Península de Maraú is a tranquil strip of land located south of the island of Boipeba, famed for its spectacular unspoilt beaches and the buzzing, sandy village of Barra Grande. Come here for excellent surfing, sophisticated bars and restaurants, tranquil nights around the campfire, live music and sunshine.
Arriving on the Península de Maraú
Our speedboat glides across the open ocean, leaving the tranquil island of Boipeba in its wake. Soon we dock on the sunny shores of Barra Grande, a bustling, vibrant village on the tip of the Maraú Peninsula, a few hours south of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. For the majority of visitors to this vibrant strip of coastline, this is their first stop, and it certainly makes a good first impression.
Barra Grande is a laid-back village with sandy streets and coconut trees, as well as a number of rustic bars, restaurants and pousadas. The village is the area’s main tourist hub, a place for people to shop, eat and drink before venturing off to explore the peninsula’s other attractions.
Where to eat on the Península de Maraú?
This region is famous for two things – pristine beaches and incredible food. A Tapera dishes up hearty traditional fare, like moqueca, in a charming, rustic setting. Bar da Rô offers superb seafood in a sunny, riverside location. Taipu Surf House Pizza whips up some of the best thin-crust pizza you’ll find in Brazil. Be sure to visit Sol do Mutá, where you can sip a caipirinha or an ice-cold beer and watch the sun set while the sea quite literally laps at your feet. Garden Bar, in the heart of town, offers high-end sashimi and sushi rolls set amid lush gardens, with live music some evenings.
Best beaches on the Península de Maraú
As for beaches, those which face eastwards offer excellent surf, while those on the west side have calmer waters.
- Ponta do Mutá – has some great bars and is close to the village of Barra Grande. Its sedate waters and shaded shores make it ideal for children
- Taipu de Fora – considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the region. It’s great for surfing and at low tide it has vast natural rock pools which are fascinating to explore
- Cassange Beach – further south, this beachhas softer sand and a freshwater lagoon, great for swimming and snorkelling
How to get to the Península de Maraú?
By air
The nearest airport is in Ilhéus, where you can drive or take a bus to Camamu. From here, you can take a boat across to the peninsula. There are fast boats available, or you can take the slow boat (the journey takes 1.5 hours) which leaves each hour between 6am to 5pm. Alternatively, you can drive to the peninsula from Ilhéus, but the BR-030 road is in a pretty poor state. We recommend you take a 4WD, particularly in wet weather.
Alternatively, you can fly into Salvador and take a small plane down to the airport on the peninsula.
By car/bus and/or boat
Make your way to Camamu, which is about 4.5 hours’ drive from Salvador and almost 2 hours’ drive from Ilhéus (map below shows journey from Ilhéus). There are fast boats available. Or take the slow boat (the journey takes 1.5 hours) which leaves each hour between 6am to 5pm.
Plan to use your car while on the peninsula? Follow the BR-001 north from Ilhéus (see map below) or south from Salvador, then take the BR-030.
Last updated: 25 Nov 2023
Photo: Márcio Filho – MTUR