Intro to Taipu de Fora Beach, Marau
Taipu de Fora has recently been rated among the top five most beautiful beaches in Brazil. This is a tough list to make, ranking it up there with the beaches of Fernando de Noronha, Ilha Grande, and Arraial do Cabo. The crystalline water and beautifully formed coral reef pools at low tide make this stretch of beach the crowned jewel of the Peninsula de Marau, but it should also be noted that the entire coastline of the peninsula is blessed with the same characteristics, albeit not as pronounced.
That being said, it is breathtaking in its natural beauty, and as everything in life, you’ll need to explore a little to discover what makes it so special. A short, 5 minute walk to the north or to the south, it doesn’t matter which, and you will feel a sense of smallness that comes with being completely alone on a tropical, unspoiled beach. No buildings, no cell phone signals, nobody trying to sell you stuff, and just the sounds of wind, waves, and rustling palm trees. This might cause panic in some city folks, but it’s normal around here. In fact, if you pass more than a couple of people, it’s probably rush hour! The best time to visit the Taipu de Fora beach is at low tide, so you’ll need to plan ahead just a little. Check with your receptionist or ask a local fisherman… “quando é maré baixa?”, try to make sense of the hand signals, then smile and say “obrigado”.
There are many beaches along the Bahia coast that have coral reefs and tide pools, but it’s rare to find the formations that you see here. The reef is dotted with smaller, naturally formed pools – but even more impressive are the well-defined, deep-water channels that create a surreal marine playland for snorkeling or SCUBA. At peak low tide, the water becomes transparent and perfectly still, ideal for exploring the channels teeming with colorful fish and other interesting reef dwellers. It’s easy to lose track of time, so don’t forget your waterproof sunscreen or your back will pay the price!
If you are lucky enough to be here during a full moon, come to Taipu during low tide at night. If you’re even luckier, you can catch a full moon rising over the tide pools! The reflection of a full moon on a perfectly calm and transparent sea is something you will never forget, and some of the pousadas even plan luaus and beach parties just for this event.
Send us an email and we can send more information if you are interested. And if you’re not here during a full moon? Don’t be too upset, you’ll see something equally impressive at night – the star filled night skies of the Marau coast. But trying to explain the beauty of the Bahian night sky is best left up to the poets!
Tips:
- Bring your mask and snorkel, fins are nice to have but not necessary. The other, sometimes simpler options is to rent a decent mask on the beach for 10 BRL an hour.
- Take at least one long beach walk towards the south if you want to experience the unique beauty and solitude of the Marau Peninsula. You won’t regret it.
Tours and Excursions from Taipu de Fora
Below we listed some of the popular tours that are available from Taipu de Fora. Most organized tours originate in Barra Grande, however. For a more complete list, please see our page on Tours and Activities on the Marau Peninsula.
Quad Bike Rental – Renting a quad is one of the best ways to explore the peninsula, especially along the beautiful trail that runs from Taipu de Fora to Cassange Lake, offering stunning views of the coast. We can arrange for the quad to be dropped off in the morning and picked up late afternoon, giving you plenty of time to explore the peninsula at your own pace. This is a self-guided activity (though you can hire a guide), and 2 people can ride comfortably on one quad.
Electric Bike Rental
Electric “fat tire” bikes are new to Barra Grande, and an excellent way to see the sights of the peninsula in a more eco-friendly way. They are easy to operate, totally silent, and have a long battery life. Most important of all… you can actually ride these on the beach! You can rent by the day or by the half day.
Schooner Tour – This is a party style tour that cruises slowly around the bay on a large wooden “schooner”, visiting the more popular sights around Barra Grande, such as Pedra Furada, Sapinho, Ilha de Goio, and Campinho. This tour is a good choice if you’re looking unwind, maybe have a drink or two, and get a feel for the Bahian culture, with its music, dance, and friendly people. Also a good choice for singles!
Speedboat Tour of Camamu Bay – This is a more complete tour of the Bay of Camamu since you are on a speedboat. One of the benefits of a fast boat is a visit to the picturesque Tremembe Falls which lay at the southern end of the bay. There are 5 other stops (see schooner tour), including a stop for lunch. You can choose either a shared tour with others, or charter a private speedboat, giving you privacy and more flexibility.
Hotels and Where to Stay on Taipu de Fora Beach
Every year brings more hotels, better service and improvements in infrastructure on Taipu de For a Beach. It’s a great choice for those who want to take full advantage of one of the most beautiful beaches of Brazil, without all the hustle and bustle of Barra Grande. Most of the hotels here have everything you need, including restaurants, so you don’t have to leave every time you need something. There are also more shops and restaurants within walking distance, meaning you won’t have to go far and can enjoy the beach more. You’ll have to go to Barra Grande for any nightlife, but it’s easy to get to.
Below is our list of great hotels in Taipu de Fora. For a complete list of hotels and pousadas with an interactive map, including Barra Grande, please visit our hotels and pousadas in Marau page.
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Restaurants and Bars around Taipu de Fora
Below, we put together a list of some good places to eat and drink in Taipu de Fora. To see a complete list of restaurants with an interactive map, including Barra Grande, please see our restaurants and bars of Marau page.
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How to Get to Taipu de Fora
By Plane
It’s always best to fly into Ilheus Airport instead of Salvador, if possible. Even if flights to Salvador are cheaper, you will spend almost an entire day just traveling between Salvador Airport and Barra Grande.
By Car
The best way to get to Barra Grande by car depends entirely on the road conditions along BR-030, the dirt road that runs the length of the peninsula. As a rule, the fastest and most comfortable way to get to Barra Grande is to go by the main roads (asphalt) to the town of Camamu. From Camamu, there are hourly speedboats to Barra Grande center. Most of the hotel are withing walking distance from the pier, and for other destinations there’s a taxi stand right in front of the pier.
Although it is possible to take the dirt road up the peninsula, it’s generally not recommended unless you have a 4×4. The easiest way to get there is get an airport transfer.
By Boat
In Camamu, look for Camamu Adventure, the company that offers speedboat crossings to Barra Grande. As of this writing a ticket costs R$40 per person, and boats leave hourly from 06:00 to 17:00. Alternatively, you can catch one of the boats from the Association that leaves from the public pier, just a bit further down from the bus station. Important… the last speedboat crossing is at 17:00. For more information see our page on boat transport between Camamu and Barra Grande.
For more detailed information, see our page on How to Get to the Marau Peninsula.
Other Beaches of Marau
Airport Transfer & Taxi
All of our transfers offer:
• Professional, courteous drivers
• Cars to suit your needs
• Excelent service and avalue
Serving Barra Grande, Maraú, Itacaré e and the Dende Coast