Ilha do Mel

Ilha do Mel

From Pontal do Sul, 48km/30mi east of Paranaguá, there are boats (about 30 minutes) to the Ilha do Mel ("Honey Island"), a beautiful and still unspoiled nature reserve. In the village of Nova Brasília there are a number of pousadas, but many visitors prefer to rent a fisherman's cottage or camp on the beach. On the island are the fort of Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres or Forte Barra (1767) and the Farol das Conchas, a 60m/200ft high lighthouse of 1872. Also of interest is the Cueva das Encantadas ("Enchanted Cave"). The best known beaches are Cassual, Ponta do Bicho and Fortaleza to the north and the Praias do Farol, Grande, do Miguel, de Fora, Encantadas, Nova Brasília and do Limeiro to the south.