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When one speaks of Brazil, it is impossible not to think of the natural beauty that enchants people from all over the world and awakens a desire to get closer; to experience a little piece of this land which, as Jorge Ben Jor sings, is “blessed by God and beautiful by nature.”
Bahia, a state with a magnificent coastline, is home to incredible places such as the Chapada Diamantina. Still, there is a little-explored spot in western Bahia that is well worth a visit! The town of Correntina, with just over 32,000 citizens, is known as the “land of many waters” because five rivers flow through it, the best known of which are the Corrente and Éguas rivers, the stars of our tip today.
The Sete Ilhas Archipelago (7 Islands Archipelago), 1.5 km from the centre, consists of seven small islands linked by wooden bridges, which serve as natural pools, rapids, and river beaches, appealing to all kinds of tourists. The entrance to the Archipelago is spacious and wide, with an access ramp from the street to the pavement — as the entire outer area serves as an open-air car park — and from the pavement to the entrance door, making it easy for wheelchair users to move around freely.
As these are tiny islands, they are all connected by bridges wide enough for a wheelchair, ensuring that visitors can get around independently. This walk across the bridges already gives a glimpse of the richness of the scenery and the choice of swimming spots, as there are islands with shallow, calm waters, ideal for the elderly, people with disabilities, those with reduced mobility, and children; as well as islands with strong currents, for those who enjoy adventure.
The 7 Islands Archipelago comprises the following islands:
• Ilha da Melhor Idade (Island of the Golden Years): the first of these has a current a little further from the shore, but offers small patches of calm water, forming small natural pools, ideal for swimming.
• Ilha das Crianças (Island of Children): the largest island in the area, forms a shallow (water depth up to the knees) and calm pool, with clear water and plenty of stones on the seabed. The ground is very grassy, which can make getting around in a wheelchair more difficult if you are not using a motorised wheelchair or are unaccompanied.
• Ilha dos Pássaros (Island of the Birds): a current on one side, which forms a wonderful natural whirlpool due to the force of the water; and a bit of calm on the other side, which made it my favourite island! I should point out that the ‘whirlpool area’ is formed by rocks that resemble an armchair, ideal for sitting, but transferring to it is difficult without assistance.
• Ilha dos Casais (Island of Couples): the second-largest island offers excellent swimming spots with calm waters and a few wooden benches for resting and taking photos, but the path leading to it is entirely made up of large, irregular rocks, which makes the journey difficult and causes a lot of jostling.
• Ilha das Flores (Island of Flowers): the smallest of them all has the strongest currents; as it has a lot of vegetation, it is quite difficult to navigate in a wheelchair.
• Ilha da Juventude (Island of Youth): this island is bisected by the Rio das Éguas (Éguas River) and is best suited for water sports, due to its strong currents.
• Ilha dos Namorados (Island of Lovers): unfortunately, I was unable to visit this island due to the difficulty of access, as the paths are far too narrow and overgrown with vegetation. However, it is one of the three islands with the strongest currents.
As there are many different islands, it’s easy to find a spot where you can enjoy yourself on your own or with family and friends. However, at weekends the place gets very busy, which may spoil the experience.
In the Archipelago, there is the 7 Ilhas Bar e Restaurante (7 Islands Bar and Restaurant), near Ilha da Juventude (Island of Youth), but wheelchair access is difficult, as there is a high step instead of an access ramp. With assistance, it is possible to move around the restaurant. The food is good, although there isn’t much variety, and the portions are quite generous, costing around R$35.00 per serving. There are also vendors within the Archipelago selling water, ice lollies and ice cream, cotton candy, and popcorn. The year I visited (January 2020), I was unable to use any of the toilets as the doors were too narrow: I left a suggestion before leaving, but I cannot find any information online regarding improvements.
How to get there:
Located 920 km from Salvador, the state capital, the best way to reach the town, for those wishing to spend less time on the road, is via Barreiras Airport, which is 164 km from Correntina. To reach the destination itself, in addition to travelling by car, bus services run from both Salvador and Barreiras.
Best time of year:
In the town of Correntina, the climate is hot practically all year round, with average temperatures above 30°C. The months with the highest rainfall are between October and March, with November and January seeing the heaviest downpours.
Opening hours:
Wednesday to Monday, 8 am to 6 pm (closed on Tuesdays).
Free entry.
Parking costs an average of R$20.00 (a single fee for the duration of your stay within the Archipelago).
Further information:
There are lifeguards on each of the islands, as well as signage indicating escape routes in the event of an emergency.
As the place attracts many tourists, particularly at weekends when visitor numbers triple, the best way to enjoy the archipelago at a leisurely pace and in safety is to avoid visiting from Friday to Sunday.
Although the Sete Ilhas Archipelago (7 Islands Archipelago) is not fully accessible, it is still a good option for people with disabilities to spend a few hours enjoying nature and swimming in the natural pools. There are several bins scattered around the site to help keep the area clean and tidy, and at the entrance to the Archipelago, there are various souvenirs on sale to help you cherish the memory of your trip!
Oh, before I forget, the water is very cold! But once your body gets used to it, it’s worth every second!
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