Sailing to Ilha Grande: Prison Island transformed into Tropical Paradise! — Sailing Yabá

Sailing Yabá 324: Sailing to Brazil’s Most Infamous Island: Bees, Miracle Fruit & Prison Ruins (Ilha Grande) We pull anchor from the historic town of Paraty and set sail for Ilha Grande, an island famous for its pristine, sheltered anchorages, but hiding a dark, complex past. Tucked away in the calm waters of Saco do Céu, we drop anchor and connect with fellow sailors Michele and Gustavo aboard their wooden schooner. What starts as a World Cup watch party leads to some of the most surprising encounters on the island: tasting "miracle fruit" that completely flips your tastebuds, touring native Jataí stingless bees with local keeper André, and hiking up jungle trails surrounded by local dogs. Later, we leave Vila do Abraão on foot to explore the wild history of Ilha Grande. From 19th-century pirate hideouts and the crumbling ruins of the Lazareto quarantine station, to the jungle-swallowed cellblocks of the Cândido Mendes prison in Dois Rios, the exact birthplace of Rio de Janeiro’s Comando Vermelho syndicate. Next week, we point the bow toward the Marvelous City itself: Rio de Janeiro! SUPPORT THE JOURNEY ON PATREON: Want behind-the-scenes updates, early episode releases, and real-time voyage tracking? Join the community on Patreon: 👉https://www.patreon.com/sailingyaba FOLLOW ALONG: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sailingyaba #sailing #brazil #ilhagrande #boatlife #woodenboat #travelvlog ⚓ Subscribe to follow our journey: If you want to see the full haul-out and the technical challenges of maintaining a handmade wooden boat, make sure to hit that subscribe button! → https://bit.ly/3dI3hBn 💌 MP’s newsletter: https://ahoymariapaula.substack.com 🌊 MP’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ahoymariapaula 🤍 MP’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahoymariapaula/ 💙 *Support the adventure:* 🌊 *Join our crew on Patreon* → Exclusive content here: https://www.patreon.com/sailingyaba ☕ *Send us a drink* → via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=JEA5R5RUDJDLY 🧢 *Shop our gear* → Coolest T-shirts and hats here: https://shopsailingyaba.com/ 💌 *Receive letters from the sea* → Sign up (for free) for MP's newsletter: http://sailingyaba.substack.com ✨ *Want to sail with us?* We’d love to share an adventure with you! Sign up to stay in the loop: https://tinyurl.com/2vh4rz4j 🌍 Follow the journey: 📸 *Instagram* → https://www.instagram.com/sailingyaba 📘 *Facebook* → https://www.facebook.com/SailingYaba/ 🌎 *About Us:* We’re Ben & MP, a couple sailing the world (or trying to) on Yabá, our 80+ ft wooden schooner with our two dogs. But this wasn’t always our life. In 2020, we found Yabá abandoned, sinking, and on the verge of being lost forever. We had no experience in boatbuilding, only a wild dream and the determination to make it happen. We worked relentlessly, learning from the best local shipwrights and pouring everything we had into this rebuild. It took four years of sweat, setbacks, and unwavering commitment, but today, Yabá is more than just a boat, she’s our home, our biggest adventure, and the proof that crazy dreams can come true. Now, we’re sailing into the unknown, exploring remote islands, embracing the unpredictable and sharing the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Join us as we chase the horizon! → *How we restored this boat (Full Playlist)* https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJbJ9Ho_4-FzAJ6CRJN5pDgd3iVhF3N9 📩 *Business inquiries* → SailingYaba@lighthouseagents.com 🛠 *Our Partners & Discounts* 🔱 *Sea People app* → https://seapeopleapp.com/yaba (try out SeaPeople Plus for FREE for 30-days) 🦺 *Mustang Survival* (inflatable life jackets) → https://alnk.to/esZN9lE 📡 *Starlink* → https://www.starlink.com/residential?referral=RC-1922039-91176-65 (sign up and receive one month for free) ⚡ *Battle Born Batteries* → Code: *YABA* https://battlebornbatteries.com/?afmc=iz&utm_campaign=iz&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=leaddyno ⚓ *Mantus Marine* (anchors and accessories) → https://www.mantusmarine.com/?affiliates=179 💡 *Lumitec* (our cool underwater lights) → https://www.lumiteclighting.com 📶 *HolaFly eSIM* → Code: *SAILINGYABA* https://holafly.sjv.io/GKb5kk 🇧🇷 Legendas em Português em todos os episódios! 🇪🇸 Subtítulos en español en todos los episodios! #boatlife #liveaboard #sailingadventure