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Where it is and how long it takes
Itamaracá is an island on Pernambuco's north coast, linked to the mainland by a bridge. From the João Pessoa seafront to Fort Orange is about 105 km, just over an hour and a half by car on the BR-101.
It is one of the most historic islands in Brazil: in the 16th century it was the seat of the Captaincy of Itamaracá, and the Dutch occupied it in the 17th. It is also home to Lia de Itamaracá, the queen of ciranda.
Fort Orange
The Fortress of Santa Cruz de Itamaracá, better known as Fort Orange, was begun by the Dutch in 1631 and named after the House of Orange-Nassau. At first it was built of timber and rammed earth; by the end of that decade it had stone walls. After the Dutch were expelled, the Portuguese rebuilt it.
It is considered the largest stone fort in the Northeast and has been listed as national heritage since 1938. The same site housed the Itamaracá trading post, where in 1516 the first recorded sugar mill in Portuguese America was set up. Today there is a museum with archaeological finds and reproductions of period maps.
Coroa do Avião
Opposite Praia do Forte lies Coroa do Avião, a sandy islet about a kilometre long, with coconut palms, beach bars and clear water. The boat crossing takes about five minutes. The islet belongs to Igarassu, but you reach it from Itamaracá.
The crossing depends on the tide: check times with the boatmen before you go and agree on the return.
Vila Velha and the Dutch Trail
Vila Velha was the seat of the Captaincy of Itamaracá in the 16th century and is protected as an archaeological site. On the hilltop stands the Nossa Senhora da Conceição church, with a viewpoint over the channel, and the village still has old houses and the ruins of the Church of the Rosary of Black Men.
From Vila Velha starts the Dutch Trail, about 2.5 km long, running through Atlantic Forest to Praia do Forte along a path from the occupation era. Along the way are the ruins of Father Tenório's house — one of the leaders of the 1817 Pernambuco Revolution — and the wooden bridge at Porto Brasilis.
In September 2026, the Pernambuco state government finished works on the trail access: the Porto Brasilis bridge was rebuilt and the road was paved, drained and lit.
The island's beaches
- Praia do Forte: the busiest, with boats to Coroa do Avião.
- Pilar: the town beach, with a church and a lively centre.
- Jaguaribe and the Pontal: calm water and views to Coroa do Avião.
- Sossego, in the north of the island: as the name ("peace") suggests, the quietest.
The island is also known for its West Indian manatee conservation work. If you want to include a visit, check beforehand whether it is open to the public.
A day trip from João Pessoa
A day that works: leave at 7 am, reach Vila Velha and walk the Dutch Trail in the cool of the morning. Come down to Praia do Forte, visit Fort Orange, have lunch and cross to Coroa do Avião at low tide. Head back in the late afternoon.
With more time you can add Goiana and Carne de Vaca, which are on the way, or carry on to Olinda. Staying in João Pessoa usually works out better: a walkable seafront, calm sea and lower rates. Book directly with MAREVI on WhatsApp and you skip the platforms' fee.
