Ilha Anchieta is Ubatuba's best boat outing. The island is protected as a state park, with beaches, forest, rocky shore, and the remains of a prison colony that operated here until the 1950s. It is not just a pretty beach stop; the mix of nature and history gives the trip more weight than a standard schooner cruise.
Most visitors arrive by boat from Ubatuba or nearby beaches, then spend the day swimming, walking short trails, and looking through the old prison ruins near the landing area. Bring water and reef-safe sun protection, and check the return time carefully before wandering too far from the pier.