Ilha Grande named the 13th most beautiful island in the world in 2026

Anyone who has set foot on Lopes Mendes or seen the Blue Lagoon at dawn knows it: Ilha Grande is no ordinary place. Now the world has agreed in writing — Big 7 Travel (via Enjoy Travel) placed our island 13th among the 50 most beautiful islands on the planet to visit in 2026, the only Brazilian destination on the list.

The news broke in early July and spread across Brazil. And here, for those who wake up to this scenery every day, the feeling is twofold: pride in seeing Ilha Grande beside giants like Sri Lanka and the Galápagos, and that quiet smile of "we always knew".

The recognition

13th among the 50 best islands in the world

The ranking gathers fifty islands from every continent, chosen from social-media buzz and the editorial team's assessment. Among so many paradises, Ilha Grande was Brazil's only representative — and not by chance. The description that comes with the placement sums up what we feel here every day:

"A truly preserved paradise, blanketed in Atlantic Forest and ringed by beaches of crystal-clear water and coral reefs."— 50 Best Islands in the World 2026, Big 7 Travel

Why it enchants

What makes Ilha Grande a preserved paradise

The answer fits in three words: forest, sea and silence. Ilha Grande is part of the Costa Verde, on the southern coast of Rio de Janeiro, and much of it is protected land. No cars run here — you move on foot, by trail or by boat — and it is precisely that lack of rush that keeps the forest full and the water clear.

Aventureiro Beach · Ilha Grande

There are more than a hundred beaches, each with its own temperament: the bright-white sand and open sea of Lopes Mendes, the calm emerald green of the Blue Lagoon, the reefs of Freguesia de Santana. And above all, the Atlantic Forest spilling down to the water's edge, as if the jungle were bathing in the sea beside you.

Caxadaço Beach · Ilha Grande

In practice

How to visit the most beautiful island in Brazil

If the list stirred your urge to travel, the good news is that getting here is simpler than it seems. Ilha Grande is just a few hours from Rio de Janeiro, and the boat crossing is already part of the experience.

From the mainland we arrange your whole journey with a ground transfer from Rio and the boat crossing on certified vessels, with reliable schedules and a guaranteed seat. Once here, simply choose between boat tours along the beaches or the trails that cut through the Atlantic Forest — from the Pico do Papagaio viewpoint to the path to Lopes Mendes.

If you'd rather have everything sorted at once, book a package with lodging, transport and tours and enjoy the island worry-free. And if any question comes up along the way, Ilha Tour Support is with you from start to finish.

FAQ

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