the monumento natural do arquipélago das ilhas cagarras (natural monument of the cagarras islands) is classified as a federal conservation unit, which has become one of the most important areas of preservation within rio de janeiro.

enjoying the status of área de relevante interesse ecológico (area of special environmental interest) the archipelago, formed by seven islands, is only 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the shores of ipanema and it is perfectly visible from the beach. the archipelago is constantly photographed from the shores, yet it remains an area mostly unknown to residents and visitors alike.