Itaparica Island Island

Address: Itaparica Island (Ilha de Itaparica), Bay of All Saints (Baía de Todos os Santos), State of Bahia, Brazil

Itaparica Island sits in the Bay of All Saints (Baía de Todos os Santos) off the coast of the state of Bahia, Brazil, and is the largest island in that bay. It has long-standing inhabited towns and is an important local population and transport hub in the bay.

Beaches, small towns and coastal roads are the primary attractions; visitors find sandy beaches, local seafood restaurants, and colonial-era churches and colourful town centres. The island supports ferries and regular boat traffic to Salvador on the mainland.

Historically the island was a strategic and settled place during the colonial period and later became integrated into regional transport and fishing networks; many settlements on the island have historic churches and colonial-era architecture.

Geographically it lies in the Bay of All Saints opposite the city of Salvador, in the state of Bahia; the island is served by ferry crossings to Salvador and sits within the bay’s protected waters.

• Ferry access: Regular ferry services connect the island with Salvador across the Bay of All Saints, making day trips and transport of goods straightforward for visitors and residents.
• What to expect: The island contains multiple beaches, towns and colonial-era churches; tourism, fishing and local agriculture are the main economic activities.

• Use the regular Salvador-Itaparica ferry service (passenger and vehicle ferries) to reach the island and check the ferry timetable in advance - service patterns change on weekends and holidays.
• Avoid weekend peaks by taking a weekday morning crossing if you want quieter beaches and easier local transport; day‑tripper volumes and car traffic onto the island rise on public holidays.
• Explore beyond the coastal resorts into Vila Velha (the old town) and local fortifications - many visitors stay along the beaches and miss the island's colonial center and historic sites.