Gruta das Encantadas

Useful Information

Location:	Caminho da Gruta de Encantadas, Ilha do Mel, Paranaguá (-25.574160, -48.311815)
Open:	no restrictions. Only during low tide. [2020]
Fee:	free. [2020]
Classification:	sea cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Gruta das Encantadas, Av. Ilha do Mel, s/n, Paranaguá - PR
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Gruta das Encantadas is sea cave located on the southern peninsula of Ilha do Mel (Honey Island). It is located in the Ilha do Mel Island State Park and is accessible by a wooden footbridge during low tide from Encantadas and Praia da Fora. We are not really sure what the wooden bridge is for, its quite easy to walk to the cave on the beach. The views are quite exceptional and there is a beautiful beach right in front of the cave. Sounds like a nice holiday destination with cave.

Legend has it that the small caves at the island’s southern tip are inhabited by beautiful mermaids who enchant all who come near, hence the name Gruta das Encantadas. Men they lure into the cave never return home.

The geologic explanation is less enchanting. There is a basaltic dyke through the rock which is less resistant against the erosion of the wave. The cave formed by the destruction of the basalt and then the widening of the cleft. The surrounding rock is cracked and weakened by the dyke which went through. The result is a triangular shape, you can see the dyke on top of the cave protal, its almost black while the other rock is bright.