Ilhabela: Private Chauffeur to São Paulo's Island Paradise — Brésil

Ilhabela — Beautiful Island — sits 220 kilometres from São Paulo on the northern São Paulo coast, separated from the mainland by a narrow channel crossed by a regular ferry service from São Sebastião. The island is Brazil's undisputed sailing capital, host to the world's largest offshore regatta (Semana de Vela de Ilhabela), and home to some of the most spectacular beaches on the Brazilian coast.

The drive from São Paulo to São Sebastião follows the BR-101 and the SP-099 through the Serra do Mar — a mountain coastal road of extraordinary scenery, particularly in the final descent from the mountains to the sea. In an FFGR Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, this three-hour journey is a landscape experience of the first order.

At São Sebastião, FFGR Brazil coordinates the ferry crossing to Ilhabela. The vehicle boards the ferry for the 15-minute crossing of the canal, arriving at the island's main village of Ilhabela town. From there, the island's roads — which require local knowledge and appropriate timing to navigate efficiently — take the client to their villa, pousada, or marina.

For clients arriving for the Semana de Vela — typically held in late July — FFGR Brazil provides advance booking for both the transfer and ferry, as vehicle spaces on the ferry reach capacity in the weeks approaching the regatta. The regatta itself draws an international sailing community of extraordinary quality, and the social programme around it is as significant as the racing.

On return from Ilhabela, FFGR Brazil coordinates the ferry crossing and the São Paulo transfer with timing designed to avoid the coastal highway traffic that builds from Sunday afternoon as weekend visitors return to the city.