Mangroves
The state's largest.
Babitonga Bay is a broad bay on the northern coast of Santa Catarina, at the mouth of the Palmital River, between Joinville, Araquari, Itapoá and the island of São Francisco do Sul, with about 154 square kilometres of water. It is the largest estuary in the state and holds its largest area of mangroves. More than three thousand years ago hunter-gatherers lived on its shores, leaving the shell mounds known as «sambaquis»; Tupi-Guarani groups came later, before the arrival of the Portuguese. On the northern shore, at Saí, a pioneering social experiment was founded in 1842, the «Saí Phalanstery», set up by French settlers on the ideas of Charles Fourier. Important remnants of Atlantic Forest still line the bay, especially to the north; it has many islands and dolphins live in its waters. Visitors explore it on boat trips from São Francisco do Sul or Joinville to see the islands, mangroves and small villages, and a ferry links Joinville with the northern shore.
The state's largest.
Boat trips.
In the bay.
Between Joinville, Araquari, Itapoá and São Francisco do Sul island, Santa Catarina
On a boat trip from São Francisco do Sul or Joinville.