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Which is better: Bombinhas or Ilha Grande?

Short answer

Bombinhas is on the Santa Catarina Coast (SC), while Ilha Grande is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ): different regions of Brazil. Bombinhas: a small peninsula of transparent green sea on the Santa Catarina coast, with dozens of beaches between rock outcrops and Atlantic Forest and the best diving in southern Brazil; Ilha Grande: Atlantic Forest, trails and green water without a single car. For this month's weather, Bombinhas has the edge.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in BombinhasBombinhas Beaches Day Trip★ 10 · 6 reviews · from US$ 18 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Most reviewed activity in Ilha GrandeAcaiá Cave & Ilha Grande Lagoons Boat Tour★ 8 · 1 review · from US$ 46 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Bombinhas Ilha Grande
Best time to visit Apr → Nov May → Aug
Weather this month 24° · 13 days of rain 28° · 13 days of rain
By car R$ 51 · from Florianópolis R$ 312 · from São Paulo
Ideal stay 3–4 days 3–4 days
Best for Adventure, Relax, Family Adventure, Relax, Romantic, Family
Choose Bombinhas if

you want a trip for adventure seekers and relaxation: a small peninsula of transparent green sea on the Santa Catarina coast, with dozens of beaches between rock outcrops and Atlantic Forest and the best diving in southern Brazil.

See guide
Choose Ilha Grande if

you want a trip for adventure seekers and relaxation: the wildest island on the Costa Verde, with Lopes Mendes at the end of the path.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Bombinhas or Ilha Grande

What usually tips the balance for your wallet is the rate on your travel dates. Check current prices for each city before deciding.

Compare hotels and places to stay in Bombinhas on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Residencial Casa Flora in Bombinhas 9.8 ★★★★★ · 42 reviews Residencial Casa Flora See on Booking → Pousada Vila do Bosque in Bombinhas 9.4 ★★★★ · 36 reviews Pousada Vila do Bosque See on Booking →
See all hotels in Bombinhas

Compare hotels and places to stay in Ilha Grande on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

See all hotels in Ilha Grande

Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

Bombinhas or Ilha Grande: which is better?
Bombinhas is on the Santa Catarina Coast (SC), while Ilha Grande is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ): different regions of Brazil. Bombinhas: a small peninsula of transparent green sea on the Santa Catarina coast, with dozens of beaches between rock outcrops and Atlantic Forest and the best diving in southern Brazil; Ilha Grande: Atlantic Forest, trails and green water without a single car. For this month's weather, Bombinhas has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Bombinhas and Ilha Grande?
The best time to visit Bombinhas is from April to November; for Ilha Grande, it is from May to August, based on INMET's climate normals (temperature and rainfall for each month). If your trip already has a date, check each destination's page for your month.
Which of the two is cheaper to get to?
By car, leaving from Florianópolis, Bombinhas is 79 km (49 mi) and costs about R$ 51 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from São Paulo, Ilha Grande is 404 km (251 mi) and costs about R$ 312 each way (fuel plus tolls). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.
Where does it rain less, Bombinhas or Ilha Grande?
Averaged over the year, Bombinhas has 12 rainy days a month and Ilha Grande has 12. The two are practically tied over the year, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Bombinhas is January and in Ilha Grande, January. For temperature, Ilha Grande is the warmer one (average high of 29° versus 25°).
How many days should you spend in Bombinhas and in Ilha Grande?
To see the main sights without rushing, Bombinhas calls for 3–4 days and Ilha Grande, 3–4 days. These are distant regions: with a week or less, it is usually better to pick one of the two and make the most of it.
Bombinhas or Ilha Grande with kids?
Both work with kids: Bombinhas (diving capital, peninsula of beaches, and crystal-clear water) and Ilha Grande (car-free village, forest trails, and paradise beaches). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure.
What should you not miss in each?
In Bombinhas: Bombas Beach and Praia Central, Mariscal Beach, Sepultura Beach. In Ilha Grande: Lopes Mendes Beach, Vila do Abraão, Pico do Papagaio. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.