10 Reasons to visit Morro de São Paulo in Bahia on vacation

Morro de São Paulo, in Bahia, is a small and traditional village in Tinharé. However, it is much better known for its beautiful beaches than for the village itself, which in itself is already a great local attraction!

Continue reading and discover 10 great reasons to visit the place, as well as super important information about the village and the region around it that can make your trip even better!

1. In Morro de São Paulo in Bahia, you will find lush beaches 

As I said above, the beaches are the highlight of Morro de São Paulo, in Bahia, although Tinharé and the village itself are great places. However, it is the beaches that made and continue to make the name of the place and it is for them that you will probably want to visit the place.

So, keep a list of the best beaches in the region so that your trip is successful and you get there knowing where to go and what to enjoy!

• First Beach in Morro de São Paulo in Bahia
• Second Beach in Morro de SP Bahia
• Third Beach of Morro de São Paulo
• Fourth and Fifth Beach in Morro de São Paulo Bahia
• Gamboa
• Porto de Cima
• Ponta de Pedra Beach
• Garapuá
• Prainha do Forte do Morro de São Paulo

You have certainly noticed that some of these names have already been mentioned, however, there is a difference between them, right? This is just because the beaches are also known by other names, so don't worry!

First Beach in Morro de São Paulo in Bahia

Called First Beach because it is (a little anticlimactic, yes), the first beach to have summer houses built several years ago. Nowadays, the vast majority of them have become inns or part of local businesses.

The beach is great for surfing during the winter, however, the rest of the year is ideal for children, as it is relatively quiet. In addition to surfing and calm water, you can enjoy diving, boat rentals and even zip lines.

Second Beach in Morro de SP Bahia

Second Beach is one of the most famous in Morro de São Paulo, Bahia. However, this is not only because of the beautiful waters that are great for enjoying the region, but also because of the dynamic nature of the sands, with sports and lots of fun.

Additionally, you will also find parties and luaus that start at midnight and go until dawn. If you want to have fun, Second Beach is a great idea!

Third Beach of Morro de São Paulo

Meanwhile, Terceira Praia is surrounded by inns, hotels, restaurants and shops, so there is a good chance you are staying here, or in its surroundings.

However, the biggest attraction of Terceira Praia is the island of Caitá, a small islet close to the beach itself that is surrounded by a beautiful coral reef.

Therefore, diving is very common there, to enjoy the clear waters and the various fish that live in the reef. 

Fourth and Fifth Beach in Morro de São Paulo Bahia

Quarta and Quinta Praia, or Praia do Encanto, are practically one thing: they are both long, which means it will never be full. Here, you will be able to walk and enjoy the beautiful landscape alone.

Furthermore, you will find a huge coral barrier that creates, at the right time of day, natural pools along the length of both beaches. It is a beautiful place, perfect for contemplating nature.

Gamboa

Gamboa beach is not in the Morro de São Paulo region, it is neighboring it. Therefore, to get to this beach it will take you 30 minutes to walk through beautiful scenery on the island of Tinharé.

The region also has a very lively village and the beach is perfect for diving and water sports thanks to its calm waters.

Porto de Cima

Ignored by many tourists, Porto de Cima beach is a rare combination of crystal clear, calm water and landscapes that create beautiful compositions to behold.

Its waters have greenish and bluish tones that vary in shades that are pleasant to watch and reflect the sky with the coconut trees that surround it. It's great for relaxing, diving and enjoying the proximity to the village of Morro de São Paulo.

Ponta de Pedra Beach

Ponta de Pedra beach is one of those perennial beaches that disappear during high tide and has a beautiful strip of sand with access to natural pools in the sea, during low tide.

Like the others, its waters are calm and warm, but its biggest difference is its natural exuberance, surrounded only by nature, without kiosks, restaurants or inns. Here, you just enjoy the beach – and that's all you need.

Garapuá

Garapuá is one of the most beautiful beaches in Tinharé, even though it is not one of the most famous.

The beach is in a cove with calm, transparent and warm waters, which makes it perfect for a relaxing day with or without the family.

Prainha do Forte do Morro de São Paulo

Morro de São Paulo, in Bahia, has wonderful and well-known beaches, however, the place still has some secrets. One of them is the beach at Forte do Morro de São Paulo.

It is small, unknown and has its strip of sand covered by rocks that create a beautiful composition at low tides with small natural pools, and a more radical landscape, at high tide and larger waves.

2. The Tour Around the Island in Morro de São Paulo is spectacular

This is the ideal tour for you who haven't yet had the opportunity to visit Morro de São Paulo, in Bahia. However, despite being a super general overview of the whole of Tinharé, you will still get a more intimate taste of each place.

Lasting around 8 hours and done via speedboats, you will pass through 5 major locations in the region and have access to very interesting tours in:

• Cairú historic center
• Floating bars in Canavieiras
• Visit to the natural pools of Garapuá
• Discover the beaches of the neighboring island, Boipeba

Beach tours can change a little due to the influence of tides and weather, however, they are designed to provide the best experience for you, so don't worry!

3. You can visit islands and beaches around Morro de São Paulo and Bahia on tours with 4×4 vehicles

One of the most popular tours in Morro de São Paulo, Bahia, is done by 4×4 vehicles. Generally, tourists want to travel an entire beach with the wind hitting their face in a 4×4 vehicle.

However, you will find only two tours that, in addition to being popular, are responsible for some of the most fun photos you can find about Tinharé and Boipeba.

The first and most beloved of all 4×4 itineraries is the trip to Garapuá beach in a 4×4. In it you will depart from Segunda Praia in your 4×4, quickly passing through Segunda Praia until you reach the beautiful Garapuá beach.

If you are looking for a trip to enjoy the beautiful stretch of sand and still be able to enjoy both the beach and the natural pools in the region, this is the trip for you!

Now, a favorite among those looking for this type of tour and which is not yet as explored as the previous one is the Tour to Boipeba Island with a 4×4 vehicle.

This tour will take you from Morro de São Paulo to Boipeba, the neighboring island of Tinharé, where Morro de São Paulo is located. There you can visit several beaches that are semi-untouched by man, enjoying their beauty and the speed of your 4×4.

Among the most common beaches present on the tour in Boipeba are: Praia do Tassimirim, Praia da Cueira, Praia de Moreré and Praia do Bainema.

4. In the months of July to October, humpback whales take over the scene

As you have already read earlier in this article, there is a good reason for the low season of visiting Morro de São Paulo to do a 360 and rekindle itself. And that reason is the Humpback whales.

Every year, the coast of Bahia hosts the spectacle of humpback whales, which seek out the state's warm waters to breed. Therefore, if you are a lover of natural life and really want to see them, this is your opportunity.

However, you need to be careful as it is not constant, whether you can see them on boat trips or the dates on which they approach the coast. This time period is broad, but covers July through October.

5. The Foral de Morro de São Paulo, in Bahia, and its spectacular view

If you are looking for a free option to admire the natural beauty of Morro de São Paulo, the Lighthouse is an excellent idea.

The climb may require a little breathing space, but the walk is very short and you will soon be on the wooden stilt that marks the viewpoint. Facing the sea and right at the top of the hill, you will have a privileged view of the sunset.

It’s totally worth it and will definitely make for incredible photos and memories!

6. In Morro de SP Bahia there is also a zip line

If you are looking for an extreme trip to escape the standard of water sports in Morro de São Paulo, this is the suggestion.

From a height of 52 meters and covering a 340-metre route, the Morro de São Paulo zipline is an unforgettable trip that can also be used as an introduction to the region, as you will be able to see much of it from above.

The tour starts at the top of the Morro de São Paulo Lighthouse and will leave you in the shallow waters of Primeira Praia.

7. Toca do Morcego Morro de São Paulo guarantees excitement at the end of the day

Now, if you are looking for a place to enjoy the sunset and night in Morro de São Paulo, the right choice is to visit Toca do Morcego.

The space is a mix of bar, club and restaurant, with a cool atmosphere, lively people, and of course, with its wonderful view of the Morro de São Paulo sunset. 

Toca do Morcego is on the way up to the Lighthouse, which allows a wide view of the top and the entire region.

However, be careful, you need to buy a ticket to visit the place. The price of this ticket may vary according to demand, so you can find prices close to R$100.

8. There are several tourist attractions besides the beaches

In addition to everything you just read, you will also find a little more in the form of cultural tours. That's right, Morro de São Paulo, in Bahia, is not only beautiful, it's deep and has a rich past.

There, you can visit the church of Nossa Senhora da Luz, founded in the middle of the 19th century, on the way up Morro de São Paulo – you can see it from the sea, as you approach from Tinharé by boat!

Or, visit the Tapirandú Fortress, an icon of the region, being one of the most popular tourist attractions as it is a great place to catch a glimpse of the region's sunset. 

Furthermore, visiting the fortress that was completed before the middle of the 17th century, you will be able to see and learn about its construction: made with stones and whale oil.

9. Inns and hotels have a complete infrastructure

When it comes to where to stay in Morro de São Paulo, Bahia, you will have to choose, first and foremost, which part of the island you want to stay in.

The services and complete infrastructure that you will be looking for are concentrated in a few beaches, such as: First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth beaches and the village itself. 

There you will find options that are more or less cheap but that fully meet your needs.

However, here's the important point: do you want proximity to the liveliest spots in Tinharé? Are you looking for peace? Do you want to enjoy the night and parties?

If you want excitement, Segunda Praia and the village itself are the best options. However, if you are looking for peace, Terceira beach is the best idea. However, if you want to get away from it all, Quarta and Quinta praia are the right option!

Furthermore, you will find high quality inns that can range from high class to good, which makes the region good for all audiences.

10. In Morro de São Paulo in Bahia you will find a variety of restaurants

Eating is a pleasure and that's why you must be worried about whether there are good restaurants for you to go to in Morro de São Paulo, right?

There are several, so don't worry. However, prepare your wallet as they tend not to be that cheap.

The best and most expensive ones tend to be in the trendiest areas of the region, that is, the Vila and Segunda Praia areas. However, despite these two places having a greater number of establishments, the entire island is well equipped.

As it is an island and has direct contact with the sea, the main and most common dishes found in the region are those that have fish and seafood as the main ingredient, however, you can find options of all types.

Some good examples of restaurants you should look for are: 

• Swimming Pool Restaurant, on Fourth beach; 
• Halai Beach, on Gamboa beach; 
• Funny Restaurant, on Terceira beach; 
• Balconies, on Second beach.
• Captain Pipoca's Restaurant, on Garapuá beach.

Where is it and how to get there?

Firstly, it is important to know where Morro de São Paulo is, in addition to its mother state, Bahia. That's because there's no point in having a comment about what to do there if you don't know where it is, right?

Therefore, following this path, Morro de São Paulo is on an island on the south coast of Bahia. Close, however, below Salvador and the Recôncavo Bahia, among other famous population centers in the region. 

It is part of municipality of Cairu, on the Dendê coast, on the island of Tinharé. And, in addition to other landmarks, it has beaches that are very famous for their beauty and history: Gamboa, do Pontal, Guarapá, Primeira, Segunda, Terceira, Quarta and Quinta (or do Encanto) among others.

Furthermore, an interesting detail is that the island is part of the Cairu archipelago.

However, despite knowing where it is, it is also important to know how to get there. After all, if you want to see a place and don't know how to get there, you end up not being able to see it, right?

Above all, now that you know where Morro de São Paulo is and that it is not just 'a place', but rather an island that is part of an archipelago well known for its natural and historical beauty, everything becomes easier, right?

However, despite being another of the many Brazilian paradises, it is not so easy to get to. This is because there is no land access to the island, so to get to Morro de São Paulo, you will need to take a boat or a plane.

However, there are different routes for each option, especially when you can opt (or not) for air taxi charter flights.

However, the most common route is via Salvador. From there, you'll have private flights, air taxis, 100% sea routes with boats and speedboats, or hybrid routes that run along the coast and use boats only when they're needed.

How far is it from Salvador to Morro de São Paulo?

This information is not decisive, however, many people are curious about the distance between Morro de São Paulo, in Bahia, and the capital, Salvador.

Morro de São Paulo is located 64 km south of Salvador, on the Dendê Coast. An important tourist area in the state and is also made up of mangroves, rivers, lagoons and even waterfalls. 

The place is part of the island of Tinharé, as already mentioned, and is neighboring the famous Ilha de Boipeba, another stunning place in the region.

When is the best time to visit Morro de São Paulo in Bahia?

Visiting the place at the right time can change your travel experience, however, Morro de São Paulo is a little different.

With its humid tropical climate, the island – and the region as a whole – sees few days without sun, even if there is rain. The temperature generally stays between 21º and 30º degrees throughout the year, and it is unusual to range beyond these marks.

This means that you will be able to enjoy Morro de São Paulo practically every time, just go!

High season takes place during the summer, between the beginning of December and the end of February. This may extend due to the carnival period lasting until March. However, during periods of long holidays and vacation seasons the region is very popular.

However, it is in July (going until October) that you will find the most particular window of the high season. It is during the month that you have the chance to see the majestic Humpback whales, which pass through the region. It's hard to see them, but it's worth it when it happens!

Therefore, the low season permeates these dates, however, nothing stops you from enjoying a great and memorable trip during the low season. As said, the sun is always shining in Boipeba and that is enough for the beauty to multiply.

Therefore, if you are looking for the low season to escape the high prices, try to visit Morro de São Paulo during May, June, August, September, October and November – preferably outside the festive dates in these months.

Conclusion

In short, there are much more than 10 reasons for you to decide to visit Morro de São Paulo, in Bahia.

In addition to the natural wonders that the place has, there are plenty of tours and itineraries for you to enjoy and get to know the region in depth, with its residents and its nature. It is a complete package that is worth visiting.