the cagarras archipelago is an uninhabited ecological paradise with a rich biodiversity, which first entered the maps of rio de janeiro in 1585 and is located approximately 5 km south of ipanema beach.

the archipelago became rio de janeiro's first marine conservation area in 2010 and comprises a number of islands called cagarra, comprida, redonda, das palmas - and islets called  ilhota grande, ilhota pequena, ilhota redonda, laje da cagarra, laje da redonda, and ilhotas da cagarra.

the origin of the name of the islands is uncertain but it is thought to come from the large quantities of excrement (containing excess calcium) from sea birds which stain the rocky slopes of the islands white.