Beach guide
Lopes Mendes beach: how to get there and what to expect
Almost 3 km of pale sand on the ocean side of Ilha Grande, with no road, no buildings and no bar. Getting there takes a boat and a short walk, or a proper hike.
Almost 3 km of pale sand on the ocean side of Ilha Grande, with no road, no buildings and no bar. Getting there takes a boat and a short walk, or a proper hike.
Lopes Mendes is a beach of nearly 3 km on Ilha Grande's ocean side, with no buildings or restaurants. From Vila do Abraão, take a boat to Praia do Pouso (around R$40 to R$50 return in 2026), then walk a 1 km forest trail of 20 to 30 minutes. Or hike the whole way from Abraão in about 3 hours.
It is the beach that appears on most Ilha Grande postcards, and it lives up to the photos: fine pale sand, clear water that shifts from green to turquoise, and forest right down to the dunes. What the photos do not show is that you have to bring everything you need, and plan your way back.
Lopes Mendes is east of Vila do Abraão, on the side of Ilha Grande that faces the open ocean rather than the sheltered bay of Angra dos Reis. That position explains its character. The water is clearer and a little colder than in Abraão, there are real waves, and the beach stays wild because no road and no village reach it. The closest settlements are Pouso and Palmas, two small bays a short walk away on the calmer side.
This is how most visitors go, and it is easy once you know that the boat does not land on Lopes Mendes itself.
Some full-day boat tours of the island's south coast, often sold as "Super Sul", include a stop near Lopes Mendes. They only anchor there when the sea is very calm, so do not book one of these tours if Lopes Mendes is the point of your day. The Ilha Grande boat tours guide compares them.
Yes, and many people do it at least one way. The route follows two of the state park's numbered trails: T10 from Abraão to Pouso, passing Palmas on the way, then T11 from Pouso to Lopes Mendes. Together they cover roughly 6 to 7 km and take about 3 hours each way at a steady pace, with climbs over the ridges between bays. Most of it is shaded, which helps, but the path gets muddy and slippery after rain.
A good compromise is to walk there in the cool of the morning and take the boat back from Pouso in the afternoon. Ask when you buy the ticket whether one-way seats are sold on the return boats that day, as this changes with demand. For the other trails on the island, see our guide to Ilha Grande hiking trails.
| Option | Time from Abraão | Cost (2026) | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat to Pouso + trail | Boat ride + 20 to 30 min walk | About R$40 to R$50 return | Easy |
| Hike both ways (T10 + T11) | About 3 h each way | Free | Moderate, full day |
| Hike there, boat back | About 3 h, then boat | One-way boat fare | Moderate |
| South coast boat tour | Full day | From about R$80 (schooner) | Easy, but Lopes Mendes stop not guaranteed |
Not much, and that is the appeal. People walk the length of the beach, swim in the shallow surf, read under the trees at the back of the sand, and surf when there is swell. Most visitors settle close to where the trail comes out. Walk toward the far end, where a freshwater stream runs into the sea, and the beach empties out even on busy days.
A few vendors sell coconut water, drinks and snacks in summer and on weekends, and surfboards can sometimes be rented. Outside those periods, assume there will be nothing to buy.
On calm days, the water is shallow and easy. When there is a swell, the waves break harder and currents can pull along the shore, so stay in your depth and swim where other people are swimming. The beach is exposed, with little shade at midday apart from the trees behind the sand, so a hat and sunscreen matter more here than in Abraão. Take your rubbish back with you: there is no service to collect it on a beach without a road.
Weekday mornings are the sweet spot all year: the light is soft, the sand is cooler and the day boats have not all arrived. From December to February, and on long weekends, the area near the trail fills up by late morning. The calmest months for the boat ride and the trail are usually May and June, then September and October; our best time to visit guide covers the seasons in detail. After heavy rain, expect a muddy trail and choose the boat.
Sometimes. Our shared transfer from Rio has early pickups (from 05:00 in Barra da Tijuca, 05:15 in Leblon and Ipanema, 05:30 in Copacabana) and takes about 3h30 door to door, so you reach Vila do Abraão in the middle of the morning. If the boat schedule to Pouso allows, you can drop your bags and go the same day. Most travelers keep Lopes Mendes for their first full day, when they can take one of the early boats. Either way, the trip from Rio costs R$260 one way or R$490 round trip per person, and you can book your transfer to Ilha Grande online. If you want to wake up close to the beach, our guide on where to stay in Ilha Grande covers Palmas and Pouso.
How long does it take to get to Lopes Mendes from Vila do Abraão?
By boat, count the ride from Abraão to Praia do Pouso plus a 20 to 30 minute walk on a 1 km trail. On foot from Abraão, the trail is about 6 to 7 km and takes around 3 hours each way.
How much is the boat to Lopes Mendes?
Around R$40 to R$50 per person for the return trip in 2026, a little more in high season. The boat goes to Praia do Pouso, not to Lopes Mendes itself, because the surf makes landing on the beach impractical.
Are there restaurants at Lopes Mendes?
No. There are no buildings on the beach. A few vendors sell drinks and snacks in summer and on weekends, and Praia do Pouso, at the start of the trail, has a few places to eat. Bring water and food.
Can I visit Lopes Mendes on a day trip from Rio?
Technically, but it leaves little time on the sand and no margin if a boat runs late, since the last shared transfer back leaves Abraão at 17:00. We recommend at least one night in Vila do Abraão, so you can take an early boat to Pouso the next morning.
Is Lopes Mendes good for surfing?
Yes. It faces the open Atlantic and is the island's favorite surf spot. Boards can be rented on the beach, mainly in summer and on weekends.
Our transfer picks you up at your hotel and drops you in Vila do Abraão, where the boats to Praia do Pouso leave every morning.
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