3-Day Itinerary in Maresias: Islands, Waterfall, and Rappelling
By MaresiasTur · · 6 min read
Quick answer
A 3-day itinerary in Maresias can include the boat to Ilha do Montão de Trigo and other South Coast islands on the first day, a hike to Cachoeira das 7 Quedas and rappelling on the second, and the EcoTour at Calhetas Beach or the BikeTour through the village on the third.
With a 3-day itinerary in Maresias, you can dedicate a full day to the sea, another to the forest, and still close out the trip with a nearly deserted beach. It's the format of a long weekend: a boat tour through the South Coast islands of São Sebastião, a hike to the waterfall with rappelling in the afternoon, and, on the last day, the EcoTour at Calhetas or the BikeTour through the village.
It's best to arrive the night before, because the first day's boat departs at 9 AM from Maresias Beach. Below are the day-by-day schedule, variations by traveler profile, where to stay with a discount coupon, and how much the tours cost.
Day 1: boat to Ilha do Montão de Trigo
- Morning: shared boat tour departing at 9 AM from Maresias Beach, lasting about 4 hours. The route passes Ilha do Montão de Trigo, Ilha das Couves, Ilha dos Gatos, and As Ilhas, with stops for swimming in calm waters. A licensed boat captain and safety gear are included; snorkel masks and pool noodles are not, so bring your own.
- Afternoon: an unhurried lunch and rest at Maresias Beach or the guesthouse pool.
- Evening: dinner at Restaurante Ravenala, at Pousada Porto Mare, open to the public, or in the village.
The boat depends on a minimum quorum of 8 people. If it isn't reached, or if the tide is unfavorable, MaresiasTur offers rescheduling or a full refund. To learn about the island beforehand, read the Ilha do Montão de Trigo guide.
Day 2: waterfall in the morning, rappelling in the afternoon
- Morning: eco-hike to Cachoeira das 7 Quedas, at 9 AM: 2 km round trip, easy level, preserved Atlantic Forest, certified ecotourism guide, and a swim under the waterfall at the end.
- Afternoon: rappelling, departing at 2 PM. There are two options:
- Lookout Rappelling: 10 meters high, with up to 2 descents, on the Trilha dos Mirantes (Lookout Trail), 2 km and easy level, between Paúba and Maresias. Includes certified guide, equipment, and individual insurance, and runs with a minimum of 2 people.
- Calhetas Rappelling: 96 meters at the Cachoeira de Calhetas (Calhetas Waterfall), with certified Adventure Tourism guides, departing from the agency, at Av. Francisco Loup, 500, with all equipment included. It's easy to learn and recommended for those not afraid of heights.
- Evening: dinner at La Trattoria, the Villa'l Mare Hotel's restaurant, with homemade pasta and sauces from family recipes.
The minimum age and weight for both rappelling options aren't published: confirm with the team before booking. Those rappelling for the first time can find a step-by-step guide at rappelling for the first time.
Day 3: Calhetas Beach or bike through the village
- Morning: departure at 9 AM from the agency for one of these options, both lasting about 3 hours:
- EcoTour at Calhetas Beach: round-trip transport departing from the agency and a certified local guide, to a nearly deserted beach with white sand and rock formations.
- BikeTour 360º: easy cycling through the village, with the Beco da Mulher Maravilha and a swim at Poço do Caetano, on the Rio Maresias. For ages 11 and up.
- Afternoon: lunch, one last dip in the sea, and the trip home.
- Evening: those with one more night can watch the sunset on the beach.
An alternative for the second day is the Maresias Adventure Package, from 9 AM to 3 PM, which combines the BikeTour, a swim at Poço do Caetano, and the Lookout Rappelling. Like the BikeTour, it doesn't accept babies or children up to age 10. See how it works in the post about the Maresias Adventure Package.
How to adapt the 3 days for each traveler profile?
- Family with small children: swap the Montão boat for the Shared Boat Tour The 3 Islands, which includes pool noodles, and the afternoon rappelling for the EcoTour at Calhetas, at 2 PM. On the third day, stick with the hike or the EcoTour, never the BikeTour. Full itinerary at Maresias with the family.
- Couple: the Private Boat Tour The 3 Islands, on the sunset departure, works well as a replacement for the shared boat. See couple's trip to Maresias.
- Friends: the Private Boat Tour to Montão de Trigo carries up to 10 people, priced per boat, and the Calhetas Rappelling is the adventure highlight. More at trip with friends to Maresias.
- Solo traveler: the shared tours are a good way to meet people. See traveling solo to Maresias.
Only have a weekend? Use the 2-day Maresias itinerary. With more time, the 5-day itinerary includes Ilhabela and diving.
Where to stay in Maresias for 3 days?
The guesthouses in this itinerary are MaresiasTur partners. All are in Maresias, a short distance from the beach.
- Pousada Villa Blu Maresias: on Av. Guanabara, 196, about an 11-minute walk from the beach. Has 4 types of accommodation, including suites and flats, a pool heated year-round between 26 and 28 °C (79–82 °F), a sauna, a lookout, parking, and full breakfast. The flats work well for groups of friends; confirm capacity with the guesthouse.
- Pousada Porto Mare: about 150 m from the beach, with a heated saltwater pool and an integrated jacuzzi. Has couples' suites, some with a hot tub, and suites with an extra bed for families or groups. Accepts small pets.
- Villa'l Mare Hotel: 44 air-conditioned rooms, breakfast included, an adult and kids' pool, a barbecue area, a pool table, and a free shuttle van that takes guests to any point in Maresias.
- Pousada Toca da Praia: pet friendly with no size or breed restrictions, about 450 m from the beach, with a solar-heated pool. Doesn't have its own restaurant.
Special discount coupon: MARESIASTUR. When booking directly with this itinerary's partner guesthouses, mention the coupon MARESIASTUR for a special discount. Conditions, dates, and availability are set by each guesthouse.
How much do the tours cost over 3 days?
| Tour | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Shared Boat Tour Montão de Trigo + 3 Islands | R$ 250 |
| Cachoeira das 7 Quedas hike | R$ 70 |
| Lookout Rappelling | R$ 120 |
| EcoTour at Calhetas Beach | R$ 150 |
| Base itinerary total | R$ 590 |
| With Calhetas Rappelling (R$ 300) instead of Lookout | R$ 770 |
| With BikeTour (R$ 90) instead of EcoTour | R$ 530 |
These are September 2026 reference prices; the current price appears on the tour's page. Open dates and the price by age bracket appear on the page for the shared boat to Montão de Trigo and the 3 Islands and on the other tours' pages. Food, drinks, and transport to the location are not included.
How to get around, and what to do if it rains?
Uber and 99 don't operate in São Sebastião. The Montão boat departs right from Maresias Beach; the Calhetas Rappelling, the EcoTour, and the BikeTour depart from the agency, and the EcoTour already includes transport to the beach. For everything else, count on a car, local taxi, or a ride, and arrive 30 minutes early. More tips at how to get to Maresias and get around.
The boat and rappelling depend on safe conditions. If a departure is canceled for weather, maritime safety, or operational reasons, the traveler chooses between rescheduling at no cost or getting a full refund. On a 3-day trip, scheduling the boat for the first day leaves room to reschedule within the stay itself. For overcast days, see what to do in Maresias when it rains.
Frequently asked questions
- What to do in Maresias in 3 days?
- One day at sea, with the boat to Ilha do Montão de Trigo and other South Coast islands; one day in the forest, with the Cachoeira das 7 Quedas hike and rappelling; and one lighter day, with the EcoTour at Calhetas or the BikeTour through the village.
- Where does the boat to Ilha do Montão de Trigo depart from?
- The shared boat departs at 9 AM from Maresias Beach and the tour lasts about 4 hours, with stops for swimming. Snorkel masks and pool noodles are not included.
- Which rappelling to choose: Lookout or Calhetas?
- The Lookout Rappelling is 10 meters, up to 2 descents, with an ocean view — good for a first time. The Calhetas Rappelling is 96 meters at a waterfall and is recommended for those not afraid of heights. Confirm minimum age and weight with the team.
- Does this itinerary work for traveling with children?
- With adjustments: swap the Montão boat for the Shared Boat Tour The 3 Islands, which includes pool noodles, and choose the EcoTour at Calhetas. The BikeTour and the Adventure Package don't accept babies or children up to age 10.
- Which partner guesthouse is best for a group of friends?
- The flats at Pousada Villa Blu and the suites with an extra bed at Pousada Porto Mare work well for groups; confirm capacity with the guesthouse. Villa'l Mare has a pool table, a barbecue area, and a shuttle van to the beach.
