An island that still breathes

APA of the Tinharé and Boipeba Islands

Boipeba lies within the Environmental Protection Area (APA) of the Tinharé and Boipeba Islands, created by state decree in 1992, in the municipality of Cairu. The unit covers tens of thousands of hectares and includes settlements such as Velha Boipeba, São Sebastião and, on the neighbouring island, Morro de São Paulo.

Relatively difficult access helped keep ecosystems in a high state of preservation — compared with more urbanised stretches of coast.

What you feel (and see)

• Mangroves — nursery of life, river landscape, the taste of oysters
• Restinga and coconut groves — framing the long beaches
• Reefs — the base of Moreré and Tassimirim pools
• Atlantic Forest remnants — shade and bird song on the paths
• Wildlife — birds, marine life; sensitive species belong to the protected territory

Why the house sits beside the APA

Verde e Mar was planned to sit 50 metres from the beach and next to conservation. Not brochure scenery: neighbours. You come back from a swim to green, not to an avenue.

How to visit with respect

• Don’t tread on coral in the natural pools
• Take rubbish back — especially at Bainema and Castelhanos
• Prefer lower-impact sunscreen when you can
• Book tours with operators who respect tide and sensitive areas
• Don’t take shells, coral or animals

Tourism and conservation

The APA also orders use: artisanal fishing, historic villages and visitation share the same map — as long as disordered occupation and pressure on the mangrove don’t win. Travelling light is the most luxurious way to be here.