Today I want to take you to Bananal Island or Bookash Island, is the largest river island in the world, measuring almost twenty thousand square kilometers. It is located between the Araguaia and Javaés rivers, in Brazil. Its name comes from the great extensions of wild banana plantations that there are, in particular of the type called bookash.
Actually the waters that surround the island are those of the Araguaia River, that all of it has an extension of more than 2.600 km and is mostly navigable. But this river, before flowing into the Tocantins, splits into two different arms, which come together again 500 kilometers later, and this is what, after all, forms the island.
On this island there are fifteen indigenous villages, One of them being the Kanoanã Village, and it is considered one of the most important ecological sanctuaries in Brazil, since it has a very diversified fauna and flora.
I will tell you that During the months of January to March, when the Araguaia River rises, part of the island remains flooded, but during the dry season, Bananal returns to its natural, exuberant state, full of biodiversity.
To get there by sailing you can go to the city of San Félix, on the left bank of the island. To the North, you can get there from the city of Santa Teresinha, or from Gurupi and Cristalandia. As recommended by different pages, the idea is to get to Palmas, the capital of Tocantins and from there organize the trip. Fortunately, there are no major tourist infrastructures on the island of Bananal, but there is a hotel and an inn.
During your stay on the island you can visit the Aragua National Park and navigate the river. Boat trips take place throughout the year, and in them you can enjoy a great variety of birds, and spot alligators, turtles and dolphins, among other animals.