How to Get to Ilha do Mel 2026: Boats, Prices, Schedules and Distance

How to get to Ilha do Mel (Honey Island)

Getting to Ilha do Mel is part of the adventure. There's no airport, no bridge — only by boat. But don't worry: the journey is short, safe, and the scenery along the way is worth the trip alone.

In this guide, updated for 2026, we explain all the options, with real prices and tips from locals.

Where is Ilha do Mel located?

Ilha do Mel is located on the coast of Paraná, about 100 km south of Curitiba. It is a coastal island in the Atlantic Ocean, near the city of Paranaguá.

| Information | Details |

| ------------------------- | --------------------- |

| State | Paraná (PR) |

| Region | Southern Coast of Paraná |

| Nearest City | Paranaguá (20 km) |

| Distance from Curitiba | 95 km (1h15 by car) |

| Coordinates | 25°30'S, 48°20'W |

Attention: Many people mistakenly believe that Ilha do Mel is located in Santa Catarina. It is not. It is in Paraná, although it is near the border with Santa Catarina.

Is Ilha do Mel in Santa Catarina?

No. Ilha do Mel is located in the state of Paraná, in the municipality of Paranaguá. The confusion is common because:

• It's located near the border with Santa Catarina (Guaratuba is 30 km to the south)

• The Paraná coastline is short (only 100 km), so many tourists associate the region with its neighbor

• The nearest airport is in Curitiba (PR), not Florianópolis (SC)

If you're searching for "Ilha do Mel SC," you're in the right place — but the destination is in Paraná state.

Where to start?

Ilha do Mel is located on the coast of Paraná, about 100 km from Curitiba. You have two boarding options:

Option 1: Pontal do Sul (faster and cheaper)

• Distance from Curitiba: 95 km (1 hour 15 minutes by car)

• Crossing time: 30-35 minutes

• Price 2026: R$ 44.18 round trip

• Frequency: boats every 30-60 minutes

• Parking: R$ 25-40/day

Parking in Pontal do Sul

If you are traveling by car, you will need to leave it in Pontal do Sul. There are several private parking lots near the departure terminal.

• Price: R$ 25-40 per day (varies according to season)

• Security: all have 24-hour surveillance

• Reservation: not necessary, but arriving early is recommended on holidays

• Payment: cash or PIX (some accept cards)

Tip: Don't leave valuables visible in your car. The parking lot is safe, but it's always better to be cautious.

How to get to Pontal do Sul:

1. From Curitiba: BR-277 towards Paranaguá, exit for Pontal do Sul
2. Bus: Curitiba → Pontal do Sul line (R$ 35-50)
3. Private transfer: R$ 250-350 (up to 4 people)

Option 2: Paranaguá (longer, but historic)

• Distance from Curitiba: 90 km (1 hour by car)

• Crossing time: 1 hour 45 minutes

• Price 2026: R$ 76.50 round trip

• Frequency: 2-3 boats per day

• Advantage: tour of the historic port of Paranaguá

Boat or barge: what's the difference?

Many people use the terms "boat" and "barge" interchangeably, but there is a practical difference:

| Term | What is it | Time | Price |

| --------- | ------------------------------ | --------- | ------------------ |

| Boat | Smaller, faster vessel | 30-35 min | R$ 44.18 round trip |

| Ferry | Larger, more stable vessel | 40-50 min | Same price |

In practice, it doesn't matter what you call it — the important thing is to know that both options depart from Pontal do Sul and arrive at Ilha do Mel. The term "barca" is more commonly used by locals; tourists usually say "barco".

Regardless of the name: the ticket is valid for any vessel that day. You don't choose "boat" or "ferry"—you take the next one that leaves.

Distance from Curitiba to Ilha do Mel

The total distance from Curitiba to Ilha do Mel is approximately 100 km, divided into two stages:

| Stage | Distance | Time | Means |

| --------------------------- | ----------- | --------- | ----------------- |

| Curitiba → Pontal do Sul | 95 km | 1h15 | Car or bus |

| Pontal do Sul → Ilha do Mel | 4 km (sea) | 30-35 min | Boat |

| Total | ~100 km | ~2h | Car + boat |

By bus: Direct line Curitiba → Pontal do Sul (R$ 35-50), then boat.

By private transfer: R$ 250-350 (up to 4 people), door to door.

By ride-hailing app (Uber/99): R$ 180-250 from Curitiba, but return trips can be difficult to find.

Step-by-step: Pontal do Sul → Island

Curitiba
    ↓ (carro/ônibus, 1h15)
Pontal do Sul
    ↓ (estacione, R$ 25-40/dia)
Terminal de Embarque
    ↓ (compre bilhete, R$ 44,18)
Barco para Ilha do Mel
    ↓ (30-35 min de travessia)
Ilha do Mel 🎉

Which pier to choose?

Ilha do Mel has three landing points:

| Pier | Village | When to choose |

| ----------------- | ------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |

| Enchanted | Village of Enchanted | If your guesthouse is in the south of the island |

| New Brasília | New Brasília | If your guesthouse is in the north |

| Fortress | Village of the Fortress | Only for daytime visits (no guesthouses) |

Attention: the ticket is valid for a specific pier. If you disembark at the wrong pier, you will have to hike the 3 km trail to the other village (or pay for another ticket).

Boat schedules (updated 2026)

Pontal do Sul → Island

| Departure | Frequency |

| ----- | --------------- |

| 08:00 | Daily |

| 09:30 | Daily |

| 11:00 | Daily |

| 13:00 | Daily |

| 15:00 | Daily |

| 17:00 | Daily (last) |

Island → Pontal do Sul

| Departure | Frequency |

| ----- | --------------- |

| 07:00 | Daily |

| 09:00 | Daily |

| 11:00 | Daily |

| 13:30 | Daily |

| 15:30 | Daily |

| 17:30 | Daily (last) |

High season (Dec-Mar): Extra boats as needed. Arrive 30 minutes early.

Tips to save your trip

1. Purchase a round-trip ticket.

It's cheaper and you don't run the risk of not getting a seat on the return trip (especially on Sundays).

2. Arrive early during peak season.

The boarding line can reach up to 1 hour on holidays. Arrive 1 hour before your desired departure time.

3. The sea can sway.

If you are prone to seasickness, take an antiemetic 30 minutes beforehand. The crossing is short, but the sea may be rough.

4. There are no ATMs on the island.

Bring enough cash for the entire trip. PIX works in some places, but the signal is unreliable.

5. Light luggage

There are no cars on the island. You will carry your luggage to the guesthouse. Backpack > wheeled suitcase.

How much does the entire trip cost?

| Item | Cost (per person) |

| ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------- |

| Fuel Curitiba ↔ Pontal do Sul | R$ 80-120 (divided by the car) |

| Parking (2 nights) | R$ 50-80 |

| Boat ticket round trip | R$ 44.18 |

| Total transportation | R$ 100-180 |

Find flight tickets to Curitiba.

If you're coming from another state, the quickest way to reach Ilha do Mel is by flying to Curitiba (CWB) and then taking a car or bus to Pontal do Sul. Use the search engine below to compare prices:

Tip: Buy at least 30 days in advance to find the best prices. Curitiba Airport (Afonso Pena) is 95 km from Pontal do Sul — about a 1 hour and 15 minute drive.

Next step: plan your stay

Now that you know how to get to Ilha do Mel, the next step is to plan where to stay, what to do, and how much to spend. Our complete guide to Ilha do Mel has ready-made itineraries, budget options by profile (budget, mid-range, and luxury), and tips from locals that you won't find anywhere else.