Fishing boats
Bright on the sand.
Andreia Reis from São Paulo, Brasil — CC BY 2.0 · Andreia Reis from São Paulo, Brasil — CC BY 2.0 · Andreia Reis from São Paulo, Brasil — CC BY 2.0 · Arthur Reys — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Mauro Soares — CC BY-SA 3.0
Armação is a beach and district in the south of Santa Catarina Island, about 25 km from central Florianópolis, and today one of the island's main artisanal fishing centres, its sand lined with brightly painted fishing boats. It also draws surfers and visitors to the quiet south. Its name tells its history: an «armação» was a whaling station, where whale oil was rendered to light the cities and the meat, blubber and baleen were all used. Overhunting brought the whales close to extinction; today the southern right whale is strictly protected and whale watching brings tourism income to Santa Catarina. A small church built in 1772, where the whalers gathered before going to sea, is among the district's landmarks. Boats leave Armação beach for Campeche Island, with its clear water and ancient rock carvings, and across a small stream at its southern end begins the way to Matadeiro beach and the Lagoinha do Leste trail. A sea wall built to hold back erosion protects the district.
Bright on the sand.
By boat.
To Lagoinha do Leste.
Armação do Pântano do Sul, south of Santa Catarina Island, Florianópolis
From Armação beach in the south of Santa Catarina Island.
