today, however, the beaches of ilha do governador are not on many touristic maps, but this was not always the case - in fact, not long ago the island still had beautiful sandy shores to go with the gorgeous views from this corner of the city. The island's coastline was a widely popular destination amongst locals and vacationers for a significant portion of the 20th Century because of the sensational views it offers, facing guanabara bay, as well as its safe, calm and peaceful waters. In the 1930s, Vinicius de Moraes, the famous poet and diplomat, spent the summer seasons with his family on cocotá beach, and he wrote fondly about his experiences there, mentioning, amongst other things, the attractive almond trees.
