The towns, beaches and the Abrolhos Archipelago of the far south of Bahia, Costa das Baleias, is a tourist route that starts at the border of Bahia with Espírito Santo and goes as far south as Porto Seguro. Whoever thinks of whales in Brazil immediately thinks of Abrolhos, a well-known […]
Whale Coast
Whale Coast Tourist Guide
Costa das Baleias has the largest and most diverse set of coral reefs in the South Atlantic, the Abrolhos Archipelago, mangroves, stunning beaches, history and comprises the municipalities of Prado, Alcobaça, Caravelas, Nova Viçosa and Mucuri.
Tourism on the Whale Coast
The Costa das Baleias tourist route begins on the southern edge of Bahia, on the border with Espírito Santo, and stretches along 200 kilometres of beaches to Prado, a town to the south of Porto Seguro.
There are five small coastal municipalities (Mucuri, Nova Viçosa, Caravelas, Alcobaça and Prado), with populations ranging from 21,000 (Caravelas, Alcobaça) to 38,000 (Nova Viçosa).
The Costa das Baleias is a beautiful region located in the extreme south of Bahia, Brazil.
This area is known for its paradisiacal beaches, rich biodiversity and, especially, the presence of humpback whales that migrate to the region to breed.
Here is a comprehensive guide to the Costa das Baleias:
Main Towns and Attractions
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Prado
- Beaches: Prado has several beautiful beaches, such as Praia do Tororão, Praia da Paixão and Praia do Moreira, known for their colourful cliffs and calm waters.
- Historic Centre: The colonial houses and the Mother Church of Nossa Senhora da Purificação are important tourist attractions.
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Caravelas
- Abrolhos National Marine Park: The main attraction, it is an archipelago made up of five islands that offers some of the best snorkelling and whale watching experiences in Brazil.
- Historic Centre: Colonial mansions and the Church of São Sebastião are highlights.
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Nova Viçosa
- Beaches: Praia do Pau Fincado and Praia da Barra Velha are popular with tourists.
- Barra Velha Island: A great place for boat trips and fishing.
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Alcobaça
- Beaches: Praia de Alcobaça and Praia do Farol are known for their clear, calm waters.
- Cassumba Island: Ideal for boat trips and snorkelling.
Humpback Whale Watching
Whale watching is the most famous activity on the Costa das Baleias. Humpback whales migrate to this region between July and November to reproduce and nurse their young. Here are some tips:
- Best Time: Between July and November.
- Boat Trips: Available mainly in Caravelas and Prado. Specialised companies offer whale-watching excursions, with experienced guides who provide information about the marine mammals.
- Abrolhos National Marine Park: This is one of the best places to see whales. In addition, the park offers excellent snorkelling with coral reefs, rich marine life and shipwrecks.
Catabrigas Waterfall in the far south of Bahia
The Catabrigas Waterfall is very rare, surrounded by greenery, mountains, birds and ecological trails, it can be found on the outskirts of the district of Ibirajá, in the interior of the municipality of Itanhém. The place besides being the meeting point of the residents of the region, especially on weekends, […]
Corumbau is in the extreme south of Bahia, between Prado and Porto Seguro
Ponta de Corumbau stands out for its 2 km long pier forming reefs and sands that disappear when the tide rises. The beach is very beautiful, highlighting the Ponta de Corumbau, a strip of sand that extends into the sea at low tide. A great option for swimming, fishing and walking. […]
Prado is the gateway to the Whale Coast
Prado, in Bahia, offers paradisiacal beaches and a unique experience of relaxation and adventure. From whale watching in Abrolhos to hiking on Mount Pascoal. The municipality of Prado in the Costa das Baleias in Bahia is the one with the largest tourist infrastructure in the region. The town of Prado […]
Cumuruxatiba is a small fishing village in southern Bahia.
Cumuruxatiba is a district of the municipality of Prado, in the state of Bahia, in Brazil. Cumuruxatiba is a small fishing village in the Costa das Baleias and in the south of Bahia, with a difficult name and even more difficult access, kept as a secret by those who have […]
Nova Viçosa is the gateway to the Abrolhos Archipelago
Nova Viçosa in the south of Bahia has an average annual temperature ranging between 30º and 24º C, providing tourists with complete leisure, with the sun as a permanent companion to warm up the summer in the place, which has more riches than we can imagine. Nova Viçosa is the […]
Mucuri is an ideal place for those who enjoy ecotourism
Mucuri in the far south of Bahia in the Whale Coast, hides a virtually untouched natural stronghold. Formed by ecosystems of Atlantic forest, restinga, mangroves, dunes and beautiful beaches. Mucuri is a must for those who enjoy ecotourism. The colonisation of this area was delayed by the absence of precious […]
Caravelas is a historic town in the far south of Bahia state
Caravelas is in the far south of Bahia a 870 km from Salvador and 36 km south of Prado, on the BA-001, on the banks of the Caravelas River, which meets the sea there. Along the coast, close to the town, there are beautiful beaches, Kitongo, Grauçá and Iemanjá in Barra de […]
Alcobaça is a fairly simple place with good beaches, beautiful architecture and history
Alcobaça, a very simple place, with good beaches and beautiful walks, the most attractive are the boat trip to the Archipelago of Abrolhos or the reefs of Timbebas. Municipality originates from a village created on 12 November 1772 by the Ombudsman José Xavier Machado Monteiro in the place called Arraial […]
Characteristics of the Humpback Whale
Learn about the characteristics of the Humpback Whale. Abrolhos National Marine Park is the birthplace of the Humpback Whale. The humpback whale, also called humpback or black whale, belongs to the Balaenopteridae family and is known for its docile temperament, the acrobatics it performs (jumps, head and flippers exposure, etc.) […]
Abrolhos Archipelago – Characteristics, Geography and Tourism
The Archipelago of Abrolhos is a refuge and nursery for humpback whales and its reefs, which according to the SCT, are internationally recognised as having the greatest biodiversity in the entire South Atlantic. The name Abrolhos was given by Portuguese navigators in the 17th century. As it was an area […]
Whale Coast in the far south of Bahia – Travel Guide
The Tourist Zone of the Whale Coast on the south coast of Bahia comprises the municipalities of Prado, Alcobaça, Caravelas, Nova Viçosa and Mucuri in the far south of Bahia. Having been part of the Captaincy of Porto Seguro, the Whale Coast has a great diversity of landscapes with beaches, favourable […]