5-Day Itinerary in Maresias, South Coast, and Ilhabela
By MaresiasTur · · 6 min read
Quick answer
A 5-day itinerary in Maresias combines a hike to the waterfall, a boat through the South Coast islands, bike or Calhetas Beach with rappelling, a day in Ilhabela by boat or ferry, and, at the end, a try-diving dive at Ilha das Cabras, departing from Varadouro, in São Sebastião.
A 5-day itinerary in Maresias gives you time to leave the village and explore the South Coast of São Sebastião and Ilhabela. The idea is to spend the first three days in Maresias, with a waterfall, islands, and land-based adventure, and dedicate the last two to Ilhabela and the try-diving dive at Ilha das Cabras, which departs from downtown São Sebastião.
So it's worth thinking about lodging in two parts: a base in Maresias and, if it makes sense, the last nights closer to downtown. Below are the day-by-day schedule, variations by traveler profile, where to stay with a discount coupon, and how much the tours cost.
Days 1 to 3: waterfall, islands, and adventure in Maresias
Day 1: arrival and waterfall
- Morning: arrival and first beach time in Maresias.
- Afternoon: eco-hike to Cachoeira das 7 Quedas, at 2 PM: 2 km round trip, easy level, with a certified ecotourism guide and a swim under the waterfall.
- Evening: sunset on the beach and dinner in the village.
Day 2: South Coast islands
- Morning: shared boat at 9 AM from Maresias Beach, lasting about 4 hours, through Ilha do Montão de Trigo, Ilha das Couves, Ilha dos Gatos, and As Ilhas. Another option is the Shared Boat Tour The 3 Islands, which departs from Boiçucanga Beach at 9 AM, 12 PM, or 3 PM and includes pool noodles.
- Afternoon: rest at the guesthouse pool.
- Evening: dinner at Restaurante Ravenala, at Pousada Porto Mare, open to the public.
Day 3: bike, beach, and rappelling
- Morning: BikeTour 360º through the village and Poço do Caetano, for ages 11 and up, or the EcoTour at Calhetas Beach, both at 9 AM, departing from the agency, at Av. Francisco Loup, 500.
- Afternoon: Lookout Rappelling (10 meters) or Calhetas Rappelling (96 meters), at 2 PM. The minimum age and weight aren't published: confirm with the team.
- Evening: dinner at La Trattoria, at Villa'l Mare Hotel.
Day 4: how to get from Maresias to Ilhabela?
There are two routes, and the choice changes the whole day:
- Private Boat Tour, Ilhabela Route: departs at 9 AM from Boiçucanga Beach and lasts about 6 hours. It passes the beaches along the São Sebastião coast, such as Paúba, Santiago, Toque Toque Pequeno and Grande, Calhetas, Guaecá, and Barequeçaba, then the beaches of Curral and Viana, with a lunch stop (not included), Sino, and the Vila de Ilhabela. On the way back, there's a stop for diving at Calhetas. The boat is a 25-foot Runner 7500 for up to 10 people, and an onboard barbecue grill is optional, at an extra charge. Booking is via WhatsApp.
- Car and ferry: Maresias is about 30 km from downtown São Sebastião, 35 to 45 minutes by car without traffic, and the ferry to Ilhabela departs from downtown. On the island, the day is free to get around.
The comparison of time and cost is in from Maresias to Ilhabela: boat or ferry, and tips for the line are in the guide on the São Sebastião–Ilhabela ferry.
Day 5: try-diving dive at Ilha das Cabras
- Morning: try-diving dive departing at 9 AM from Rua Benedito Ramos dos Santos, 98, in Varadouro, São Sebastião. No course or certification needed: it's 30 to 50 minutes of diving, at about 6 meters (20 ft) deep, alongside a PADI® instructor, at Ilha das Cabras, in Ilhabela. Full equipment, boat transport to the dive spot, and individual insurance are included. The minimum age is 10, with parental or guardian consent.
- Afternoon: lunch and the trip home. There's also a 2 PM departure, for those who prefer to sleep in.
Those staying in Maresias need to factor in the trip to downtown. That's why spending the last night near Varadouro makes the morning easier. See what the experience is like in the post about the try-diving dive at Ilha das Cabras.
How to adapt the 5 days for family, couples, or friends?
- Family with small children: on day 3, stick with the EcoTour at Calhetas, skipping the BikeTour and the Adventure Package, which don't accept children up to age 10. On day 5, the dive is only for those 10 or older; younger kids can swap it for a boat ride. See Maresias with the family.
- Couple: the last nights can be at the Ilha de Toque Toque, and the private boat at sunset fits well on day 2. See couple's trip to Maresias and honeymoon in Maresias.
- Friends: the Ilhabela boat, split among up to 10 people, works out much more affordably per person. More at trip with friends to Maresias.
With fewer days, use the 3-day Maresias itinerary.
Where to stay for 5 days: Maresias, South Coast, or downtown?
The guesthouses in this itinerary are MaresiasTur partners.
- Villa'l Mare Hotel, in Maresias: for families and couples, with a free shuttle van to any point in Maresias, an adult and kids' pool, and La Trattoria.
- Pousada Azul da Cor do Mar, in Maresias: 20 m from the beach, on the same avenue as the agency, with a pool, a sauna, and a kids' pool area.
- Ilha de Toque Toque Eco Hotel, in Toque Toque Grande: adults-only and exclusive to couples. It has 14 rooms on a hillside 50 m above the sea, suites with a private spa, a hot tub or pool, an L'Occitane Spa, and an à la carte restaurant exclusive to guests. It was the first hotel in Brazil with the Zero Waste seal and appears in the Michelin Guide.
- Pousada Vila Barequeçaba: 400 m from Barequeçaba Beach, with calm waters, good for small children. Has a pool, an accessible suite, and a suite for 5 people. Doesn't accept pets.
- Porto Grande Hotel & Convention, downtown: facing the channel and Ilhabela, in the same area as the ferry and the dive departure point. Has a full-board rate, adult and kids' pools with a waterslide, a sauna, a playground, and a game room.
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 5 days?
| Tour | Price |
|---|---|
| Cachoeira das 7 Quedas hike | R$ 70 per person |
| Shared Boat Tour Montão de Trigo + 3 Islands | R$ 250 per person |
| BikeTour 360º (or EcoTour, R$ 150) | R$ 90 per person |
| Lookout Rappelling (or Calhetas Rappelling, R$ 300) | R$ 120 per person |
| Try-diving dive at Ilha das Cabras | R$ 500 per person |
| Subtotal per person | R$ 1,030 |
| Private Boat Tour Ilhabela Route | Per boat: R$ 2,800 (up to 2 people) to R$ 3,500 (up to 10) |
These are September 2026 reference prices; the current price appears on the tour's page. Split up, the Ilhabela boat costs R$ 1,400 per person for a couple and R$ 350 per person for a group of 10. The dive's price and dates are on the page for the try-diving dive at Ilha das Cabras. Uber and 99 don't operate in São Sebastião, and transport to the departure points isn't included; see how to get to Maresias and get around. If a departure is canceled for weather, the traveler chooses between rescheduling at no cost or a full refund; for overcast days, see what to do in Maresias when it rains.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it worth staying 5 days in Maresias?
- It's worth it for those who want more than the beach: 5 days fit in a waterfall, South Coast islands, rappelling, a day in Ilhabela, and the try-diving dive at Ilha das Cabras, without rushing.
- Where to stay to go to Ilhabela and do the dive?
- Porto Grande Hotel is downtown São Sebastião, in the same area as the ferry and the dive departure point, in Varadouro. Maresias is about 30 km away, 35 to 45 minutes by car without traffic.
- Do you need to know how to dive for the try-diving dive?
- No. The try-diving dive requires no course or certification: it's 30 to 50 minutes at about 6 meters (20 ft) deep, with a PADI® instructor by your side. The minimum age is 10, with guardian consent.
- Is it better to go to Ilhabela by boat or by ferry?
- The private boat is a roughly 6-hour tour along the beaches of São Sebastião and Ilhabela, priced per boat. The ferry departs from downtown São Sebastião and suits those who want to drive around the island.
- Does the Ilha de Toque Toque accept families?
- No. The Ilha de Toque Toque Eco Hotel is adults-only and exclusive to couples. For families, the itinerary recommends Villa'l Mare, Azul da Cor do Mar, Vila Barequeçaba, and Porto Grande.
- How does the MARESIASTUR coupon work?
- Mention the MARESIASTUR coupon when booking directly with the partner guesthouse. The conditions, dates, and availability of the discount are set by each guesthouse.
