Morro de Sao Paulo

Morro sits at the northern tip of Tinhare island and has no cars - luggage is taken by wheelbarrow from the jetty up the slope to the village. Its beaches are numbered rather than named, running south from the jetty: Primeira is small and has the zip line into the sea, Segunda is the busy one with bars and music, Terceira and Quarta are quieter with reef pools at low tide, and Quinta is a long walk or boat ride away. Above the jetty stand the ruins of the Forte de Tapirandu, built from 1630 to guard the approach to Salvador's sugar hinterland, and a lighthouse. The village is developed and lively, with nightlife on Segunda most nights in season.

History

The Tupinambá lived here in large numbers before the Portuguese, and Martim Afonso de Sousa, who landed in 1531, named the island Tynharéa, which the Bahian accent soon turned into Tinharé. In 1535 Francisco Romero founded the village of Morro de São Paulo at the northern tip of the island together with the local people (Wikipedia, Morro de São Paulo).

What to look for

• Numbered beaches - Primeira to Quinta running south from the village.
• A wheelbarrow port - luggage carried up from the jetty, no cars anywhere.
• The Tapirandu fort ruins - a 1630 work above the landing.
• Reef pools at low tide - on Terceira and Quarta.

When to go

September to March. Three days.

What to expect

The catamaran from Salvador is often rough and seasickness is common; the Valenca route is longer but calmer. The climb from the jetty with luggage is steep. Segunda beach is loud until late. Prices in peak season rise steeply.

Nearby

Boipeba is south across the sand; Valenca is on the mainland.