What to Do in Maresias: Complete Guide to Tours, Beaches and Adventures
By MaresiasTur · · Updated on · 6 min read
Quick answer
In Maresias, São Sebastião (SP), you can take a boat tour to the islands of the South Coast, hike to the Cachoeira das 7 Quedas waterfall, go rappelling with ocean views, try scuba diving and ride the Biketour through the village. Three days are enough to combine islands, Atlantic Forest and beach.
Knowing what to do in Maresias, in São Sebastião, on São Paulo's North Coast, goes far beyond the surfing and nightlife that made the beach famous. Within a few kilometers there are clear-water islands to visit by boat, Atlantic Forest trails that end at a waterfall, rappelling with ocean views, diving with an instructor, and a village with street art to explore by bike.
Below are the tours that depart from Maresias and the surrounding area, with duration, departure and prices, a three-day itinerary and links to the guides for each activity.
What are the most popular tours in Maresias?
Reference prices from September 2026; the current price is on each tour's page.
| Tour | Duration | Departure | Starting at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Boat Tour: The 3 Islands (Couves, Gatos and As Ilhas) | About 3 hours | Boiçucanga Beach, at 9am, noon or 3pm | R$ 200 per person |
| Shared Boat Tour: Montão de Trigo and The 3 Islands | About 4 hours | Maresias Beach, at 9am | R$ 250 per person |
| Private Boat Tour – Ilhabela Route | About 6 hours | Boiçucanga Beach, at 9am | R$ 2,800 per boat |
| Eco Hike – Maresias Waterfall (7 Quedas) | 3 hours | Maresias Waterfall Trail | R$ 70 per person |
| Lookout Rappelling – Paúba Beach (10 m) | About 3 hours | Trilha dos Mirantes, between Paúba and Maresias | R$ 120 per person |
| Calhetas Rappelling (96 m) | 3 hours | MaresiasTur agency | R$ 300 per person |
| EcoTour – Calhetas Beach | 3 hours | MaresiasTur agency, with transfer | R$ 150 per person |
| Biketour 360º | 3 hours | MaresiasTur agency, at 9am | R$ 90 per person |
| Maresias Adventure Package | About 6 hours (9am to 3pm) | MaresiasTur agency | R$ 150 per person |
| Try Scuba Diving – Ilha das Cabras | About 3 hours | Varadouro, in São Sebastião | R$ 500 per person |
To compare the boat tours in detail, see how much a boat tour in Maresias costs.
What are the island boat tours like?
São Sebastião's South Coast has islands just minutes away by boat. Tours departing from Maresias and Boiçucanga visit Ilha das Couves, Ilha dos Gatos, As Ilhas and Ilha do Montão de Trigo. See the guide to the islands of São Sebastião.
- Shared boat: about 3 hours around Ilha das Couves, Ilha dos Gatos and As Ilhas, with two stops for swimming and snorkeling in clear water. It is charged per person, with pool noodles included.
- Shared boat to Montão de Trigo: about 4 hours, departing straight from Maresias Beach at 9am, with stops for swimming in calm water. See the guide to Ilha do Montão de Trigo.
- Private boat: just for your group, priced per boat; on The 3 Islands route it departs in the morning, afternoon or at sunset.
- Ilhabela route: about 6 hours along the coast to Ilhabela, with a stop for lunch (not included) and diving at Calhetas. Compare with the ferry in from Maresias to Ilhabela.
Shared tours need a minimum of 8 people per departure. If the minimum isn't reached, or if the sea conditions are unfavorable, MaresiasTur offers rescheduling or a full refund. If in doubt, read shared or private boat tour.
What hikes and waterfalls can you do in Maresias?
The Serra do Mar mountains come right down to the sea in this part of the coast. The Cachoeira das 7 Quedas hike is 2 km round trip, easy level, and passes through a conservation area to a waterfall suitable for swimming, always with a certified ecotourism guide. There are departures at 9am and 2pm.
Compare the options in the guides to hikes in Maresias and waterfalls in Maresias and around.
Where can you go rappelling in Maresias?
There are two very different options. Lookout Rappelling is 10 meters high, with up to two descents, and is on the Trilha dos Mirantes, a 2 km, easy-level route suitable for all ages, between Paúba and Maresias. Groups depart from 2 people, with a certified guide, equipment and individual insurance included.
Then there's Calhetas Waterfall Rappelling, which is 96 meters and led by certified Adventure Tourism guides. The technique is easy to learn, but the activity is recommended only for those without a fear of heights. Never rappelled before? Read rappelling for the first time.
Diving, biking and nearby beaches
Try scuba diving at Ilha das Cabras
Try scuba diving takes place at Ilha das Cabras, in Ilhabela, with no course or certification required: it's 30 to 50 minutes underwater, at an average depth of 6 meters, accompanied by a PADI® instructor. Boat transport to the dive site is included, and the minimum age is 10, with parental or guardian consent.
Biketour 360º and street art
The Biketour 360º rides through the neighborhood's first street and the Beco da Mulher Maravilha (Wonder Woman Alley), with murals from the "Colorindo Maresias" project, and stops for a swim at the Poço do Caetano natural pool, on the Rio Maresias. Depending on the group and sea conditions, the return leg may include the Canto do Moreira natural pools. The route is easy: you just need to know how to ride a bike. The Biketour is not open to children under 11. The same tour opens the Maresias Adventure Package, which continues in the afternoon with Lookout Rappelling.
Nearby beaches
On the coast between Maresias and downtown São Sebastião are beaches with very different profiles, such as Paúba, Santiago, Toque Toque Pequeno, Toque Toque Grande, Calhetas, Guaecá and Barequeçaba. Praia de Calhetas (Calhetas Beach) is nearly deserted, with white sand and rock formations, and the EcoTour reaches it with transfer from the agency and a certified local guide.
3-day itinerary in Maresias
- Day 1, the sea: boat tour around the islands in the morning and late afternoon at Maresias Beach.
- Day 2, adventure: the Adventure Package, from 9am to 3pm, or the Cachoeira das 7 Quedas hike in the morning and Lookout Rappelling at 2pm.
- Day 3, nature: the Calhetas EcoTour or a scuba diving experience before hitting the road.
Boat tours depend on the sea, so leaving them for the start of the trip leaves room to reschedule.
What to do in Maresias when it rains, and tips before you go
In heavy rain or rough seas, tours may be canceled for safety. In that case, you can choose between rescheduling at no cost or getting a full refund, as set out in the cancellation policy. Ideas for those days are in the guide what to do in Maresias when it rains.
- Transportation: Uber and 99 don't work in São Sebastião. See how to get to Maresias and get around.
- Timing: arrive at the meeting point 30 minutes early; a delay that causes you to miss the departure is treated as a no-show.
- What to bring: food and drinks are not included on the island tours. Check what to bring on each tour.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best tours in Maresias?
- The most popular are the boat tour around the South Coast islands, the Cachoeira das 7 Quedas hike, Lookout Rappelling and the Adventure Package, which combines a Biketour, a river swim and rappelling.
- How many days should you stay in Maresias?
- Three days let you combine an island boat tour, an adventure activity in the Atlantic Forest and free time at the beach.
- Can you go to the islands departing from Maresias Beach?
- Yes. The shared boat to the 4 South Coast islands, Montão de Trigo, Ilha das Couves, Ilha dos Gatos and As Ilhas, departs from Maresias Beach at 9am. The speedboats depart from Boiçucanga Beach.
- Is there rappelling in Maresias for first-timers?
- Yes. Lookout Rappelling is 10 meters, is on an easy-level trail and includes a certified guide, equipment and individual insurance.
- Does Uber work in Maresias?
- No. Apps like Uber and 99 don't work in São Sebastião; plan for a car, ride share or local taxi.
