Travessia Martim Afonso 2026

On February 3, 1583, these waters became the stage for a dramatic naval encounter as three English warships engaged a fleet of Spanish galleons. The skirmish resulted in the sinking of a Spanish vessel, leaving a tangible piece of maritime history submerged beneath the surf of São Vicente. Today, the modern swimmer follows a path across these same depths, participating in the Travessia Martim Afonso, an annual event that celebrates the legacy of the first permanent Portuguese settlement in the Americas, founded here by Martim Afonso de Sousa in 1532.

Navigating the landscape

As you enter the water at Praia do Itararé, the scale of the coastline becomes immediately apparent. The beach is characterized by an exceptionally wide shoreline, where the distance from the promenade to the water can stretch up to 150 meters depending on the tidal cycle, requiring a deliberate walk to reach the start line. Once in the sea, your orientation is anchored by the prominent Morro do Voturuá, a 180-meter-high landmark that serves as a constant visual guide for athletes navigating the 1500m course. To the west, the geometric silhouette of the Monument of 500 Years on Porchat Island rises against the horizon; this striking structure, designed by Oscar Niemeyer, serves as a modern compass point, perfectly aligned with the distant capital of Brasília.

While the course is focused on this historic bay, those looking to test their endurance in adjacent waters often turn to the 28ª Travessia do Canal a Nado SOAMAR, which offers a different perspective of the local maritime currents. Porchat Island itself, which acts as a natural breakwater between the bays of São Vicente and Santos, reminds swimmers of the area's tidal nature. Historically separated from the mainland only during the highest tides, it now stands as a permanent sentinel, watching over the field as they round the final buoys toward the finish.