According to IBGE, Caraguatatuba Microregion has a GDP of R$2,019,94,.048,00 and a population of 281,532 people spread over an area of 1,947.702 km², which means that the density is 144.5/km².

All four cities relied on agriculture and fishing as its main economic activities for most of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, whereas São Sebastião served as a major sugar cane, coffea and tobacco production site.

This made it possible for the region to make money out of tourism, via hotels, restaurants, handicraft stores and nightclubs.

The highest point is the Pico de São Sebastião (Saint Sebastian's Peak), in Ilhabela, at 1,378 metres (4,521 ft) above sea level.

The only road crossing all the microregion (except for the island municipality of Ilhabela) is the BR-101, which runs near the sea and serves as the main connection between the cities.