The day begins with one last look at Ilhabela before leaving the island behind. From the quiet southern beaches, the road heads north to the Vila, the historic heart of the island, then continues to the ferry back to São Sebastião. From there, the route turns south along the coast through Bertioga and the increasingly urban landscape of the Baixada Santista, before crossing to Santos for lunch and finishing in Praia Grande.
The Vila
Before leaving the island, this is the chance to see the Vila, Ilhabela's historic center. The compact waterfront district is a very different side of the island from the beaches and forest: colonial buildings, the old Igreja Nossa Senhora D'Ajuda, the pedestrian Rua do Meio, small shops and cafés, and the waterfront looking across the channel.
The Vila is where Ilhabela's history is most visible. The town grew around this small center, and its streets still carry that original character. A short walk is enough to take it in before continuing toward the ferry.