Posted on behalf of Thibault of SV Moya

Itaparica Marina,

I paid 50BRL per night for a 33ft sailboat. Electricity 110/220 volts is included, 60Hz only. Water is included and is good to drink, better to fill up bottles directly from the local fountain 5 minutes walk (to avoid a light plastic taste but that’s my experience). Wifi is good. Nice small town. Easy to bike or walk on the island. Police is on site, or not too far in town. It is possible to use buoys (and check with the marina) or anchor. The anchorage is safe, it can be a bit windy at times, no swell. An extensive sand bank is close to the marina, nice to beach at low tide I have been told, dangers are described in guides. Minimart in the village. ATM machine in the marina, no banks in town. I felt safe walking around during the day, people are friendly. The marina is cash only. Portugese only was spoken during my stay. A really nice place where to start exploring the bay.

Posted by SY Gezi on main Brazil page:
We’re on anchor in ıtaparica for almost 4 months now and haven’t been anywhere else so comfortable so far. You can leave your dinghy at the marina, get fresh water for free, and people are very friendly if you’re friendly. Had no safety problems so far, however, we lock the boat has been warned by many people.

It’s also lovely to sail around, to Rio Paraguacu, Tororo waterfall etc..Nature is amazing, loved it all…Just finding yachting equipment even in Salvador is very very difficult. So if anyone has any experience finding rigging materials, would be great to learn.

The current Marina manager’s contact is Denys Aldeota – denys.aldeota@hotmail.com
Charges as at June 2014 are quoted at Brazilian Reals R$1.00 per foot per day but negotiation will usually see a substantial discount.
Itaparica provides a very secure anchorage, in all but severe S – SW fronts, in a delightful location with beaches, bars restaurants and supermarkets on your doorstep. Being one of Brazil’s oldest settlements Itaparica boasts a rich historical background which can bee is seen in the fort, churches and quaint cobblestone streets.

As with anywhere in Brazil, there have been incidents of violent crime over the years but these are in most part precipitated by cruisers failing to follow warnings, (anchoring in secluded areas), or by ostentatious behavior ashore, (displaying wealth). The Municipal Council and businesses are keen to promote the island’s attractions and are generally outraged at any incident affecting its reputation.

There is a careening wall available for keelboats and a sand island suitable for drying out multi-hulls or lifting keels. Tidal range is over 2 meters at springs.

Wi-Fi can be accessed from the anchorage.
After 16 years cruising, including a solo circumnavigation, I now live here with my family. I chose it because I thought it was one of the nicest locations I had visited in all my travels.

Ron Llewellyn
Australian Yacht Sula.
ron-llewellyn@hotmail.com