Maresias with Family: 2, 3 and 5-Day Itinerary with Kids
By MaresiasTur · · 7 min read
Quick answer
To enjoy Maresias with family, combine the EcoTour at Calhetas Beach, the easy hike to the 7 Quedas Waterfall, and the boat tour around the islands, with pool noodles for kids. With children up to age 10, BikeTour 360º and the Adventure Package are left out.
A trip to Maresias with family works well when the itinerary respects the kids' age: tours of about 3 hours, a swim break along the way, and a free afternoon for the pool or beach. This guide puts together 2, 3 and 5-day versions with MaresiasTur's tours for each age group and accommodations that welcome families well, including with pets.
MaresiasTur uses the same age brackets across all tours: Baby (up to 2 years), Young child (3 to 10 years), Teen (11 to 17 years), Adult (18 to 64 years) and Senior (65 years or older). Minors under 18 must book together with an adult. The accommodations mentioned in this itinerary are MaresiasTur partners.
Which tours work for each age?
- Baby (up to 2 years): choose the shorter programs and check each tour's page to see if the Baby bracket is accepted. The private boat lets the family set its own schedule and take breaks whenever needed.
- Young child (3 to 10 years): the EcoTour at Calhetas Beach, the hike to the 7 Quedas Waterfall, and the boat tour around the islands, shared (with pool noodles) or private. BikeTour 360º and the Adventure Package do not accept babies or children up to age 10.
- From age 10: Try Scuba Diving at Ilha das Cabras, in Ilhabela, with parental or guardian consent.
- From age 11: BikeTour 360º and the Adventure Package join the itinerary. For Lookout Rappelling, the minimum age and weight are not published: confirm with the team.
The guide to tours in Maresias with kids covers each activity in detail.
2-Day Itinerary in Maresias with Kids
Day 1: Islands by boat
- Morning: Shared Boat Tour The 3 Islands of the South Coast, departing at 9 am from Boiçucanga Beach, just minutes from Maresias. It's about 3 hours around Ilha das Couves, Ilha dos Gatos and As Ilhas, with two stops for a swim, a licensed boat crew, and pool noodles.
- Afternoon: an unhurried lunch and rest at the pool at your accommodation.
- Evening: a stroll through the village and an early dinner, so the little ones can rest.
Day 2: Nearly deserted beach
- Morning: EcoTour at Calhetas Beach, at 9 am, with round-trip transportation departing from the agency (Av. Francisco Loup, 500) and a certified local guide. It's a white-sand beach with rock formations, and the tour lasts about 3 hours.
- Afternoon: lunch and the drive back, or a late afternoon at Maresias Beach.
Leaving the boat tour for the first day gives room to reschedule if the sea doesn't cooperate: if canceled for weather or maritime safety, the family can choose between a free reschedule or a full refund.
3-Day Itinerary: Boat, Beach and Waterfall
Follow days 1 and 2 above and add a day of Atlantic Forest.
Day 3: 7 Quedas Waterfall
- Morning: hike to the 7 Quedas Waterfall, at 9 am: 2 km round trip, easy level, with a swim at the waterfall at the end, led by a certified ecotourism guide. Transportation to the site is not included.
- Afternoon: pool or beach and packing without rushing.
- Evening: sunset on the beach and dinner in the village.
On a cloudy day, the hike is a good trade for the beach, but heavy rain makes the rivers and rocks more dangerous. More ideas are in what to do in Maresias when it rains.
5-Day Itinerary: Ilhabela and Age-Based Programs
With five days, the first three follow the itinerary above, and the last two change depending on your kids' ages.
Day 4: A day-long boat trip to Ilhabela
- Morning and afternoon: Private Boat Tour – Ilhabela Route, departing at 9 am from Boiçucanga, about 6 hours, for up to 10 people. The boat passes the beaches along the São Sebastião coast, stops for lunch in Ilhabela (paid separately), and makes a snorkeling stop at Calhetas on the way back.
- Evening: a light dinner and early bedtime.
Day 5: Depending on your kids' age
- With children up to age 10: Shared Boat Tour to Ilha do Montão de Trigo, at 9 am from Maresias Beach, about 4 hours around the islands. Pool noodles and snorkel masks are not included: bring the family's own.
- With kids age 10 and up: Try Scuba Diving at Ilha das Cabras, with a PADI® instructor, departing from Varadouro, in São Sebastião, about 30 km from Maresias.
- With kids age 11 and up: BikeTour 360º at 9 am, through the village and to Poço do Caetano, or the Adventure Package, from 9 am to 3 pm, with biking, a river swim, and Lookout Rappelling.
- Evening: a farewell dinner in the village.
Where to Stay in Maresias with Kids (and with a Pet)?
- Villa'l Mare Hotel: about 500 m from the beach, with an adult pool and a kids' pool, a whirlpool tub, and breakfast included. The free shuttle takes guests anywhere in Maresias every day, including the beach, and the La Trattoria restaurant serves homemade pasta from family recipes.
- Pousada Azul da Cor do Mar: 20 m from the beach, just across the street. It has a pool area for children, a sauna, a team attentive to families, and breakfast signed by chef Andrea Mandetta.
- Pousada Porto Mare: suites with an extra bed, about 150 m from the beach, a heated saltwater pool, and Restaurante Ravenala, rooted in caiçara tradition. Accepts small pets.
- Pousada Vila Barequeçaba: 400 m from Barequeçaba Beach, with calm waters, good for young children, between Maresias and downtown São Sebastião. Has a suite for 5 people and one accessible suite. Does not accept pets.
- Porto Grande Hotel & Convention: for large families, in downtown São Sebastião, with adult and kids' pools with a water slide, a playground, a game room, and a full-board rate. It's close to the ferry to Ilhabela and to the diving departure point.
Family with a Pet
Pousada Toca da Praia makes pet-friendliness its main positioning: there's no restriction by size or breed, and pets are allowed in the suite, at the outdoor breakfast tables, and in the common areas. The guesthouse is about 450 m from the beach, has a solar-heated pool, and lends chairs and umbrellas. For small pets, Porto Mare is also an option; at Villa'l Mare, the policy varies by room type, so check with the hotel. If your pet is joining any tour, confirm beforehand with the MaresiasTur team.
Special discount coupon: MARESIASTUR. When booking directly with this itinerary's partner accommodations, mention the coupon MARESIASTUR for a special discount. Terms, dates and availability are set by each property.
How Much Does the Itinerary Cost in Tours?
Price per person (reference prices from September 2026; the updated price appears on each tour's page). Each age bracket's price appears on each tour's page.
| Tour | Day | Reference Price |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Boat Tour The 3 Islands | 1 | R$ 200 per person |
| EcoTour Calhetas Beach | 2 | R$ 150 per person |
| Hike to the 7 Quedas Waterfall | 3 | R$ 70 per person |
| Private Boat Tour Ilhabela Route | 4 | R$ 2,800 to R$ 3,500 per boat |
| Shared Boat Tour Montão de Trigo | 5 | R$ 250 per person |
| Try Scuba Diving (10+) or BikeTour 360º (11+) | 5 | R$ 500 or R$ 90 per person |
Over the first three days, the tours add up to R$ 420 per person. The boat trip to Ilhabela, charged per boat, is a better deal for two families traveling together.
How to Get Around with Family?
Uber, 99 and similar apps don't work in São Sebastião, so your own or a rented car is the most practical option. The boats depart from Boiçucanga Beach (the exact meeting point is sent via WhatsApp), the boat to Montão departs from Maresias Beach, and the EcoTour already includes transportation from the agency. Arrive 30 minutes early. The guide to getting to Maresias and getting around has the routes.
Traveling without kids? See a couple's trip to Maresias or the 3-day Maresias itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the best tour in Maresias to do with young children?
- The EcoTour at Calhetas Beach and the hike to the 7 Quedas Waterfall, 2 km long and easy level, last about 3 hours and have a certified guide. The shared boat tour around the islands includes pool noodles.
- Can an 8-year-old do BikeTour 360º?
- No. BikeTour 360º and the Adventure Package only accept participants age 11 and up. For that age, choose the EcoTour, the 7 Quedas hike, and the boat tour instead.
- Which hotel in Maresias has a kids' pool?
- Among MaresiasTur's partners, Villa'l Mare Hotel has an adult pool and a kids' pool, and Pousada Azul da Cor do Mar has a pool area for children. In downtown São Sebastião, Porto Grande has a kids' pool with a water slide.
- Where can I stay in Maresias with a dog?
- Pousada Toca da Praia is pet friendly with no restriction by size or breed, and pets are allowed in the suite and common areas. Pousada Porto Mare accepts small pets.
- From what age can you do Try Scuba Diving?
- From age 10, with parental or guardian consent. The dive takes place at Ilha das Cabras, in Ilhabela, with a PADI® instructor.
- Is there a discount at the accommodations in this itinerary?
- Yes. When booking directly with the partner accommodations, mention the coupon MARESIASTUR. Terms, dates and availability are set by each property.
