Revezamento Caraguatatuba × Ilhabela

In 1534, Pero Lopes de Sousa received the donation of the Capitania de Santo Amaro, a vast stretch of coastline that included the waters where this relay now takes place. His legacy remained tied to a region that struggled for centuries against isolation and the harsh realities of the tropical climate, a history of isolation that contrasts sharply with the activity of the modern swimmer. As you prepare to enter the channel, you are traversing a geography that once saw its early inhabitants flee during the 1693 smallpox epidemic, leaving behind a silence that earned the area the title of the 'village that deserted'.

The currents and the landscape

Navigating the São Sebastião Channel demands an awareness of the physical forces that define this passage. Unlike the more protected events such as the Circuito Mares, this relay forces you to contend with the complex hydraulic behavior of the strait. Keep a watchful eye for the rip currents often associated with the nearby Martim de Sá beach, which can shift rapidly with meteorological changes. As you progress, the view from the water shifts toward the Ilha das Cabras, where the large private mansion and its distinct helipad serve as a navigation point against the backdrop of the coastline. The area is also marked by the memory of the 1967 landslides, a reminder of the raw power of the Serra do Mar slopes that loom over the beaches.

Race day and local heritage

Organized by the Maratona Aquática team for its 2026 edition, this event challenges relay teams to master the crossing. The logistical demand of managing a relay across these waters is significant, accounting for the specialized support required to navigate the channel safely. While you swim, you might catch a glimpse of the coastal morphology that gave Caraguatatuba its name—a Tupi term denoting a place abundant in bromeliads. You will also pass landmarks like the Prainha's Pedra do Jacaré, a common sight for those who also participate in the Desafio 4 Ilhas later in the season. The race is a direct interaction with the maritime history of a region that was once home to the Fazenda dos Ingleses, a site that fundamentally reshaped the local economy in the early 20th century.