WELCOME TO ILHA DOS COCOS
A slip of an island adrift off Brazil’s Costa Verde, Ilha dos Cocos offers a slower, quieter kind of escape.
Set just off the coast from Paraty, accessible by a 25-minute boat journey, it feels wonderfully remote yet easily within reach. It’s the kind of place that slips easily into fantasy: pale sand, dense Atlantic forest, and water that glows turquoise in the midday light. This is a place for taking things slowly: swimming between snorkel spots, reading in the shade, long lunches on the deck.
The project is the work of Seb and Luisa from Estúdio Orth, who’ve restored and repurposed the island’s original buildings into a guesthouse for twelve. There are six suites in total, spread across three houses, each one carefully considered but free of pretension.
What we love about Ilha dos Cocos
- The six beautifully-designed guest suites, across three buildings: three in the main Casa Principal, one in the cliffside Cabana do Pescador, and two in Casa Mirim (one with a private plunge pool, the other with a sea-facing deck). All have king-size beds, air conditioning, and ensuite bathrooms.
- The proximity to Paraty – a beautifully-preserved colonial town filled with independent boutiques, working artisans, excellent restaurants and a strong sense of history.
- The food: simple, superbly fresh, cooked daily by the island’s team and served communally on the veranda or on the main deck.
- The private 80m² beach deck equipped with loungers, snorkelling gear, beach floats, and a freshwater shower.
- The perspective it offers; from the boat, looking back at the Costa Verde, you see Brazil in all its cinematic splendour.
- The sustainability factor: Ilha dos Cocos is run on renewable energy, primarily solar. Water is desalinated or captured via rain, and ecological sanitation is handled through biodigesters.
What to do at Ilha dos Cocos
Most days begin with a swim and end with a slow drink as the sun drops behind the mainland hills.
In between, there’s snorkelling over coral gardens, paddleboarding around the island, tracing the 4km hiking trail to a lookout with panoramic views of the archipelago.
Boat excursions can be arranged to nearby bays, waterfalls, and mangrove creeks. Highlights include the fjord-like Saco do Mamanguá and the amber-coloured waters of the Juatinga Reserve. Scuba diving is available for those with advance notice; the visibility here is excellent, and marine life abundant.
At night, if conditions are right, swim out to the island’s grotto and witness its bioluminescent phytoplankton sparkling as each stroke cuts through the water.
When to Travel
From December to March expect bright days, calm water and warm evenings. While this is peak season in Brazil, Ilha dos Cocos is far removed from the crowds.
From April to November, you’ll experience quieter waters and cooler nights, with the chance of tropical rain.
Looking for more inspiration? Learn more about our bespoke holidays and adventures in Brazil, or discover our other luxury properties.
