Praia do Caxadaço, Ilha Grande: Where Nature and History Meet
A quiet beach shaped by geography, memory, and time.
Praia do Caxadaço is one of those places that most people would never find by chance. Hidden from the open coast and protected by rocky headlands, it feels quiet, sheltered, and discreet even though it lies on the ocean-facing side of Ilha Grande.
The name Caxadaço is often associated with the idea of protection and enclosure, something like a natural “steel box”, a place capable of guarding and hiding what is inside. During Brazil’s Colonial period, this meaning made a lot of sense to sailors and navigators.
Because the beach cannot be seen from those sailing along the coast, Caxadaço was historically used as a natural refuge and a discreet anchorage.
Because of its geography, Praia do Caxadaço also became part of old maritime routes used by pirates and smugglers. Hidden from the open coast and impossible to spot from passing ships, this small beach functioned as a natural hideout a place to wait, resupply, or disappear from sight.
In a time when control of the sea was limited, landscapes like this shaped how people moved, traded, and hid along the Brazilian coast.
At Caxadaço, geography once again explains human presence.After the transatlantic slave trade was officially prohibited in Brazil, this hidden beach became one of the landing points used for the illegal disembarkation of enslaved people. Its isolation and invisibility made it a strategic and tragic part of that history.
Today, Caxadaço is one of the beaches visited during an island circumnavigation by boat, an experience that allows travelers to reach remote areas of Ilha Grande that are otherwise difficult to access.
Layers of human presence
Although today it feels peaceful, Caxadaço carries layers of memory beneath its calm surface.
If you look closely at the rocks along the shoreline, you may notice subtle marks carved into the stone. These are remains of ancient lithic workshops, created by prehistoric groups who lived on Ilha Grande more than three thousand years ago. These communities used the rocks here to shape tools and objects, long before written history. Researchers are still studying whether these early inhabitants ever encountered the Indigenous peoples later described by European colonizers making Caxadaço a place where different layers of human presence quietly overlap.
A beach shaped by rock and water
Even though it is an oceanic beach, the water here is often calm and very clear. Caxadaço sits behind a rocky point that blocks waves and visibility, creating a natural harbor a place that feels protected, quiet, and surprisingly intimate.
Arriving by boat highlights how different it is to explore
Ilha Grande by sea, compared to reaching these places on foot or through long forest trails.
Arriving by boat, take a moment to observe the surroundings. On the left side of the beach, a small freshwater stream flows directly from the forest into the sea, especially noticeable after rainy days.
On the right side of the beach, a short trail climbs over the rocks. It takes less than ten minutes, but it is steep and uneven, and the rocks can be slippery. This path is not recommended for guests with reduced mobility.
If you choose to go up carefully, the view from the top is one of the highlights of the area. On clear days, looking to the left, it is possible to see
Lopes Mendes, with its long stretch of sand and the open ocean beyond.
Views, short trails, and small discoveries
Walking through the island’s past
For those who reach Caxadaço on foot, the experience is different. Along the route, it is still possible to walk over sections of a colonial stone path, built centuries ago by enslaved people. Walking over these stones is not just a way to move through the landscape it is a physical connection to the island’s past.
Praia do Caxadaço itself is very small, measuring only about 15 meters in length. It is a wild and almost mystical place, with fine sand in golden and darker tones, surrounded by steep hills covered in dense Atlantic Forest.
Because this stop is usually part of a full day on the water, it’s worth planning ahead. Simple details like sun protection, water, and personal items make a big difference
during a boat tour
around Ilha Grande.
A place to slow down
Today, Cachadaço is valued not for infrastructure or services, but for its simplicity. It’s a place to swim, float, snorkel when conditions allow, sit quietly on the sand, and take in the surroundings.
More than just a beach stop, Praia do Cachadaço feels like a pause in time a hidden corner where nature, geography, and history come together in a subtle but powerful way.
🌿 Visiting with care makes all the difference
Caxadaço is part of a protected area, and it stays special because people help preserve it.
Take nothing from nature, leave nothing behind.
Take all your trash back with you, and if you find some litter along the way, helping remove it is a simple way to care for this place.
Camping and fires are not allowed at Caxadaço.
Domestic animals are not permitted.
Be careful on the rocks, they are impressive but can be slippery and dangerous.
To visit responsibly, take a moment to check the park rules and help protect this paradise.
👉 https://www.ilhagrandehiking.com/ilha-grande-state-park-rules-and-regulations
🌿 Enjoy the island. Help keep it wild.
Where is Praia do Caxadaço?
Praia do Caxadaço is located on the ocean-facing side of Ilha Grande, inside Ilha Grande State Park, and can be accessed by trail from Vila do Abraão or by boat.
Continue exploring Ilha Grande:
The Best Things to do in Ilha Grande
The Top 3 Boat Tours in Ilha Grande
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