Ferry Between São Sebastião and Ilhabela: Schedule, Fares, and Line Tips
By MaresiasTur · · 6 min read
Quick answer
The São Sebastião–Ilhabela ferry runs 24 hours a day, with frequent departures from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm and a 20- to 30-minute crossing. Pedestrians and cyclists ride free, and vehicles pay only when boarding in São Sebastião. The operation is transitioning to a private concessionaire: check the official website before you go.
The São Sebastião–Ilhabela ferry runs 24 hours a day, with regular departures from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm and fixed overnight schedules. The crossing takes 20 to 30 minutes, pedestrians and cyclists ride free, and the vehicle fare is charged only when boarding in São Sebastião, covering both the outbound and return trips.
This guide brings together what travelers staying in Maresias need to know before heading to Ilhabela. The information was checked in September 2026 on official pages of the São Paulo State Government and the Ilhabela City Hall. Since the operation is transitioning to a private concessionaire, always check the official website before traveling.
Who operates the ferry between São Sebastião and Ilhabela?
The crossing belongs to the São Paulo State Government and is run by the Secretariat of the Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics (SEMIL), through the Waterway Department (DH). The Acqua Vias SP consortium won the auction for the public-private partnership of the Water Crossings, for a 20-year term, and the contract was signed on May 15, 2026 with Acqua Vias SP Travessias SPE S.A., according to SEMIL and the São Paulo State Government's partnerships program.
Per the published schedule, SEMIL remains responsible for operations during the first three months, in cooperation with the concessionaire, which takes over full management starting in the contract's seventh month. In practice, schedules, rules and fares may change during this transition, and new rates were not listed on the official pages checked in September 2026. The rule is simple: before leaving Maresias, check the crossing's page on the SEMIL website.
Where is the boarding point and how long does the crossing take?
In São Sebastião, the terminal is on Av. Antônio Januário do Nascimento, s/n. In Ilhabela, it's on Av. Princesa Isabel, s/n. Maresias is about 30 km (19 mi) from downtown São Sebastião via the Rio-Santos highway (SP-55), roughly 35 to 45 minutes by car with no traffic. That's an estimate from route calculators, not an official figure; during high season the trip can take much longer.
SEMIL reports five ferries in operation and a crossing of about 30 minutes each way; the Ilhabela City Hall states 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the weather. Outside peak hours, the average wait in line is 30 minutes, according to the Ilhabela City Hall. The DH call center runs 24 hours at 0800-77-33-711.
Travelers still planning the trip can find routes and travel tips in the guide on how to get to Maresias and get around. Keep in mind that Uber, 99, and similar apps don't operate in São Sebastião.
What are the ferry schedules to Ilhabela?
The crossing runs 24 hours a day. From 5:30 am to 11:30 pm, departures from São Sebastião are regular, based on demand; the Ilhabela City Hall states a departure roughly every 30 minutes. Overnight, service is reduced and follows fixed schedules published on SEMIL's page. Seniors and people with disabilities get priority boarding.
How much does the São Sebastião to Ilhabela ferry cost?
The fares below are from the schedule in effect since July 1, 2018, current as of the check date (September 2026) on SEMIL's website and confirmed by the Ilhabela City Hall. They may change with the concession, so check before traveling.
| Category | Weekdays | Saturdays, Sundays and holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrian and cyclist (including e-bikes) | Free | Free |
| Motorcycle | R$ 9.50 | R$ 14.20 |
| Car or pickup truck | R$ 19.00 | R$ 28.50 |
| Bus or 2-axle truck | R$ 66.30 | R$ 99.40 |
| Bus or 3-axle truck | R$ 151.50 | R$ 227.30 |
The fare is charged only when boarding in São Sebastião and covers both directions: the return trip from Ilhabela isn't charged. In the regular line, payment is by cash or automatic toll tag (Sem Parar, ConectCar, Move Mais, Veloe, and Taggy). SEMIL states that credit and debit cards aren't accepted in the regular line.
How does the Hora Marcada booking system work?
Travelers who don't want to risk the line can buy a time slot through Hora Marcada, the Waterway Department's official booking system. Payment is by credit card only. As of the check date, the service's page showed these prices for cars and pickup trucks:
- São Sebastião to Ilhabela: R$ 65.30 on weekdays and R$ 98.00 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays;
- Ilhabela to São Sebastião: R$ 46.40 on weekdays and R$ 69.50 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
The published rules: rescheduling requires at least 2 hours' notice, there's a 30-minute grace period before or after the booked time, a full refund is available within 7 days of purchase, and after that, 80% within 12 months. The purchase is valid for 12 months.
How to avoid the ferry line?
- Check the line live: SEMIL's page has cameras at both terminals.
- Avoid peak times: the Ilhabela City Hall suggests crossing at night, after 8 pm, for a shorter wait.
- Book ahead: Hora Marcada guarantees your time slot, for a higher fare.
- Plan around holidays: during Carnival 2026, about 14,000 users a day used the crossing, according to SEMIL.
Do you need to pay a fee to enter Ilhabela by car?
Yes. Since March 31, 2026, the Ilhabela City Hall has charged the Environmental Preservation Fee (TPA) on vehicles entering the island: R$ 48 for cars, light utility vehicles and vans, and R$ 10 for motorcycles, among other categories. It's charged once per entry, no matter how many days the vehicle stays.
Payment is by electronic tag, Pix, or bank slip, on the official website ecoilhabela.com.br, within 30 days of entry; after that there's a R$ 100 fine on top of the fee. Note: vehicles registered in São Sebastião and in Ilhabela are exempt, with automatic recognition. Details are on the official TPA page.
Ferry or boat: which is better for visiting Ilhabela?
The ferry is the way to go for those spending several days on the island, bringing a car, or getting around independently. For a day trip from the South Coast, there's another option: MaresiasTur's private boat route to Ilhabela departs at 9 am from Boiçucanga Beach, lasts about 6 hours, and follows the coast past beaches such as Paúba, Toque Toque, Calhetas, and Barequeçaba, on to Curral Beach, Viana Beach (lunch stop, not included), Sino/Garapocaia, and the town of Ilhabela. On the way back, there's a stop for snorkeling in Calhetas.
The boat is a 25-foot Runner 7500, exclusively for your group, with a licensed skipper and safety equipment, for up to 10 people. The price is per boat, starting at R$ 2,800 for up to 2 people (reference prices from September 2026; the current price is on the tour's page). The full comparison is in the post from Maresias to Ilhabela: boat or ferry, and the route is detailed in boat tour from Maresias to Ilhabela.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the São Sebastião to Ilhabela ferry run overnight?
- Yes. The crossing runs 24 hours a day: from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm departures are regular, and overnight service is reduced, with fixed schedules published on SEMIL's website.
- Do pedestrians pay for the Ilhabela ferry?
- No. Pedestrians and cyclists, including e-bikes, cross for free, according to the fare schedule checked in September 2026.
- Do you pay for the ferry on the way back from Ilhabela?
- No. In the regular line, the fare is charged only when boarding in São Sebastião and covers both the outbound and return trips.
- Can you pay for the ferry with a card?
- In the regular line, no: payment is by cash or automatic toll tag. Hora Marcada bookings are paid by credit card only.
- Does a car registered in São Sebastião pay the Ilhabela fee?
- No. Vehicles registered in São Sebastião and in Ilhabela are exempt from the Environmental Preservation Fee, with automatic recognition. Other passenger cars pay R$ 48 per entry.
- Will the ferry change with the concession?
- The operation is transitioning to the concessionaire Acqua Vias SP, with a contract signed on May 15, 2026. Fares and rules may change, so check SEMIL's official website before traveling.
