Abrolhos was the first Brazilian maritime park, established in 1983. The archipelago is 70 kilometers from the coast of Bahia and to visit it you need special permission from Ibama.

Its name stems from a note made in 1503 by the Italian explorer Américo Vespúcio when he passed through the region. “Quando te aproximares da terra, abre os olhos,” translated, “When you reach this region, open your eyes” hence ‘Abrolhos', open your eyes.

Next to the islands is Parcel das Paredes, with a rich marine fauna. Between July and November, humpback whales come to the region to breed and rear their young. With luck, it is possible to watch the acrobatics of these immense mammals, considered among the most docile on the planet.

The world population of these whales, before the period of extensive hunting, was approximately 150 thousand. Now it is estimated at 25 thousand, spread amongst all the oceans. They are on Ibama's official list os species threatened with extinction.