Brazil · April 5 - 12 2025

Brazil Flotilla - Paraty

Sail the Beautiful Bay of Ilha Grande: Nature, Adventure, and Coastal Wonders Await!

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Overview

Brazil is a top bucket-list destination for many, but its sailing culture remains largely undiscovered by North American sailors. While iconic spots like Sugarloaf Mountain, Ipanema Beach, and Christ the Redeemer are often the main attractions, there are hidden gems waiting to be explored by sea. One such gem is the colonial city of Paraty, nestled between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in the Bay of Ilha Grande. Our adventurous team at Med Sailing Adventures couldn’t resist checking it out, and we’re excited to share our discoveries with you on our blog. Paraty is a beautifully preserved Portuguese colonial town, frozen in time from the 1500s to the 1800s, offering a rich history, captivating culture, and – of course – delicious cuisine, a highlight of every Med Sailing Adventures trip.

Itinerary

Let’s get together in Old Paraty to enjoy a delicious dinner with some nicest libations. You can’t really go wrong with a good, local Cachaça – it’s the national elixir of the Gods and the main ingredient for the famous Caipirinha and other amazing cocktails.

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ArrivingAchorage

SATURDAY

Transfer to the marina and berth assignments. Skippers meeting with check-out of the yachts. Admiral Mila will lead the provisions raiding party. Departure between 15:00 and 17:00 to the anchorage of Ilha da Cotia, where we will spend the night. Dinner on board after some swimming in the crystalline waters. All our boats are equipped with grills. Let’s raft up and have a potluck BBQ?

IlhaDoCedroFood

SUNDAY

Breakfast on board. Hopefully the local fishing guy will stop by in his dugout canoe to sell us some fresh fish or oysters. After breakfast, we sail to Ilha do Cedro for a late lunch of freshly caught fish and shrimps, accompanied by a few Caipirinhas or local beers, at the al fresco beach Restaurante Coqueiro. It does not get any more authentic than this. Later in the afternoon, we'll be doing some more sailing among the small islands. Then we'll anchor amidst the local fishing boats in front of the rustic fishing village of Tarituba, located in the bay of Saco de Tarituba. There is a small eatery on the shore called Quiosque Da Praia but you have also the option of having dinner on board. We spend the night at anchor. 

dinnerout

MONDAY

Breakfast on board, after which we continue our Brazilian Odyssey along the coast to the Marina of Porto Frade with swimming and beach stops along the way. There are no transient docks available there and we will anchor for the night. We can either dinghy in or have the water taxi of the marina shuttle us to shore for dinner at one of the resort’s restaurants. There are also a few stores available where we can do some provisioning.

Monolit

TUESDAY

We leave Porto Frade after breakfast and have a short trip to nearby Ilha de Paqueta. We drop the anchor there, swim and dinghy ashore and hike up the huge monolith rock from where we have a spectacular view of the surrounding islands. If the floating bar is open, we can have lunch and drinks in the beautiful bay. After lunch, we head to nearby Ilha Da Gipoia for a visit of the historic small church and drinks at one of the beach bars and some more swimming. Dinner on board or, if it is open, at Canto Das Canoas in Praia Vitorino. We will spend the night at anchor. 

IlhasBotinas

WEDNESDAY

Let’s weigh anchor and head for the two small Ilhas Botinas rocks for some snorkeling that will work up an appetite. Plenty of colorful fish and the occasional sea turtle have made Ilhas Botinas a favorite tourist attraction. By mid-morning, the tour boats from nearby Angra Dos Reis arrive and the place becomes very busy. Time to go to our next destination, Tapera or Freguesia de Santana on Ilha Grande. Depending on the wind direction, we will choose one of them for our overnight anchoring. Dinner on shore. 

Sacodemamangua

THURSDAY

Time to head back towards Paraty but we will pay a visit to the large fjord-like bay of Saco de Mamangua with its smaller version of the Sugar Loaf Mountain near Paraty Mirim, a smaller village that was used a quarantine port in the colonial times. Depending on the weather, we can visit Paraty Mirim with its historic church and a few bars near the beach. Late lunch at Dadico’s restaurant in Saco de Mamangua, after which we will spend our last night before returning to the base in one of the nearby anchorages, like Saco de Velha, Praia Vermelha, Praia de Engenho or Praia Jurumirim. 

Monohullreturning

FRIDAY

That’s all Folks! Our last day and we must return to our base in Paraty. But let’s relax and explore the anchorages or do some light sailing before returning to the marina in the afternoon. After checking back in, a nice warm shower awaits us at the marina followed by a last dinner in its excellent restaurant. We can spend the night on board, or you can opt to go back to one of the pousada hotels in old Paraty.

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SATURDAY

As the voyage ends, it's time to say 'Until Next Time.' Go home with new friends and cherished memories, and we look forward to welcoming you back on your next adventure.

Disembark by 9:00 am

Hosts

Capt. Jean and 'Admiral' Mila have been organizing sailing flotillas with the American Sailing Association since 2009, introducing both sailors and non-sailors to captivating destinations in the Mediterranean and Seychelles.

With their deep knowledge of the sailing waters, they take participants to hidden gems not typically known to tourists. Safety is their top priority, ensuring that every participant returns home with unforgettable memories and a sense of adventure.

Jean, a native of Belgium, holds a USCG 100T Master License and teaches ASA 101, 103, 104, 114, 105, and 118 in both Florida and the Mediterranean.

Mila, originally from Peru, is the Admiral of the flotilla and the mastermind behind the organization. As a US Coast Guard captain with a six-pack license, she commands the respect of her crew while maintaining a dynamic leadership style that keeps everything running smoothly.

Together, they operate Whitecaps Sailing, an American Sailing Association-certified school based in Southwest Florida.

Capt. Jean and

Capt. Jean and "Admiral" Mila

Yachts

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Multihull Certification ASA 114

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Brazil Flotilla - Paraty

Brazil · April 5 - 12 2025 · 7 nights

FROM$2,190.00/pp

BOOK NOW