Whales and calves
Close to shore.
Thikosovski — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Thikosovski — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Silvia Fantinatti — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jack Chan Franz (Chanderson Franz) — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jack Chan Franz (Chanderson Franz) — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gabriela Delcin Pires — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jack Chan Franz (Chanderson Franz) — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Southern Right Whale Environmental Protection Area was created by federal decree on 14 September 2000 to protect the southern right whale and its breeding grounds along the southern coast of Santa Catarina, and is run by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation. It covers about 155,000 hectares, eighty per cent of them sea, along a coast that takes in municipalities such as Florianópolis, Garopaba, Imbituba and Laguna, with beaches, dunes, coastal lagoons and rocky headlands. In winter the whales come close to shore to give birth and nurse their calves in the sheltered waters of the bays. The viewing season usually runs from July to November, and whales can be seen from the headlands and hills above the beaches of Imbituba and Garopaba, sometimes just metres from the sand. Activities in the area follow strict rules to protect the animals, so follow the guidance of local guides.
Close to shore.
Viewing points.
Protected coast.
Central-south coast of Santa Catarina, from Florianópolis to Laguna
Usually July to November, when mothers and calves come close to the coast.