The Meaning of Parnaioca

The name Parnaioca comes from Tupi-Guarani and can be translated as “shelter from the sea.” The meaning fits perfectly.

This is an open-ocean beach stretching for nearly one kilometer, surrounded by valleys and mountains, crossed by freshwater streams, and completely disconnected from conventional infrastructure. There is no public electricity grid here. What you hear, day and night, is the sound of the waves.

Reaching Parnaioca: By Sea or on Foot

Parnaioca can be reached either by boat or on foot, and the way you arrive already sets the tone of the experience.

Those arriving by sea experience Ilha Grande from a different perspective, navigating along the Atlantic coast on routes that naturally connect some of the island’s most beautiful and remote beaches  turning the journey itself into part of the experience.

When arriving by boat, it’s worth taking a moment to explore beyond the shoreline. The freshwater river and waterfall, located on the right side of the beach, are highlights of Parnaioca and well worth the short walk inland. Depending on where the boat anchors, this area may feel a bit farther away, so visiting it earlier helps make the most of the stop.

The right side of the beach also offers good conditions for snorkeling on calm days, with clear water near the rocks and plenty of marine life to observe.

Boat arrival times are usually when the beach feels most lively, as different tours tend to arrive around similar hours. Walking a little farther from the main landing area or heading toward the river often reveals quieter corners of the beach.

Hiking from Vila do Abraão and Passing Through Dois Rios

The Longest Forest Crossing on the Volta à Ilha

This section of the trail is known as the longest continuous stretch fully inside the Atlantic Forest along the Volta à Ilha route.

For hours, hikers walk beneath dense canopy, crossing streams and valleys, surrounded by the constant sounds of water and forest life.

Parnaioca was not always this quiet.

For decades, this valley sheltered one of the largest communities on Ilha Grande. Fishing and small-scale agriculture shaped daily life, and families lived spread along the beach and the lower slopes of the forest.

Most houses were built using pau a pique, a traditional construction technique made of wooden frameworks filled with clay and earth. These materials were locally available and made sense in a place where transporting bricks, cement, or heavier materials was nearly impossible.

Because of this, little remains standing today. Time, rain, and vegetation slowly reclaimed what once was a village. Walking through Parnaioca is also walking through what is no longer visible.

Near the beach, one structure still plays an active role in the life of Parnaioca: the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Simple and well cared for, the church is still open and maintained by the local community. Although regular masses are no longer held, it remains a meaningful place for residents and visitors alike.

Right next to the church, a small cemetery reinforces the sense of continuity, reminding visitors that Parnaioca is not just a landscape, but a lived place.

Today, only a few families still call this valley home, maintaining their connection to the land and welcoming visitors mainly through small-scale tourism.

After hours walking through forest and valleys, the beach opens suddenly.

Parnaioca reveals itself wide, raw, and exposed to the Atlantic. Stronger waves, deep waters, and limited shade naturally slow visitors down. Freshwater streams flowing into the sea offer moments of calm, while the open horizon reinforces the feeling of distance from everyday life.

Local Tips: How to Experience Parnaioca

On calmer days, the left side of the beach offers excellent conditions for snorkeling. The water tends to be clearer near the rocks, and it’s common to spot colorful fish and, with some luck, sea turtles.

On the right side of the beach, the Parnaioca River flows into the sea. A short walk upstream, a narrow trail follows the river toward small waterfalls and natural pools, perfect for cooling off in fresh water surrounded by forest.

Parnaioca is also a rewarding place for birdwatching and wildlife observation. Because the surrounding forest remains well preserved, several species have been recorded here, including the endangered Chauá Parrot (Amazona rhodocorytha), large forest birds locally known as Pavó (Pyroderus scutatus), and even occasional visits from the King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa).

Near the river and along parts of the shoreline, attentive visitors may notice subtle marks on rock surfaces, known as lithic workshops, left by ancestral peoples who inhabited the island thousands of years ago.

As the day slows down, Parnaioca offers one last gift.

Sunsets here are among the most beautiful on Ilha Grande.

Visiting with care makes all the difference