the biggest island in guanabara bay, ilha do governador spans 34 square kilometers on the western side of the bay, with an estimated 250,00 inhabitants.  part of the city of rio de janeiro, the island comprises of 16 districts, whilst a large proportion of the island is taken up by the antónio carlos jobim international airport.

a popular island to visit, for a quick city getaway, the small ilha de paquetá, on the north side of the bay is a quaint place, with a bucolic feel.

comprising of old colonial-style buildings, and rustic dirt roads, the island can feel a million miles away from the frenzy of the city.

comparable in size to the guanabara bay, but on the western side of the city, is the sepetiba bay.