All Saints Bay (Baía de Todos-os-Santos) is toured on half-day to full-day routes, boarding from Porto da Barra, Marina Bahia, Terminal Náutico or the Mercado Modelo pier in Salvador. The essential circuit includes Ilha dos Frades (tourism fee of about R$ 25 per person), Itaparica Island and Ilha de Maré, with private day rates between R$ 1.700 and R$ 4.400 (May 2025). The boat sunset at the Barra Lighthouse is the route's mandatory closing.
Sumário
- Por que a Baía de Todos-os-Santos é única
- Roteiro de meio dia: sunset na Barra
- Roteiro de dia completo: o circuito das ilhas
- Ilha dos Frades
- Itaparica e Ilha de Maré
- Praia do Forte e roteiro estendido
- Embarcar, custos e regras
- FAQ
Why All Saints Bay is unique
All Saints Bay is Brazil's largest navigable bay, with a vast protected sea area between Salvador, Itaparica and the recôncavo. This scale changes the pattern of Northeastern trips: here you don't sail open coast, but an inner sea that accepts vessels for days after the wind picks up. The practical result is stable navigation between September and March, with an extra window from July to October, when low season holds occupancy and prices. The bay is also the best setting for late afternoon: the sun sets behind the islands and the Barra Lighthouse frames the return.
Half-day route: sunset at Barra
| Time | Program |
|---|---|
| 3pm | Boarding at Porto da Barra or Terminal Náutico |
| 3:30pm–5pm | Navigation along the Corredor da Vitória and Barra coves |
| 5pm–6pm | Anchor for swimming and sunset off the Barra Lighthouse |
| 6:30pm | Return to the boarding point |
The half-day route is Salvador's most sought-after and the gateway for first experiences: 3 to 4 hours of navigation along Salvador's urban facade, between the Corredor da Vitória and the Barra coves, culminating in the sunset anchored before the Barra Lighthouse. It works well on smaller speedboats or sailboats — Salvador's sailboats sail at R$ 1.700 to R$ 3.100 — and is the ideal format for couples and groups with little time. On livelier sea days, the cove keeps anchoring protected.
Full-day route: the island circuit
| Time | Program |
|---|---|
| 8:30am | Boarding at the Mercado Modelo pier or Marina Bahia |
| 10am | Arrival at Ilha dos Frades, payment of the tourism fee |
| 10am–1pm | Frades beaches, inner-sea water, lunch at a beach tent |
| 2pm–4pm | Crossing to Itaparica or Ilha de Maré, second stop |
| 4:30pm–6pm | Return passing the Barra Lighthouse |
The full day delivers the essence of the Bahia archipelago: early departure, main stop at Ilha dos Frades with a tourism fee of about R$ 25 per person, lunch at a beach tent, then an afternoon swim at Itaparica or Ilha de Maré. Private day rates run between R$ 1.700 and R$ 4.400 and speedboats above R$ 8.800 for large groups; schooners from R$ 2.750 carry 30 people in the shared format. The return via Barra closes the day with the city's best horizon.
Ilha dos Frades
Ilha dos Frades is the bay's number-one destination: vacation colonies, warm calm inner-sea beaches and the view of the recôncavo mountains in the background. The main landing is at Ponta de Nossa Senhora, near the historic houses and Bahian food tents; the tourism fee of about R$ 25 per person is charged on arrival. Swimming is safe for children, which makes the Frades the bay's family destination. In high season, December to February, the main beaches receive several vessels — July to October is the window of peace.
Itaparica and Ilha de Maré
Itaparica is the bay's largest island and works as an independent day destination: long beaches, villages and typical restaurants spread along the east coast, easy to sail from Salvador in under 2 hours. Worth mooring at Mar Grande or continuing along the coast for calmer coves. Ilha de Maré, smaller and rustier, interests those who enjoy fishing villages and short walks; its beaches have shallow water and sandy bottom. Both points usually enter as the second stop of the full-day route, and both suffer tide influence — the shallow anchoring requires attention to the departure time.
Praia do Forte and the extended route
For those with a day and a half, the bay's natural extension is the route to Praia do Forte, on the north coast of Salvador, where the natural pools protected by reef and the eco-resort structure are. The crossing through the bay mouth is longer — about 3 hours at tourist pace — and requires favorable weather, which is why the program enters as an extended route and not in the standard circuit. Boardings leave from Terminal Náutico and combine bay navigation with the open-coast sea of Praia do Forte. It's the preferred option for those who want a day with more sea and less time moored.
Boarding, costs and rules
Salvador's boarding points — Porto da Barra, Marina Bahia, Terminal Náutico, Marina Aratu and the Mercado Modelo pier — distribute access between the lower and upper city, making routes of all sizes easier. Reference ranges from May 2025: typical day rate R$ 1.700 to R$ 4.400, speedboats R$ 2.000 to R$ 8.800, sailboats R$ 1.700 to R$ 3.100, catamarans R$ 2.500 to R$ 4.950 and 30-seat schooners from R$ 2.750. All vessels depart with a licensed skipper and insurance; fuel must be confirmed at closing. A 50% deposit via Pix secures the date, standard practice in the Brazilian market.
FAQ
What are the boarding points for the boat trip in Salvador?
Porto da Barra, Marina Bahia, Terminal Náutico, Marina Aratu and the Mercado Modelo pier. The choice changes the time to the islands: from the lower city, the Frades are closer; from Porto da Barra, the sunset is immediate.
How much does the boat trip on All Saints Bay cost?
Private day rates between R$ 1.700 and R$ 4.400; speedboats for larger groups from R$ 2.000 to R$ 8.800; sailboats R$ 1.700 to R$ 3.100; schooners from R$ 2.750 for 30 people. The shared format is the most economical option. Ranges from May 2025.
What does the Ilha dos Frades tourism fee include?
About R$ 25 per person, charged on arrival at the island for destination maintenance. It's not included in the vessel rental. Worth having cash or card, according to the local operation at the landing point.
What's the best route for a first contact with the bay?
The 3 to 4-hour sunset departing from Porto da Barra, with a swim off the Barra Lighthouse. It's short, protected and shows Salvador's most beautiful facade. Those with a full day should trade it for the Frades + Itaparica or Ilha de Maré circuit.
Sailboat or speedboat for navigating the bay?
A sailboat delivers experience and lower cost (R$ 1.700-3.100), but depends on wind; the bay has regular, though not guaranteed, conditions. A speedboat (from R$ 1.700-4.400) is always on schedule. For the sunset, a sailboat; for the island circuit, a speedboat.
What's the best season for the trip?
September to March for stable seas, with July to October as the low-season window with the best values. December to February is high season, with more vessels at the Frades and higher day rates.
Can I do the extended route to Praia do Forte?
Yes, from Terminal Náutico, with about 3 hours of crossing and favorable weather. It includes Praia do Forte's natural pools and closes a day-and-a-half route well, but prefer days without strong wind at the bay mouth.
Do I need a license for the trip?
No, for rentals with a licensed skipper, the dominant practice in Salvador. Self-driving with an Amateur Skipper license (Arrais Amador) only applies to smaller vessels, upon operator confirmation. Also confirm whether fuel is included in the day rate.
CTA
Salvador delivers some of Brazil's safest seas to navigate. The Voguer team puts together the route — sunset or the complete island circuit — and compares bay rental companies in a single service. Talk to us via WhatsApp at voguer.com.br.
