Museu do Mar, Maritime museum in Santos, Brazil
The Museu do Mar is a natural history museum in the port city of Santos featuring collections of marine animals and maritime heritage. The displays present preserved specimens, shells, and objects that document the diversity of Brazil's coastal waters.
The institution began in 1984 as a private collection and later acquired major holdings from another regional maritime museum. This addition allowed the collection to grow into one of the largest in South America.
The museum reflects the importance of the ocean to Santos, a city shaped by trade and fishing traditions. Visitors encounter how marine life has influenced the local identity and economy across generations.
The museum sits in the Ponta da Praia neighborhood and is walkable from the waterfront. Visitors should plan for about 1 to 2 hours to view the exhibitions comfortably.
The collection includes specimens of sharks found in Brazilian waters, animals rarely displayed together elsewhere. This specialized focus helps visitors understand which predators inhabit the coastal waters of the region.
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