MaresiasTur Blog
Boat tours to the islands, Atlantic Forest hikes, rappelling, diving and everything you need to know before you arrive on the north coast of São Paulo.
Maresias guides
Fewer crowds, pleasant days for hiking and rappelling, and boat trips to the islands without the high-season rush: why Maresias is worth visiting in spring, what to do and where to stay.
01/10/2026 · 6 min read
Itineraries and where to stay
A weekend with a hike to the waterfall, a boat tour through the South Coast islands, and a bike ride through the village or Calhetas Beach, plus where to stay and how much the tours cost.
6 min read
Itineraries and where to stay
Three days with a boat trip to Ilha do Montão de Trigo, a hike to the waterfall, rappelling, and Calhetas Beach, with tips on where to stay and the cost of the tours.
6 min read
Itineraries and where to stay
Five days with a waterfall, South Coast islands, bike or Calhetas, rappelling, a day in Ilhabela, and a try-diving dive at Ilha das Cabras, with where to stay along each stretch.
6 min read
Itineraries and where to stay
Three itineraries for families, with the right tours for every age, partner accommodations that welcome children and pets, and how much the tours cost.
7 min read
Itineraries and where to stay
A private boat at sunset, a nearly deserted beach at Calhetas, rappelling with a view, and Ilhabela by boat: three itineraries for two, with partner accommodations and costs.
6 min read
Itineraries and where to stay
2, 3 and 5-day itineraries for solo travelers, with group tours to meet people, safety tips, getting around without Uber, and where to stay.
5 min read
Itineraries and where to stay
A 96-meter rappel, the Adventure Package, and a private boat split by the group: three itineraries for groups of friends, with the cost per person and where to stay as a group.
5 min read
Itineraries and where to stay
Exclusive boat with music, drinks and decorations, morning rappelling and accommodations for the group: how to plan a 2- or 3-day bachelorette/bachelor party in Maresias.
7 min read
Itineraries and where to stay
Adults-only hotel for couples in Toque Toque Grande, sunset private boat tour, a full day by boat to Ilhabela, and Calhetas Beach: 3- and 5-day itineraries.
6 min read
Itineraries and where to stay
Ocean-view venues for the ceremony, accommodations for guests, and boat and hiking tours in the days before and after: the wedding experience guide for the region.
6 min read
Boat tours
Where the Ilha das Couves is on the South Coast of São Sebastião, what official documents say about it, how to get there by speedboat from Maresias, and why not to confuse it with the island of the same name in Ubatuba.
5 min read
Boat tours
Ruins on top, a beach formed by rock blasting, and an official dive site: what's known about Ilha dos Gatos, on the South Coast of São Sebastião, and how to get there by boat.
5 min read
Boat tours
Despite the plural name ("As Ilhas" means "The Islands" in Portuguese), it's a single island on the South Coast of São Sebastião. What the official management plan says about it and how it fits into the 3 Islands boat tour and the Montão de Trigo route.
6 min read
Boat tours
The most remote island on the South Coast of São Sebastião covers 130 hectares (321 acres) and is home to a traditional caiçara community. See what official sources say and how to visit respectfully by boat.
4 min read
Boat tours
Ilha das Couves, Ilha dos Gatos, Montão de Trigo and As Ilhas: where each one is, what the APA Marinha do Litoral Norte protects, and which boat tour to choose from Maresias.
4 min read
Boat tours
Reference price tables for boat and speedboat tours from Maresias and Boiçucanga: shared tours per person, private boats per group, what's included, and how to pay.
4 min read
Boat tours
Boiçucanga, next to Maresias, is the departure point for most of MaresiasTur's boat tours. See which routes leave from there, how to get there, and what to bring.
5 min read
Boat tours
The islands of São Sebastião's South Coast have stops for swimming with a mask and snorkel. Where to go, which fish show up along the rocky shores, what to bring, and how to behave in the water.
6 min read
Boat tours
Anyone who tends to get seasick can still enjoy the boat tour with a few simple choices: where to sit onboard, looking at the horizon, light food, and medical guidance when needed.
5 min read
Boat tours
Ferry or boat to get from Maresias to Ilhabela? An honest comparison of time, cost, and experience, with the official fares for the crossing and Ilhabela's fee.
6 min read
Hikes, rappelling and nature
Three hours pedaling through the village, past the murals of Beco da Mulher Maravilha (Wonder Woman Alley), and on to the natural pool at Poço do Caetano. Route, difficulty, price, and what to bring.
5 min read
Hikes, rappelling and nature
Cachoeira das 7 Quedas, Cachoeira de Calhetas, and Poço do Caetano: how to get to each one, the effort involved, what sets them apart, and how much it costs to go with a guide.
4 min read
Hikes, rappelling and nature
From the easy trail to Cachoeira das 7 Quedas to the Trilha dos Mirantes with its 10-meter rappel: the map of guided hikes in Maresias, with level, duration, and price.
5 min read
Hikes, rappelling and nature
How the descent works, what the guide teaches beforehand, what to wear, and why the 10-meter Lookout Rappelling is the starting point before the 96 meters of Calhetas.
4 min read
Hikes, rappelling and nature
The São Sebastião Unit covers about 70% of the municipality. What the park protects, which trails it lists, how to book the free visit, and where Cachoeira das 7 Quedas fits in.
5 min read
Hikes, rappelling and nature
Bromeliads, palm trees, waterfalls, and birdsong: where to see the forest up close in Maresias, what it protects, and how to walk without leaving a trace.
5 min read
Useful information
Schedule, fares, booking, and line tips for the ferry between São Sebastião and Ilhabela, including the island's environmental fee and the option of going by boat.
6 min read
Useful information
Confirmed emergency phone numbers, the Costa Sul's 24-hour ER, and practical safety tips for hiking and boat tours in Maresias.
5 min read
Useful information
How to check CETESB's weekly bulletin, what the classifications and flags mean, and which points are monitored in Maresias and neighboring beaches.
4 min read
Useful information
Where to find the official tide table for the Port of São Sebastião, how to read high and low tide, and where to check rough-sea warnings before a boat tour.
4 min read
Useful information
When it rains most in Maresias, which tours work with overcast weather, and cultural options in São Sebastião and Ilhabela for rainy days.
5 min read
MaresiasTur
In 2016, an extreme sports athlete and a tour guide created a specialized adventure tourism agency in Maresias. Learn about MaresiasTur's journey.
4 min read
Maresias guides
Boat tours to the islands, hikes to waterfalls, rappelling with ocean views, diving and a BikeTour through the village. A guide with duration, departure and prices for each tour, plus a 3-day itinerary.
6 min read
Useful information
Driving routes from São Paulo, local transportation without apps, tour meeting points, the ferry to Ilhabela, and where to find healthcare on the South Coast.
5 min read
Maresias guides
Compare price per person, schedules and comfort with real pricing tables for the South Coast island tours, and find out from how many people a private boat pays off.
4 min read
Maresias guides
Checklists for each type of tour in Maresias, with what's already included, what to bring from home, how to prevent seasickness, and what to leave behind.
4 min read
Maresias guides
The calmest tours for families, the age brackets used across all tours, which activities have age restrictions, and tips to make the day go smoothly with little ones.
6 min read
Useful information
When it rains most, what the ocean is like in summer and winter, what changes in high and low season, and what happens if weather cancels the tour.
4 min read
Maresias guides
Cadastur, licensed guides, insurance, a licensed boat captain and clear cancellation rules. What to check before booking an adventure or boat tour.
4 min read
Sustainability
An official partner of São Sebastião City Hall's E-LIXO program, MaresiasTur trades e-waste for native Atlantic Forest saplings and has been planting every month for more than 5 years: over 2,000 saplings so far.
5 min read
Boat tours
Three hours by boat along the South Coast of São Sebastião, two swim stops in clear water, and the best value for visiting the islands from near Maresias.
5 min read
Boat tours
Four hours by boat through the 4 islands of the South Coast — Montão de Trigo, Ilha das Couves, Ilha dos Gatos, and As Ilhas — boarding directly at Maresias Beach.
4 min read
Boat tours
A boat just for your group, up to 14 people, through the 3 Islands of the South Coast: Ilha das Couves, Ilha dos Gatos, and As Ilhas, with a sunset departure option.
4 min read
Boat tours
About 4 hours on a boat just for your group, up to 10 people, through the 4 islands of the South Coast: Montão de Trigo, Ilha das Couves, Ilha dos Gatos, and As Ilhas.
4 min read
Boat tours
Six hours on an exclusive boat passing the beaches of São Sebastião on the way to Ilhabela, with lunch at Praia do Viana and a dive stop at Calhetas on the way back.
4 min read
Hikes, rappelling and nature
A 2 km (1.2 mi) walk through the Atlantic Forest to a waterfall for swimming, with a certified ecotourism guide. What it's like, how long it takes, and what to bring.
4 min read
Hikes, rappelling and nature
A 10-meter (33 ft) descent, with up to two runs, on the Trilha dos Mirantes, between Paúba and Maresias. How it works, safety, times, and what to wear.
4 min read
Hikes, rappelling and nature
A 96-meter (315 ft) descent beside the waterfall, with certified adventure tourism guides. What it's like, who it's for, and how to prepare.
4 min read
Hikes, rappelling and nature
White sand, rock formations, and the feel of a hidden beach. About 3 hours with round-trip transportation departing from the agency and a certified local guide.
4 min read
Diving
Diving with a tank and no prior course, with a PADI instructor by your side, at about 6 meters deep. Minimum age, preparation, and what to expect.
4 min read
Hikes, rappelling and nature
A hike to the 7 Quedas Waterfall with a swim in the pool in the morning, and Lookout Rappelling at 2 pm. The hour-by-hour itinerary of a full day of adventure, for R$ 150.
4 min read
