Blog · Morro de São Paulo

What is there to do in Morro de São Paulo? 12 must-dos

Updated: October 2026

Short answer: In Morro you hit the beach by day, take a boat trip or a walk in the afternoon and go out at night on Second Beach. With 4 or 5 days you can do all 12 must-dos on this list without rushing; the one not to miss is the Volta à Ilha at low tide.

What are the 12 must-dos?

1. Walk from First to Fourth Beach. The great classic: a morning, with swims along the way. It helps you decide where to spend the following days.
2. The zipline. It runs from the lighthouse hill down to First Beach: Morro's most famous image. On our site: R$95 per person.
3. Sunset at the lighthouse. About a 15-minute walk up from the village; views over the whole island.
4. Sunset at Tapirandu Fort. 17th-century ruins above the sea, next to the pier; sunset here is free and draws a crowd with music.
5. Toca do Morcego. A sunset bar and viewpoint with a DJ; there's an entry fee (from about R$50; more on peak dates).
6. A day on Second Beach. Loungers, caipirinhas and beach-bar food.
7. Fourth Beach and its natural pools. At low tide you swim among fish.
8. Gamboa. Half a day: walk there at low tide, clay, and back by boat (Gamboa guide).
9. Volta à Ilha. The most complete boat trip (Volta à Ilha guide).
10. Garapuá. A rustic village and crystal-clear natural pools; you go by 4x4.
11. Diving or snorkelling at Caitá island. Discover scuba from age 10, no experience needed.
12. A night on Second Beach. Bars, live music, luaus and parties until dawn.

What else can you do?

• Humpback whales (July to October).
• Glass-bottom kayak, banana boat, stand-up paddle.
• Sunset horse ride to Fonte do Céu.
• A private boat for your group.

What does a perfect day look like?

What to do depending on who you're with?

What if it rains?

A long lunch, a clay session in Gamboa (mud doesn't need sun), and once it clears, the viewpoint or the zipline. Boat trips are rescheduled if the Navy doesn't allow departures.

What not to do?

• A day trip from Salvador.
• Booking tours without checking the tide.
• Running out of cash: when the power goes out, the signal and Pix go down.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do on day one? Walk up to the village, stroll to Second Beach and watch the sunset at the lighthouse.

How much is the zipline? R$95 per person on our site.

Where's the best sunset? The lighthouse, Tapirandu Fort or Toca do Morcego; in Gamboa the sun sets over the channel.

Can I dive without experience? Yes, with a discover-scuba dive at Caitá island from age 10.

What can I do with kids? Fourth Beach, natural pools at low tide, glass-bottom kayak and short boat trips.

What tours go beyond Morro? Volta à Ilha, Garapuá, Moreré and Bainema, Boipeba.

Book your tours

All with prices shown on our site:

Keep reading: Morro's beaches · Gamboa · Best time to go · Getting there