to snorkel, bring your own mask to avoid sharing equipment. The island’s waters are calm most days, but keep an eye on weather updates—operators cancel for rough seas.
Conservation is visible in small ways: signs against coral collecting, requests to limit plastic, and simple advice to respect local fishermen. For a single-day escape from Salvador’s streets, the schooner to Ilha dos Frades delivers coral-tinted water, a slow rhythm of island time, and a clear line between city and sea—perfect for a traveler who wants an uncomplicated, sun-forward day on the bay.
easy.
8 hours.
Suitable for travelers with basic mobility—requires boarding a small boat and walking on sand and stairs to the chapel.
No. The island entrance fee is paid separately on arrival (cash typically required). The tour includes a guide and a small fruit snack only.
Boarding is at 08:30; arrive at the Nautical Terminal 60 minutes before departure to check in and complete boarding formalities.
Yes. Infants must sit on an adult’s lap. The excursion is family-friendly but requires attention to sun protection and water safety.
Snorkel gear is optional and usually not included—bringing your own mask is recommended for hygiene and fit; confirm availability with the operator.
The operator may cancel for rough seas or unsafe conditions; the cancellation policy allows a full refund if canceled at least 24 hours prior or if the operator cancels due to weather.
There are small local vendors and optional lunches on the island, but options are limited—bring extra cash and snacks if you prefer specific choices.
The island served as a colonial waypoint within the Bay of All Saints; the chapel reflects maritime devotion from Portuguese-era settlement.
Visitors are asked to avoid removing coral, minimize single-use plastics, and support local vendors to keep tourism sustainable.
De Boa Turismo operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You step off the cobblestones of Salvador’s Nautical Terminal with salt on your lips and the city already shrinking behind a spray of sea. The escuna—an open-deck schooner with wooden benches and a low boom—slides away from the Fort of São Marcelo, and the skyline of Pelourinho, the Bonfim church cross on the peninsula, and the bulwarks of Monte Serrat recede into the curved mouth of Baía de Todos os Santos.
You step off the cobblestones of Salvador’s Nautical Terminal with salt on your lips and the city already shrinking behind a spray of sea. The escuna—an open-deck schooner with wooden benches and a low boom—slides away from the Fort of São Marcelo, and the skyline of Pelourinho, the Bonfim church cross on the peninsula, and the bulwarks of Monte Serrat recede into the curved mouth of Baía de Todos os Santos.
The transit itself is part of the charm: about an hour and forty minutes of southward crossing through calm, warm water. The schooner navigates a shallow bay carved from Pleistocene terraces and coral shelves; the geology softens into broad sandbars and sheltered coves as you approach Ilha dos Frades. On arrival the island opens into a short crescent of sand and clear, green-blue water that invites an easy, languid day—five hours on the beach for swimming, snorkel optional, and a quiet climb to the chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe where the view is straightforward and expansive.
Ilha dos Frades carries layers of history. Once a strategic waypoint in colonial shipping routes, the island’s tiny chapel and footpaths speak to centuries of maritime devotion and local fishing communities. Today the island balances tourism with everyday life: a handful of very small vendors, fishermen tending nets, and traces of colonial-era masonry.
Practical details matter on this trip. Departure is at 08:30 from the Nautical Terminal—arrive 60 minutes early to check in. The full program runs about eight hours round-trip. The tour price excludes the Salvador terminal boarding fee and the island’s entry fee (typically paid in cash on arrival), plus any lunch, drinks or snorkel equipment. The vessel provides a light fruit snack and a guide; bring cash for extras and confirm ticket cutoff times—bookings close 12 hours before departure.
Prepare for tropical sun and small-boat motion: reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, a waterproof bag, and sandals that can handle hot sand and a short climb are the essentials. If you plan to snorkel, bring your own mask to avoid sharing equipment. The island’s waters are calm most days, but keep an eye on weather updates—operators cancel for rough seas.
Conservation is visible in small ways: signs against coral collecting, requests to limit plastic, and simple advice to respect local fishermen. For a single-day escape from Salvador’s streets, the schooner to Ilha dos Frades delivers coral-tinted water, a slow rhythm of island time, and a clear line between city and sea—perfect for a traveler who wants an uncomplicated, sun-forward day on the bay.