Marcelo OliveiraNew Year’s Eve on Ilha do Mel is a car-free celebration, on the sand of Encantadas or Nova Brasília, with no official stage announced. The official ferry leaves from Pontal do Sul for R$ 49 round trip and doesn’t run at night (Oct 2026), so you need to sleep on the island. You can already book a pousada in Encantadas with free cancellation.
Pousadas for New Year’s on Ilha do MelDec 30 to Jan 2 · free-cancellation options onlySee hotels ›Booking.com partner (advertising): we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
| Date | From Dec 31, 2026 (Thursday) to Jan 1, 2027 (Friday), a national holiday |
|---|---|
| Official program | No stage or show announced for New Year’s on the island as of Oct 2026 No announcement |
| Fireworks | No official display; the island’s code of conduct asks visitors not to set off fireworks |
| Is it free? | Yes: the celebration on the sand has no cover charge; pousada dinners and bar parties are paid separately |
| Ferry | Pontal do Sul: R$ 49 round trip, 30 min (Abaline, Oct 2026). Paranaguá: around R$ 80, 1h30 Current fare |
| Visitor cap | 5,000 visitors per day; the 2025 law sets a ceiling of 11,000 people on the island, residents and tourists combined |
| Entrance fee | Required by law, but the amount had not been published in a regulation as of Oct 2026 No amount yet |
| Where to stay | Encantadas to be near the pier and the bars; Nova Brasília for wide beaches and Farol das Conchas — see pousadas › |
In this article · 15 topics
- Encantadas or Nova Brasília?
- Free New Year’s on the sand
- Paid dinners and parties
- Ferry: Pontal do Sul or Paranaguá
- Visitor cap and entrance fee
- Getting there and back
- How much it costs
- New Year’s pitfalls
- Weather and what to pack
- January 1st and tours
- Kids and accessibility
- Where to stay
- FAQ
- Other New Year’s Eve spots in the South
- Is it worth it?
New Year’s Eve on Ilha do Mel: Encantadas or Nova Brasília?
For the celebration from December 31, 2026 to January 1, 2027, Encantadas is the livelier side and the closest to the ferry; Nova Brasília is the roomier side, with wide beaches, Farol das Conchas and Praia Grande facing the open sea. Pick your village before you book, because that’s where you’ll spend the night of 12/31.
Ilha do Mel sits in the bay of Paranaguá, on the coast of Paraná, and belongs to the municipality of Paranaguá. The two villages are on different tips of the island, and the official ferry from Pontal do Sul lands at both: Abaline describes Encantadas as the side with the grotto, the lighthouse and the nightlife, and Nova Brasília as the side with Farol das Conchas and the wide beaches. About 94% of the island is an Ecological Station, a protected area with no free public access, according to the Governo do Paraná.
| Criteria | Encantadas | Nova Brasília |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s vibe | Bars and restaurants along the waterfront, the busiest side | More room on the sand and smaller groups |
| Beaches | Prainha de Encantadas and Gruta das Encantadas | Praia do Farol, Praia Grande and Praia de Fora |
| Ferry | Direct landing; pier 100 m from some pousadas | Direct landing at the Brasília dock |
| Well-rated pousadas | Estrela do Mar, Kainoa, Villa Encantada, Tubarão | Praia do Farol, Plancton |
| Best for | Couples and groups who want bars and music | Families, quiet seekers and lighthouse hikers |
Sources: Abaline and the pousadas’ Booking pages, checked on 10/09/2026.
The verdict for first-timers: Encantadas if you plan to hit the bars after midnight and walk back to your pousada; Nova Brasília if you prefer a calmer celebration with family and want to climb to the lighthouse on January 1st.
Free New Year’s Eve on Ilha do Mel: the party on the sand
You can spend New Year’s Eve on Ilha do Mel without paying for a ticket: the party is informal, on the sand of Encantadas and Nova Brasília, with whoever is staying on the island. There’s no official stage or show announced for 2027.
As of 10/09/2026, neither the City of Paranaguá nor the Governo do Paraná had announced a program for New Year’s on the island. No announcement
The island is a conservation unit, and the Ilha do Mel code of conduct asks visitors not to light campfires or set off fireworks. The same document limits sound to 65 decibels at night and sets the music cutoff at 3 a.m. on Saturday, holiday and year-end nights during high season.
In practice, the celebration happens in groups scattered along the sand, in front of the pousadas and bars of Encantadas and Nova Brasília. With no cars on the island and no waterfront lighting like in a city, it’s dark outside the villages: bring a flashlight and agree in advance where your group will meet. If you want big fireworks, look for official displays on the mainland, like the ones on the Santa Catarina coast mentioned at the end of this guide.
Paid dinners and parties on New Year’s Eve on Ilha do Mel
The paid parties on Ilha do Mel are pousada dinners and nights at bars and restaurants, sold directly by the venues. As of Oct 2026 there was no island New Year’s party on sale on Sympla.
The most common format is the pousada’s New Year’s package, with a multi-night minimum stay, dinner on the 31st and sparkling wine. No 2027 announcement 2027 prices depend on each pousada; before you pay, ask whether dinner is included in the rate or charged separately, and how many nights the package requires.
| Option | Price | What’s included | Best for | Stay nearby |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pousada dinner or package No 2027 announcementSold directly by the pousadaEncantadas and Nova Brasília | Price not released for 2027 | Dinner on 12/31; some packages add sparkling wine and a minimum stay | Couples who want the night sorted | In Encantadas, near the pier: Pousada Estrela do Mar9.1Booking ›Pousada Kainoa9.8Booking › |
| Waterfront bars and restaurants No 2027 announcementPay as you goEncantadas | No cover charge announced | Music and drinks at the bar; sound until 3 a.m. on New Year’s night | Groups of friends | On Prainha de Encantadas:Pousada & Camping Tubarão8.6Booking › |
Sympla search for Ilha do Mel and Pontal do Paraná done on 10/09/2026. Parties may open sales until December.
If you’re after a party with open bar and a line-up, Ilha do Mel isn’t the destination: it’s chosen by people who want a barefoot celebration, no cars and no crowds. For a big ticketed party in the South, compare with Florianópolis and Praia do Rosa at the end of this guide.
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Ferry to Ilha do Mel: Pontal do Sul or Paranaguá?
The shortest and cheapest route is the ferry from Pontal do Sul: 30 minutes crossing and R$ 49 per person, round trip, at the official Abaline fare (Oct 2026). From Paranaguá the crossing takes about 1h30 and cost an average of R$ 80 per person in Jan 2026, according to Gazeta do Povo.
| Departure point | Duration | Price | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pontal do Sul (Abaline) | 30 min | R$ 49 round trip (Oct 2026) | Weekdays: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., every 60 min. Weekends: outbound 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and return 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., every 30 min |
| Paranaguá | 1h30 | around R$ 80 per person (Jan 2026) | Every day, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Jan 2026) |
Sources: Abaline (schedule and fare, checked on 10/09/2026) and Gazeta do Povo (Paranaguá, 01/02/2026).
On the Abaline table, seniors aged 60 and over pay R$ 36 (Oct 2026), children up to 7 travel free and, from age 8, pay as adults. The ticket is valid for any time of day, and schedules change without notice when weather or tide conditions don’t allow sailing. Buy on the official website and refuse informal boatmen at the port: Abaline reminds travelers that only certified vessels guarantee insurance and a life jacket for everyone.
Visitor cap and entrance fee on Ilha do Mel
The island used to receive up to 5,000 visitors per day, with manual control, according to Gazeta do Povo (Jan 2026) and Agência Estadual de Notícias (Mar 2026). In high season, the cap is the number one reason to arrive early at the port and have a pousada booked.
The new regulatory framework, signed into law on 03/20/2025, sets the island’s maximum capacity at 11,000 people, residents and tourists combined, and creates an entrance and stay fee, with the amount to be defined by Instituto Água e Terra (Governo do Paraná, 03/20/2025). In February 2026, the State said it was preparing the regulation for the fee and access control, with implementation planned for the first half of 2026 (Governo do Paraná, 02/12/2026).
The system described by Banda B (02/10/2026) calls for facial recognition, digital registration of tourists and ticket sales priced according to length of stay; registered residents and workers are exempt. As of 10/09/2026 we hadn’t located the published amount. Before you travel, check the Abaline website to see whether buying a ticket already requires registration or the fee.
Getting to Ilha do Mel and back after midnight
Getting back after midnight is only simple for those sleeping on the island: there’s no regular ferry at night, and the last official departure from the island to Pontal do Sul is at 6 p.m. If you celebrate on the sand, you walk back to your pousada in the same village.
Stress-free arrival for New Year’s
- Flight: the island has no airport: flights arrive in Curitiba (Afonso Pena airport, CWB). Compare cash and miles fares on FlipMilhas and arrive by the 30th.
- Road: from Curitiba to Pontal do Sul it’s about 110 km, roughly 2 hours via the PR-407 and PR-412, according to Abaline. The port is at the end of the main avenue, with guarded parking lots next door.
- Car: the island has no cars: your vehicle stays in the port parking lot. Compare rental agencies in Curitiba on Rentcars.
- Insurance (optional): covers baggage and flight delays; check Seguros Promo.
Plan your crossing for the 30th or early on the 31st: Abaline asks you to arrive 20 minutes before boarding, and the line grows on peak days. Bring carry-on luggage and a backpack, because from the dock to the pousada the way is on foot, over sand and trails.
Encantadas and Nova Brasília have no regular ferry connection at night. So spend New Year’s in the village where you’re staying: crossing the island in the dark, by beach and trail, is the biggest practical risk of the night.
How much does New Year’s Eve on Ilha do Mel cost?
The celebration on the sand has no cover charge; the real expense is the pousada, which charges a premium on the island during New Year’s week. For a couple, from Dec 30 to Jan 2, the plan ranges from R$ 1,267 to R$ 6,709 (Booking and Abaline, Oct 2026), depending on whether you sleep on the mainland or the island.
The scenarios below show 3 nights of lodging for two adults, taxes included, plus the couple’s ferry. Flights, car and meals are excluded, since they vary by home city; the pousada dinner has its own price, as explained under paid parties.
Three ways to spend New Year’s on Ilha do Mel (couple, Dec 30 to Jan 2)
- Hotel Della Economy, 3 nightsR$ 1,107
- New Year’sOn the mainland, in Paranaguáfree
- FerryDay trip to the island on Jan 1, 2 peopleR$ 160
- Hotel Pousada Estrela do Mar, 3 nightsR$ 4,800
- New Year’sOn the sand of Encantadasfree
- FerryPontal do Sul, round trip, 2 peopleR$ 98
- Hotel Pousada Kainoa, 3 nightsR$ 6,611
- New Year’sBarefoot, right in front of the pousadafree
- FerryPontal do Sul, round trip, 2 peopleR$ 98
Lodging: total price for 3 nights for 2 adults on Booking, taxes included, checked on 10/09/2026. Ferry: Abaline (Pontal do Sul, Oct 2026) and Gazeta do Povo (Paranaguá, Jan 2026).
The budget scenario comes with a clear trade-off: in Paranaguá you spend New Year’s on the mainland and only see the island by day, on January 1st. If you want the night on the sand, you need a pousada on the island, and the well-rated ones were already above R$ 4,500 for three nights (Oct 2026).
New Year’s pitfalls on Ilha do Mel: what nobody tells you
The biggest pitfall is thinking you can go and come back the same day to see the celebration: there’s no regular ferry at night. The others come from the fact that the island is a protected area with its own rules.
- No ferry at night: the last departure from the island is at 6 p.m.; without a pousada, you’re stranded.
- No pets allowed: the IAP regulation only admits animals registered to residents and registered seasonal homeowners (island regulations).
- Fireworks and campfires are out: the code of conduct asks visitors not to use either.
- Bluetooth speakers on the beach aren’t allowed in the State Park area; bar music stops at 3 a.m. on year-end nights.
- Informal boatmen at the port: buy your ticket on the official Abaline website.
- Package scams: last-minute pousadas and tickets are the most common; see the 6 most common New Year’s scams.
- Emergency: Military Police (190), Samu ambulance (192) and Fire Department (193).
Weather for New Year’s and what to pack for Ilha do Mel
December is summer on the Paraná coast: hot, humid days with rain showers that can delay or suspend the ferry, since Abaline changes schedules when the weather doesn’t allow sailing. Build a buffer day into your arrival and departure.
In your bag: a flashlight or headlamp for the night, insect repellent, a light rain jacket, flip-flops and closed shoes for the trails, and cash as a backup. Carry your trash back to the mainland, as the island’s protocol asks. The color of your New Year’s outfit has its own guide in New Year’s 2027 colors.
January 1st on Ilha do Mel: ferry, trails and tours
On January 1, 2027, a Friday and national holiday, Abaline reports operating every day of the year, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Check on the 30th whether the weekday schedule applies, every 60 minutes, or the weekend one, every 30 minutes.
January 1st is the best day to explore the island on foot. From Nova Brasília, the trail climbs to Farol das Conchas, built in 1872, with views over Praia do Farol and Praia Grande. In Encantadas, Gruta das Encantadas is a short walk from the village. Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres, from 1769, sits at the northern tip of the island.
If you’re staying in Curitiba before or after the island, there are day tours available. The first one below takes you from the capital to Ilha do Mel with transport included; the others are good for January 2 and 3.
Partner · Civitatissee all tours in Curitiba ›Ilha do Mel Excursion
Day trip from Curitiba to Ilha do Mel, with transport to the port and the ferry crossing, for those who don’t want to drive to Pontal do Sul.
- Train excursion to Morretes and AntoninaTrain through the Serra do Mar to the historic coastal townsfromR$ 584per personSee ›
- Curitiba panoramic tourThe capital’s parks and landmarks in one dayfromR$ 294per personSee ›
- Vila Velha State Park excursion + German lunchSandstone formations in the Campos GeraisfromR$ 662per personSee ›
Civitatis prices, per person, quoted on 10/09/2026. Confirm whether the tour runs on 01/01 before booking.
New Year’s Eve on Ilha do Mel with kids and accessibility
Traveling with kids, Ilha do Mel has two big advantages: there are no cars in the villages and there’s no official fireworks display, which spares the little ones from the noise. On the crossing, children up to 7 years old ride free, and from 8 years old they pay as adults (Abaline, Oct/2026).
Nova Brasília tends to be the pick for those traveling with small children, thanks to its wider sand and lighter crowds. Pousadas like Tubarão and Villa Encantada, in Encantadas, have family rooms on Booking. Bring a flashlight for the walk back to your pousada and agree on a meeting point on the sand: at night the island is dark outside the villages.
For seniors and people with reduced mobility, the island is demanding: there are no cars or taxis, and the path from the pier to the pousadas is sand and trail. Seniors 60 and over pay R$ 36 for the crossing (Oct/2026). Choose a pousada near the pier, like Estrela do Mar, about 100 m from it, and confirm wheelchair boarding with Abaline before buying.
The sewage system in Encantadas and Nova Brasília is under construction, with completion expected in December 2026, according to the Paraná State Government (Jan/2026); there may be construction stretches near the villages over New Year’s.
Where to stay for New Year’s Eve on Ilha do Mel 2027: Encantadas, Brasília or the mainland?
To ring in the new year on the sand, sleep on the island itself: Encantadas to be near the pier and the bars, Nova Brasília for wide beaches and quiet. Paranaguá, on the mainland, is the cheaper plan B, for those who accept visiting the island only by day.
The pousadas below have more than 140 reviews on Booking, with ratings checked on 10/09/2026. During New Year’s week, availability on the island is limited and nightly rates go up; go for a rate with free cancellation and check the minimum stay.
| Hotel | Nota | Faixa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pousada Estrela do MarEncantadas · A 100 m do píer: chega do barco e já está na praia da virada | 9,1422 aval. | $$$ | Ver preços |
| Pousada & Camping TubarãoEncantadas · Opção mais em conta de Encantadas para as 3 noites da virada | 8,6174 aval. | $$$ | Ver preços |
| Pousada Villa Encantada Ilha do MelEncantadas · Nota 9,7, a poucos passos da praia de Encantadas | 9,7367 aval. | $$$ | Ver preços |
| Pousada KainoaEncantadas · Pé na areia em Encantadas, nota 9,8 | 9,8208 aval. | $$$ | Ver preços |
| Maré Alta - Guest HouseEncantadas · Piscina para o dia 1º, em Encantadas | 8,6326 aval. | $$$ | Ver preços |
| Hotel Pousada Praia do FarolNova Brasília · Lado de Nova Brasília, com restaurante e recepção 24 h | 9,4165 aval. | $$$ | Ver preços |
| Pousada PlanctonNova Brasília · Nova Brasília, perto da Praia Grande e do mar aberto | 9,3168 aval. | $$$ | Ver preços |
| ibis ParanaguáParanaguá (continente) · Plano B no continente: a ilha não tem barco à noite | 8,3642 aval. | $ | Ver preços |
| Della Economy HotelParanaguá (continente) · Plano B barato no continente, com cancelamento grátis | 8,3149 aval. | $ | Ver preços |
Nota e faixa do Booking.com em 09/10/2026, para 30/12–02/01 e 2 adultos · $ até R$ 1,5 mil · $$ até R$ 4 mil · $$$ acima · como calculamos
In Nova Brasília, Pousada Plancton offers free cancellation on those dates and a 9.3 rating, a 4-minute walk from Praia Grande; it was going for R$ 10,449 for the couple’s three nights (Booking, Oct/2026). In Pontal do Sul, on the mainland, almost all the options are vacation homes with few reviews.
Other dates or another village? Search here:
The checklist below puts your bookings in the order they usually sell out, starting with the pousada on the island and ending with optional travel insurance.
0 of 5 done
- See pousadasBook pousada on the islandNow, with free cancellationWith no boats at night, sleeping on the island is what guarantees New Year’s on the sand.
See flightsBuy the flight to CuritibaWhen the fare is rightThe island has no airport: the flight lands at Afonso Pena (CWB).- See schedulesBuy the boat ticketBefore you travelR$ 49 round trip from Pontal do Sul; valid for any time of day.
- See toursBook the tour departing from CuritibaAfter setting your datesConfirm whether the tour runs on Jan 1.
See insuranceTravel insurance optionalBefore you travelCovers baggage and flight delays.
Check off what you’ve already sorted; it’s saved in this browser. Prices with a lookup date; confirm with the partner before paying.
Frequently asked questions about New Year’s Eve on Ilha do Mel
Is there a fireworks display on Ilha do Mel for New Year’s Eve?
Ilha do Mel has no official fireworks display announced for New Year’s Eve 2027. The island is a conservation area, and the code of conduct asks visitors not to light campfires or set off fireworks. The celebration is informal, on the sand at Encantadas and Nova Brasília.
How much does the boat to Ilha do Mel cost?
The official Abaline boat from Pontal do Sul to Ilha do Mel costs R$ 49 per person, round trip, with a 30-minute crossing (Oct/2026). Seniors pay R$ 36 and children up to 7 ride free. From Paranaguá, the crossing takes about 1h30 and cost an average of R$ 80 per person in Jan/2026.
Is there a boat to Ilha do Mel at night on New Year’s Eve?
There are no regular boats to Ilha do Mel at night. According to Abaline’s schedule, departures from Pontal do Sul run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the last return from the island is at 6 p.m. To celebrate New Year’s on the sand, you need to book a pousada on the island itself.
What is the visitor limit for Ilha do Mel?
Ilha do Mel received up to 5,000 visitors per day in 2026, with manual control. The law signed in March 2025 sets the maximum capacity at 11,000 people, counting residents and tourists, and provides for an entrance fee whose amount had not yet been published as of October 2026.
Where to stay on Ilha do Mel with children?
On Ilha do Mel, Nova Brasília is the calmest choice for families, with wide sand and fewer crowds; Encantadas has pousadas with family rooms near the pier. There are no cars in the villages, and children up to 7 ride the Abaline boat free.
Other New Year’s Eve celebrations in the South
If Ilha do Mel doesn’t fit the bill, the South has celebrations with official fireworks and ticketed parties. The general New Year’s Eve 2027 guide gathers destinations in Brazil and abroad; in the region, check out New Year’s Eve in Florianópolis, with a free party and paid events, New Year’s Eve at Praia do Rosa, another celebration with your feet in the sand, and the roundup of 12 New Year’s Eve celebrations in the South. To sleep in Curitiba before your trip, see where to stay in Curitiba.
Is it worth spending New Year’s Eve on Ilha do Mel?
It’s worth it for anyone who wants a celebration without cars, without a stage and without a crowd, with the night on the sand and January 1st on the trails. It’s not worth it for those looking for big fireworks or a party with a line-up. What to do now: choose between Encantadas and Nova Brasília, book the pousada with free cancellation and buy the boat ticket on the official website. Join the WhatsApp group to find out when the entrance fee is published.