One of the best beaches to surf in Ilhabela is Baía de Castelhanos, which is located 22 km (14 miles) east of the ferry dock. To get there you'll need a four-wheel-drive vehicle, and if it rains even this won’t be enough. Consider arriving by sailboat, which demands a 1½- to 3-hour trip that can be arranged through local tour operators. If you’re lucky, you might spot a dolphin off the shore of this 2-km (1¼-mile) beach—the largest on the island. Pacuíba, which is located 20 km (12 miles) north of the ferry dock, also has decent wave action. The main beaches on the island are busy most of the year; the months of July and August are colder and much quieter. Boards can be rented in surf shops, ever-present on most beaches.

Many of the Brazilian windsurfing champions are based in Ilhabela and also train here. Savvy kitesurfers and windsurfers head to Ponta das Canas, at the island’s northern tip. Side-by-side beaches Praia do Pinto and Armação, both located 12 km (7 miles) north of the ferry dock, also have favorable wind conditions.

BL3. You can take kitesurfing, windsurfing, and sailing lessons at BL3, the biggest school in Ilhabela. Individual lessons are priced from R$200. Av. Perimetral Norte 4260, Ilhabela,11630–000. 012/3286–5885; www.bl3.com.br.