Brazilian Coast (Angra dos Reis)

Angra dos Reis — the Bay of Kings — sits on Brazil's Green Coast (Costa Verde), roughly 150 kilometres south-west of Rio de Janeiro. The bay contains over 365 islands, most of them uninhabited, covered in Atlantic rainforest, and surrounded by warm, sheltered water that provides some of the most accessible sailing in South America. Ilha Grande, the largest island, anchors the bay's southern side. The island has no roads and limited development — a handful of villages, hiking trails through dense forest, and beaches that range from busy (Lopes Mendes, consistently rated among Brazil's finest) to deserted. The anchorage at Abraao, the main village, has moorings and a waterfront of guesthouses and restaurants. The passage from Angra dos Reis to Ilha Grande takes under an hour across the sheltered channel. The charter fleet operates from Angra dos Reis town and from several marinas along the bay — Marina Verolme, Piratas, and others handle the boats. Skippered charters are common, partly due to Brazilian maritime regulations that require licensed captains for commercial vessels, and partly because the local knowledge of anchorages, reefs, and weather patterns adds value. The cruising ground is gentle. The bay is sheltered from open-ocean swell by Ilha Grande and the surrounding headlands. The wind is typically a light north-easterly, 8-15 knots, building in the afternoon and dropping at sunset. Cold fronts from the south-west arrive periodically, bringing overcast skies, stronger wind, and a temperature drop, but rarely producing dangerous conditions within the bay. The islands offer a progression of anchorages. Lagoa Azul, a shallow bay between two islets, has clear water and good snorkelling. Ilha Botinas, two small islets with a sandy bottom between them, is a popular swimming stop. The Saco do Ceu, a landlocked bay on Ilha Grande's northern coast, provides the most sheltered overnight anchorage. The winter dry season — April through October — provides the best sailing weather. The Brazilian summer (December-March) is hotter, wetter, and coincides with holiday crowds. Provisioning in Angra dos Reis is straightforward. Supermarkets and the town market cover all needs at Brazilian prices — considerably lower than the Caribbean. Fuel and water are at the marinas. Abraao on Ilha Grande has small shops and restaurants.