[1] It lies on the coast of the Mar Pequeno, and is partly contained in the Cananéia-Iguape-Peruíbe Environmental Protection Area.

[2] The reserve covers an area of estuaries, mangroves, salt marsh and Atlantic forest in the estuarine-lagoon complex of Iguape and Cananéia.

The mangrove vegetation includes Rhizophora mangle, Laguncularia racemosa, Avicennia shaeuriana and Spartina alterniflora.

[4] The reserve was created to meet the needs of the traditional quilombo population of the Bairro Mandira lagoon area in Cananéia.

Its basic objectives are to protect the livelihoods and culture of these people and to ensure sustainable use of natural resources.

With greater recognition and help in marketing, the people of the reserve are proud of their environmental conservation work and the quality of their products, and are seen as leaders in the region.