Brazil

Brazil's charter scene centers on the Costa Verde, the "Green Coast" south of Rio de Janeiro, where more than 365 islands scatter across the Bay of Ilha Grande. It's warm, sheltered, and geared toward slow island-hopping rather than open-ocean passages, with a small but growing number of remote, permit-controlled destinations for experienced sailors wanting something wilder.

Sailing Regions

The core cruising ground is Angra dos Reis, roughly 150 km south of Rio and the standard starting point for a charter. From here, boats fan out across the Ilha Grande Bay archipelago, anchoring off beaches accessible only by water. Ilha Grande itself, the largest island in the bay at 192 sq km, mixes Atlantic rainforest with 19th-century pirate and smuggling history, and its old town of Abraao has no cars. West along the coast, the colonial town of Paraty offers a cobblestone harbor and calmer bay for a final night or two. Further afield, Fernando de Noronha, an Atlantic archipelago off Brazil's northeast coast, is a UNESCO-listed marine park with exceptional diving and seasonal whale activity, but access, anchoring, and landing are all regulated by park authorities, making it a specialist add-on rather than a standard charter stop. The Abrolhos archipelago off Bahia is similarly remote and permit-controlled.

Best Time to Sail & Wind

The Costa Verde sails best from May to September (some operators extend this to April-October), Brazil's dry season, with mild temperatures around 22-26°C, minimal rain, and light to moderate easterly winds of 6-14 knots. Seas stay mostly calm with negligible tidal range. December to February brings more rain and less settled weather and is generally considered the least favorable stretch, despite warm air temperatures near 27°C. Brazil's south Atlantic coast sits outside the main hurricane belt; tropical cyclones here are rare, so there's no Caribbean-style storm season to plan around.

Licence Requirements

Brazil's Maritime Authority (Marinha do Brasil) recognizes valid foreign boating and sailing licences issued by other countries' maritime authorities, so most charter operators in Angra dos Reis will accept a recognized qualification (ICC, RYA, ASA, or national equivalent) alongside a sailing resume documenting experience on a similarly sized yacht. Given the density of the 365-island archipelago and its local pilotage quirks, many charterers, including qualified ones, opt for a skippered or hostess-assisted charter for at least the first days. Bareboat is offered to sailors who can show adequate documented experience; always confirm exact paperwork with the operator before booking, as requirements are applied at the company level rather than by a single national bareboat standard.

Sample Itinerary

A classic 6-7 day loop out of Angra dos Reis:
- Day 1: Depart Angra dos Reis, sail to Ilha Grande, anchor off Lopes Mendes beach.
- Day 2-3: Explore Ilha Grande's coves, including Abraao village and Freguesia de Santana; snorkel at Saco do Ceu.
- Day 4: Cross to Paraty, anchor near the colonial harbor.
- Day 5: Day-sail among the smaller islands between Paraty and Angra, stopping at Ilha do Algodao or similar beach anchorages.
- Day 6-7: Return route via Ilha Grande or direct back to Angra dos Reis, with a final swim stop at Lagoa Azul (Blue Lagoon).

FAQs

Do I need a sailing licence to charter in Brazil?
Brazil doesn't run a single unified bareboat standard for foreign charterers. The Marinha do Brasil recognizes valid foreign sailing licences, and operators typically want a recognized certificate (ICC, RYA, ASA, or similar) plus a documented sailing resume before releasing a bareboat yacht.

When is the best time to sail the Costa Verde?
May to September, Brazil's dry season, when winds are a steady 6-14 knots from the east, rain is minimal, and temperatures sit around 22-26°C.

Can I sail to Fernando de Noronha on a charter?
It's possible but not standard. Fernando de Noronha is a protected marine park with regulated anchoring, landing, and activity permits, so trips there are usually arranged as specialist, permit-coordinated voyages rather than an extension of a normal Costa Verde bareboat itinerary.

Does Brazil have a hurricane season to avoid?
No, not in the Caribbean sense. Brazil's south Atlantic coastline lies outside the typical hurricane belt and tropical cyclones are rare, though the December-February period brings more rain and less settled sailing weather.