frade is located in the middle of a haven of natural beauty, with the five 'praias selvagens' to the east (preserved by the city of rio) and restinga de marambaia to the west (preserved by the brazilian navy). 

in 1710, a french force of 1,200 men under the command of admiral j. f. duclerc anchored near ilha do frade at the outset of their attempt to invade rio de janeiro.