Swim Alcatrazes

The Alcatrazes Archipelago, situated off the coast of São Sebastião, holds an aura of exclusion. For years, these waters were strictly off-limits to the public, functioning as a vital sanctuary under the protection of the Tupinambás Ecological Station. Today, the Swim Alcatrazes provides a rare window into this environment, operating under rigorous permits from the Brazilian Navy and ICMBio to ensure the preservation of its fragile ecosystem. Because access to the archipelago is limited to a small number of authorized vessels, the race maintains a capped field of 60 athletes for the 7 km ultra-distance and 50 for the 3.8 km long course. This logistical reality, necessitated by the strict environmental oversight required to maintain the archipelago's status as a gold-level Blue Park, defines the exclusive nature of the event.

A marine sanctuary in motion

Swimming here is an exercise in navigating raw, protected nature. The islands, isolated since the end of the Pleistocene, host a remarkable level of endemism, with species like the Alcatrazes lancehead and the Alcatrazes tree frog evolving in complete seclusion. As you traverse the course, you are moving through a site that hosts over 10,000 breeding seabirds, creating a sensory experience far removed from typical coastal swims. The 7 km ultra-distance demands a full circumnavigation of the main island, while the 3.8 km course utilizes the most sheltered sections of the archipelago. On January 31, 2027, participants will gather at Praia do Perequê in Ilhabela for the crossing, carrying the necessary medical documentation required by the organizers to confirm fitness for this open-water challenge. The water itself remains a pristine, controlled laboratory of biodiversity, demanding respect for the strict regulations that keep this archipelago preserved as one of the most significant marine sanctuaries in the South Atlantic.