Anhatomirim Environmental Protection Area

Anhatomirim Environmental Protection Area covers coastal waters off Santa Catarina with remnants of Atlantic Forest, mangrove swamps, and shallow sandbars. The landscape shifts between forested shorelines and open water channels lined with seagrass beds.

The area received legal protection in 1992 and takes its name from Anhatomirim Island, where Portuguese colonists built a fortress in 1735. This stronghold represented a key military post along Brazil's southern coast.

Local fishing communities here blend their ancestral methods with modern conservation rules, keeping their connection to the sea alive while protecting it.

Visitors should seek local advice when exploring by boat or on foot, as tides and weather change rapidly in this coastal zone. Early morning and late afternoon offer the best times for spotting wildlife.

A resident population of Tucuxi dolphins lives permanently in these waters, using them for feeding and breeding. This rare group has become a research focus for scientists studying their behavior and social bonds.

Location: Santa Catarina

Inception: 1992

GPS coordinates: -27.42306,-48.60500

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:05