Ilha das Garças

The largest of the islands off the coast of Vila Velha, Ilha das Garças has restinga vegetation where the herons build their nesting colonies. The name comes from the breeding of herons on the island, such as the great egret, the snowy egret and the cattle egret, and the black-crowned night heron also uses the area. A wooden cabin on the island serves as a monitoring base for Avidepa (Associação Vila-Velhense de Proteção Ambiental), which controls and protects the animals during the herons' breeding season. The island also has a natural pool, shells and sea urchins.