Chasing Lighthouses: Farol de Santa Marta

Every traveler has their thing: some people collect passport stamps, others chase waterfalls, UNESCO sites or Michelin restaurants.

I chase lighthouses.

If a destination has one, chances are I’ll somehow find a way to get there. There’s something strangely attracting about them. Standing alone against the wind, watching over the coastline, they seem completely untouched by time.

By now, I think I’ve accidentally started quite a collection and Brazil added another beautiful one.

Farol de Santa Marta

When Marcus suggested we drive to Farol de Santa Marta, I didn’t need much convincing.

The lighthouse stands on Cabo de Santa Marta, about 20 kilometers south of Laguna, overlooking one of the most dramatic stretches of Santa Catarina’s coastline. The drive alone is worth it: sand dunes slowly give way to cliffs, the Atlantic stretches endlessly into the horizon, and eventually a bright white lighthouse appears on top of the headland as if someone placed it there just for photographers. It almost doesn’t look real.

Standing there since 1891

The lighthouse has been watching over this coastline since 1891. Built by French engineers and still operated by the Brazilian Navy, it rises 29 metres above the ground and its light reaches almost 91 kilometres out into the Atlantic, because ships needed something reliable to guide them safely home. For centuries, this section of Brazil’s southern coast was one of the most dangerous places for navigation due to strong Atlantic winds, powerful currents, hidden reefs and dense coastal fog.

The walk to the top

One thing I loved is that reaching the lighthouse isn’t difficult. A short walking trail climbs toward the headland. During spring and summer, wildflowers bloom along the path while butterflies seem to appear out of nowhere. If you’re into birdwatching, keep looking up because the cliffs attract dozens of coastal bird species, and it’s surprisingly easy to lose track of time simply watching them glide above the ocean.

The best time to visit

One tip I can definitely recommend: come outside the peak season.

We visited during the quieter months and were practically the only people there.

For a photographer, that’s a dream. No crowds, no queues, no waiting for someone to finish their selfie but the sound of the wind, crashing waves and an endless Atlantic horizon.

Having a place almost entirely to yourself makes the experience much more memorable.

One of Brazil’s best whale watching spots

If you’re visiting between July and November, you’re in for an extra surprise. Every year, Southern Right Whales migrate to the warm waters off Santa Catarina’s coast to give birth and raise their calves. The cliffs around Farol de Santa Marta have become one of the best land-based whale-watching spots.

Top of the lighthouse

General Information

The lighthouse grounds are open every day from sunrise until sunset, and access to the outdoor area is free.

The lighthouse itself is managed by the Brazilian Navy and is usually open for guided visits on the first weekend of each month, with a small food donation instead of an entrance fee.

To preserve both the landscape and the lighthouse, several activities are prohibited, including:

• flying drones,

• camping,

• having picnics,

• drinking alcohol,

• and staying after sunset.

It’s a peaceful place, and keeping it that way seems to be a priority.

Every lighthouse marks more than a coastline. For me, they quietly mark chapters of my own travels.

The Lighthouse

The lighthouse from far

Laguna town

Laguna town

Laguna town