By Redação PortalPortuario
The /2026 maritime cruise season already has a start date in Bahia: October 8th. The program is opened by the elegant Scenic Eclipse, the first ship to dock in the capital of Bahia, with 228 passengers. The first large ship of the season will arrive on October 21st, with 4,345 tourists.
This year, the state will concentrate the largest number of stops in the Northeast, with the arrival of 76 ships, 18 in Ilhéus and 58 in Salvador, until April 29, 2026. The capital of Bahia will also be the starting point for unprecedented expedition trips, such as the SH Vega cruise to the southern coast of Bahia. The data is from the Federal Port Authority of Bahia – CODEBA, which manages the public ports of Bahia.
The Business and Market Relations Director of CODEBA, Demétrius Moura, highlights the characteristics that make Bahia one of the most sought-after destinations for nautical tourism. “We have two cities that are the cultural and social cradles of Brazilian civilization: Salvador, with all its historiography and culture; and Ilhéus, with everything that the writings of Jorge Amado have already shown. Furthermore, Salvador is the only port in Brazil where the tourist gets off the ship and can walk to the main tourist spots. This proximity of the port to the historic center and to various tourist spots, together with the integrated forces of the Federal Port Authority of Bahia, the City Hall, the State and all the organization to provide the best experience for tourists, make these ports extremely attractive.”
The circulation of nautical tourism passengers has been one of the highlights of port activity. Data from the Ministry of Tourism indicate that the /2025 cruise season consolidated the sector as one of the most powerful gears of the Brazilian economy. It moved R$ 5.43 billion, an increase of 3.8% compared to the previous cycle, creating 84.6 thousand jobs (+5.3%), with 1,617 for crew members and 82,985 direct, indirect, and induced jobs in sectors such as tourism, hospitality, commerce, food, transport, and services. In the last season, CODEBA received 75 ships and moved approximately 253 thousand passengers. Now, the expectation is to further expand this movement, with the arrival of 76 cruises in the /2026 season, boosting the economy and reaffirming Bahia as a dream destination for travelers from all over the world.
To ensure comfort and safety for visitors and optimize port operations, CODEBA has been modernizing its terminals. The redevelopment of the Salvador pier will make disembarkation more fluid, facilitate the circulation of tourists, and streamline the operational routine. In Ilhéus, the ongoing studies aim to expand the port’s capacity, allow the docking of larger ships, and improve the road system, ensuring a better reception for cruise passengers without compromising cargo flow. Sustainability is also part of the investment plan. The decarbonization and pier electrification program, already started in Salvador, will allow the electric supply of tugboats, reducing the emission of polluting gases.
