Lighthouses of Southern Brazil

This page covers the lighthouses of the three southernmost states of the Brazilian coast: Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul. The northern part of this coastline features beautiful sandy beaches framed by steep, sometimes mountainous headlands with a scattering of offshore islands. Rio Grande do Sul is different: its coastline is mostly a very long and generally roadless beach, broken at the entrance to the estuary for which the state is named.

Brazil has a large number of lighthouses, including a good many relatively modern concrete and fiberglass enclosed towers. Photos of many Brazilian lighthouses are scarce on the Internet. I'd be glad to know of photos not linked to this page, and I'd be very happy indeed to post other photos if readers are willing to share them. Just let me know.

The Portuguese word for a lighthouse is farol, plural faróis. Like the Spanish word faro, the word farol applies to all light towers, whether they are enclosed structures or not.

Active lighthouses in Brazil are owned by the navy (Marinha do Brasil) and maintained by the Centro de Sinalização Náutica e Reparos Almirante Moraes Rego (CAMR) in the Diretoria de Hidrografia e Navegacão (DHN). Many of the larger lighthouses are staffed by resident keepers or by rotating crews of naval personnel. Only a small number of Brazilian lighthouses are open to the public.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Brazil light numbers, where available, are from listings posted by the port captains. Admiralty numbers are from volume G of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA numbers are from Publication 110.

General Sources
Faroís Brasileiros
This page on the web site of the navy's aids to navigation center (CAMR) has links to photos of many of the lighthouses.
Imagens Online
Photo archive of a commerical firm, Kino Fotoarquivo; contains many lighthouse images (search for "farol").
Online List of Lights - Brazil
Photos by various photographers, posted by Alexander Trabas. Most of the photos for this area are by Capt. Peter Mosselberger.
Faróis
Photos from Rio Grande do Sul by Gilberto Lima.
Leuchttürme Südamerikas auf historischen Postkarten
Historic postcard views posted by Klaus Huelse.

Farol de Chui
Farol de Chuí, October 2007
Creative Commons photo by Lucimara Both

Lighthouses of Paraná

Paranaguá Lighthouses
Paranaguá Range C Rear
1954. Inactive. 14 m (46 ft) square concrete tower, formerly painted white with a red horizontal band. The lighthouse is leaning and could fall at any time. Alexandre Hartmann has a February 2006 photo and another photo shows the tower still standing on New Year's Eve 2006. Geraldo Castro has another photo, and Google has a distant satellite view. The front range light, on a similar 6 m (20 ft) tower, had already fallen as of December 2007. Located on the southwestern tip of the Ilha de Peças, where it formerly guided ships around the north side of the Ilha do Mel into the Paranaguá estuary. ex-Admiralty G0526.1
Cassual
1904. Inactive as a light, but the tower still carries a radiobeacon. 15 m (49 ft) 4-story square masonry tower with castellated gallery; lantern removed. Lighthouse painted white. Ednei Zuccati has a closeup, and another photo is available, but a cloud hides the light in Google's current satellite view. Located at the northern end of the Ilha do Mel, across the estuary entrance from the Paranaguá Range C lights. May be accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed.
* Ponta das Conchas (Ilha do Mel)
1872. Active; focal plane 67 m (220 ft); white flash every 10 s. 18 m (59 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Lighthouse prefabricated by P.&W. Maclellean of Glasgow, Scotland. Jorge Gobbi's photo is at right, Paulo Yuji Takarada has a photo, another photo is available, Wikimedia has several good photos, CAMR has an aerial photo, and Google has a satellite view. The beautiful Ilha do Mel, located in the mouth of the Baía de Paranaguá, is a major tourist attraction easily accessible by ferry from Paranaguá or Pontal do Sul. Most of the interior of the island is an ecological preserve. Located atop a steep headland at the northeastern tip of the Ilha do Mel. Accessible by a hiking trail, popular for its spectacular views. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BRA-074; Admiralty G0520; NGA 18724.
Caraguatá
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 43 m (141 ft); white flash every 6 s. 10 m (33 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower, painted white with one red horizontal band. Trabas has a photo by Mosselberger, and Google has a satellite view. Located near the southern tip of the Ilha do Mel, marking the east side of the entrance to the channel leading to Paranaguá. Site status unknown. ARLHS BRA-023; Admiralty G0524; NGA 18726.
Ilha do Mel
Farol das Conchas, Ilha do Mel, July 2006
Creative Commons photo by Jorge Gobbi

Matinhos Lighthouse
Ilha Caiobá
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); white flash every 5 s. 9 m (30 ft) tapered square skeletal tower, painted white. Gustavo Ramos Chagas has a photo, but trees obscure the tower in Google's satellite view. Located on the southern tip of an island off a promontory on the south side of Matinhos, marking the entrance to the neighboring city of Guaratuba. The island is connected to the mainland by a gravel bar. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty G0538; NGA 18756.

Lighthouses of Santa Catarina

Itapoá and São Francisco do Sul Lighthouses
Trincheira (Pontal da Barra, Itapoá)
1948. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); red flash every 6 s. 8 m (26 ft) octagonal masonry tower with gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Luiz Ricardo Bastos has posted a closeup photo, Maiko Dias has a 2009 photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the north side of the Rio São Francisco do Sul estuary in Itapoá. Site status unknown. ARLHS BRA-274; Admiralty G0545; NGA 18764.
Ilha da Paz
1906. Active; focal plane 84 m (276 ft); white light, 3.5 s on, 16.5 s off. 16 m (52 ft) square cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story stone keeper's house. The original F. Barbier & Cie. Fresnel lens, removed in 1989, is on display at the Museu Histórico de São Francisco do Sul. Renato Raych has a good photo, a portfolio of photos is available, Portuguese Wikipedia has an article with a distant view, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. According to a July 2007 article, the lighthouse was being restored and would open to the public in 2009 with a museum in the keeper's house; we do not know if this has happened. The lighthouse guards the entrance to the port of São Francisco do Sul. Located on an island about 4 km (2.5 mi) off the coast. Site and tower closed (at least in the past, landing on the island required special permission from the navy). ARLHS BRA-137; Admiralty G0540; NGA 18760.

Itajaí Area Lighthouses
* Itajaí North Breakwater
1938. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); three red flashes every 10 s. 12 m (39 ft) 3-stage round cylindrical tower, colored with tiles in red and white horizontal bands. The lowest stage appears to covered with small colored tiles. Rodrigo Osorio has posted a photo, Trabas has a good photo by Mosselberger, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the north breakwater at the mouth of the Rio Itajaí. Accessible by driving on the breakwater. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty G0554; NGA 18800.
** Itajaí South Breakwater
1945. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); green flash every 3 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical tower, colored with tiles in white with green horizontal bands. The tower also has a public observation deck about 4 m (13 ft) above the base, accessible by an exterior stairway. A closeup by Aline Comelli is available, Everaldo José dos Santos also has a good photo, Trabas has Capt. Peter's photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater at the mouth of the Rio Itajaí. Accessible by driving on the breakwater. Site open, observation deck open, remainder of tower closed. Admiralty G0555; NGA 18796.
Ponta das Cabeçudas
Date unknown (station established 1902). Active; focal plane 58 m (190 ft); flash every 10 s, two white flashes followed by one red flash. Approx. 6 m (20 ft) post light centered on a square 1-story concrete or masonry keeper's cottage. Lighthouse painted white. Trabas has a photo by Mosselberger, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the tip of a narrow peninsula projecting northeastward about 4 km (2.5 mi) southeast of Itajaí. Site status unknown (there is a road to the lighthouse, but it may not be open to the public). ARLHS BRA-121; Admiralty G0552; NGA 18788.

Itajaí South Breakwater Light, February 2004
Creative Commons photo by Andréia Bohner

Ilha de Santa Catarina (Florianópolis Area) Lighthouses
Note: Ilha de Santa Catarina is an island about 54 km (34 mi) long and as much as 18 km (11 mi) wide, connected to the mainland by several bridges. The island is the location of the state capital of Florianópolis and several popular beach resorts.
Ilha da Galé (Pedrada Galé) (2)
Date unknown (station established 1939). Active; focal plane 78 m (256 ft); white flash every 10 s. 10 m (33 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, painted with black and white horizontal bands. The lighthouse can be seen in João Adalberto Pereira's distant view of the island, but Google's satellite view has only a blur at this location. Located atop an island about 10 km (6 mi) east of Canto Grande. Site status unknown. Admiralty G0558; NGA 18848.
Ilha do Arvoredo
1883. Active; focal plane 90 m (295 ft); white light with four occultations every 60 s. 16 m (52 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Fresnel lens in use. Three 1-story keeper's houses. The Navy's photo appears at right, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse was prefabricated in England. Along with neighboring islands, the Ilha do Arvoredo is included in the Reserva Biológica Marinha do Arvoredo, an ecological reserve. Tours of the reserve are available, but it's not clear if these include visits to the lighthouse. Located on an island off the northern end of the Ilha de Santa Catarina. Site status unknown, tower closed. ARLHS BRA-042; Admiralty G0562; NGA 18856.
Ponta de Galheta (2)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 150 m (492 ft); white flash every 10 s. Round cylindrical concrete tower, height unknown, painted white. A distant photo (1/3 the way down the page) and a second distant photo (second photo on the page) are available, and Google has a satellite view. We need better information on this light. Light lists describe the original light, a 10 m (33 ft) square skeletal tower; this tower is probably taller than that. Located on a promontory on the central east coast of the Ilha de Santa Catarina, about 12 km (7.5 mi) due east of Florianópolis. Site status unknown, tower closed. ARLHS BRA-170; Admiralty G0562.5; NGA 18857.
Ponta dos Naufragados
1871. Active; focal plane 43 m (141 ft); two white flashes, separated by 3 s, every 15 s. 10 m (33 ft) round stone tower, painted white. Lantern removed, but the watch room with its gallery remains. Zeca Baronio has a 2008 closeup, another good photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Ponta dos Naufragados means "Cape of the Shipwrecked." There's no road access to the site, but the lighthouse can be reached by a hike of about 40 minutes from the nearest road or 20 minutes from the beach below the lighthouse, which is popular with surfers. Andreas Köhler visited this site in early 2009 and reported that the trails are not so easy to follow. Located on a bluff at the southern end of the Ilha de Santa Catarina about 20 miles south of Florianópolis. Site open, tower open, at least at times. ARLHS BRA-077; Admiralty G0584; NGA 18888.
Farol do Arvoredo
Farol do Arvoredo; CAMR photo

Southern Santa Catarina Lighthouses
* Imbituba
1918. Active; focal plane 69 m (226 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 7 m (23 ft) square pyramidal masonry tower with gallery but no lantern, mounted atop a square 1-story masonry service room. Lighthouse painted white. A photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a bluff on a hook-shaped peninsula sheltering the harbor at Imbituba. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BRA-055; Admiralty G0592; NGA 18900.
Ilha das Araras
Date unknown (station established 1911). Active; focal plane 54 m (177 ft); two quick white flashes every 6 s. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower, painted with red and white horizontal bands. The lighthouse is visible in Rodolfo Raupp's photo of the island and in Jorge Leonardo Nesi's view from the sea, and Google has a satellite view. The Ilha das Araras (Island of the Macaws) is a small island about 6 km (4 mi) offshore and 13 km (8 mi) south of Imbituba. Located on the highest point of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS BRA-040; Admiralty G0594; NGA 18904.
**** Santa Marta
1891. Active; focal plane 74 m (243 ft); white light (red sector covers shoals) occulting three times every 30 s. 29 m (95 ft) square stone tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a square cluster of 1-story keeper's houses and other light station buildings. Entire lighthouse painted white; roofs of the other buildings are red. The original 1st order Barbier, Bénard and Turenne Fresnel lens is in use; the original clockwork mechanism is still in place although no longer used. Dieter Heiss's 2009 photo is at right, Felipe Skroski has a photo of the station and the sea behind, Sandra Sartore has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Built by French contractors, this magnificent lighthouse is one of the best known landmarks of the Santa Catarina coast. Located on the Cabo Santa Marta, a prominent headland about 13 km (8 mi) south of the city of Laguna. Site open, lighthouse and tower open for tours during the summer. ARLHS BRA-032; Admiralty G0600; NGA 18920.
* Araranguá (Morro dos Conventos)
1953. Active; focal plane 85 m (279 ft); three white flashes, separated by 3.3 s, every 20 s. 8 m (26 ft) round concrete tower, painted white with a broad black horizontal band. José Maciel has a fine closeup photo, Caminha da Joinville has a second photo, another closeup is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the Morro dos Conventos, a rocky bluff overlooking the beach near Araranguá, about 80 km (50 mi) southwest of Laguna. Accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BRA-007; Admiralty G0602; NGA 18924.
* Mampituba North Mole
Date unknown. Active; focal plane about 14 m (46 ft); red flash every 3 s. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted white. Adail Pedroso has a photo, the lighthouse is on the left in a photo of both mole lights, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the north mole at the entrance to the Rio Mampituba, which separates Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, in Passo de Torres. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty G0603.
Farol da Santa Marta
Farol de Santa Marta, May 2009
Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Dieter Heiss

Lighthouses of Rio Grande do Sul

Torres Area Lighthouses
* Mampituba South Mole
Date unknown. Active; focal plane about 14 m (46 ft); white flash every 3 s. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted white. The lighthouse is on the right in a photo of both mole lights, Sergio Buratto has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the north mole at the entrance to the Rio Mampituba, which separates Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, in Passo de Torres. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty G0603.2.
* Torres (1)
1912. Inactive since 1927(?). Approx. 18 m (60 ft) square white masonry tower with lantern and gallery. Thiago Ferronatto's photo is at right, and Rafa Watanabe has a photo showing both lights. The lighthouse was replaced in 1927 by a wood tower, which collapsed during a storm in 1935. We don't know if the 1912 lighthouse was then reactivated, or if there was no light until 1952. Located atop a high hill, the Morro do Farol (Lighthouse Bluff), in the northern section of the city of Torres, at the northeastern corner of Rio Grande do Sul. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BRA-273.
* Torres (3)
1952 (station established 1912). Active; focal plane 85 m (278 ft); white light, 2 s on, 8 s off. 46 m (151 ft) round cylindrical tower, painted white with black vertical stripes. Rafa Watanabe has a photo showing both lights, Lima has a distant view showing both towers, and Google has a satellite view. Located atop a high hill, the Morro do Farol (Lighthouse Bluff) in the northern section of the city of Torres, at the northeastern corner of Rio Grande do Sul. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BRA-203; Admiralty G0604; NGA 18928.
* Itapeva (Arroio do Sal)
1993. Active; focal plane 42 m (138 ft); five white flashes, separated by 5 s, every 30 s. 40 m (131 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower painted white with two red horizontal bands on the lower half. Jocelei Gonçalves has a closeup, a more distant photo is available, Luciane Huffel has a panoramic view, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the beach at Arroio do Sal, about 25 km (15 mi) southwest of Torres. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BRA-270; Admiralty G0605; NGA 18930.
* Capão da Canoa (2)
Date unknown (station established 1930). Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); two white flashes, separated by 2 s, every 10 s. 24 m (85 ft) 2-stage square cylindrical tower with gallery but no lantern, painted with black and white horizontal bands. Aguinaldo Severino has a closeup, Pelas Janelas has another photo, and Google has a satellite view. The first lighthouse was a 16 m (52 ft) square concrete tower. Located on the beach about 45 km (28 mi) southwest of Torres. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BRA-021; Admiralty G0606; NGA 18932.

1912 Farol de Torres, January 2006
Creative Commons photo by Thiago Ferronatto

Northern Beach Lighthouses
Note: These lighthouses are found along a great beach extending more than 300 km (about 200 mi) southwestward from Capão de Canoa to the Rio Grande do Sul entrance. The northern part of this beach is crowded with resort towns. The southern portion, south of Mostardas, is part of a broad barrier between the ocean and the Lagoa dos Patos; lighthouses in this section are best seen from 4WD expeditions along the beach.
Tramandaí (2)
Date unknown (station established 1954). Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); white light, 2 s on, 13 s off. 23 m (75 ft) round tower with lantern and gallery, painted in a black and white diamond pattern. Lise Pereira has a photo, Ivan Bustamante has a second photo, but clouds obscure Google's satellite view. Located on the beach about 16 km (10 mi) northeast of Cidreira. Site status unknown. ARLHS BRA-103; Admiralty G0607.4; NGA List 18936.
* Cidreira
1933 (station established 1907). Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); white flash every 6 s. 30 m (98 ft) narrow round cylindrical concrete tower, its base supported by four buttresses. Tower painted in a red and white spiral (barber-pole) pattern; lantern, gallery, and base painted red. Marco Nexo has a photo, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the Avenida Beira Mar at the Avenida Tiradentes in the resort city of Cidreira. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BRA-025; Admiralty G0608; NGA 18944.
* Berta (Quintão)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 42 m (138 ft); white flash every 10 s. 40 m (131 ft) square cylindrical brick (or concrete?) tower, painted white with a black horizontal band. Lima has a photo, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the beach at Quintão, about 30 km (19 mi) southwest of Cidreira. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BRA-210; Admiralty G0612; NGA 18945.
* Solidão
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 24 m (78 ft); two white flashes every 12 s. 21 m (69 ft) red round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern, gallery and four buttresses. The reddish color of the tower appears to be in the concrete rather than painted. Valerio Pillar's photo is at right, José Longhi has a photo, Marcelo Koelho also has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the beach about 70 km (45 mi) northeast of Mostardas and 40 km (25 mi) southwest of Quintão. Accessible by 4WD. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BRA-100; Admiralty G0612; NGA 18948.
** Mostardas
1940 (station established 1894). Active; focal plane 39 m (128 ft); white light on 10 s, off 4.5 s, white flash, off 4.5 s, red light on 10 s, off 4.5 s, red flash, off 4.5 s. 38 m (125 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted with black and white horizontal bands. A Barbier, Bénard & Turenne Fresnel lens (1934) is in use. Lima has a photo, another photo is available, J. Gobbato has a closeup, Marcio Silveira Luz has photos showing the inside and outside of the lighthouse, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse is located in a national park, the Parque Nacional da Lagoa do Peixe. Located on the beach about 20 km (13 mi) south of the town of Mostardas. Accessible by 4WD from the seaside resort of Balneário Mostardense 9 miles northeast. Site open, tower open but the schedule is not known. ARLHS BRA-065; Admiralty G0614; NGA 18956.
Farol de Solidão
Farol Solidão, November 2006
Creative Commons photo by Valerio Pillar
* Capão da Marca de Fora
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 42 m (138 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, painted white with one red horizontal band. A 2009 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Not to be confused with the historic Capão de Marca lighthouse on the Lagoa dos Patos (see below). Located just off the beach about 40 km (25 mi) southwest of Tavares. Accessible by 4WD. Site open, tower closed. NGA 18959.7.
* Conceição (2)
Date unknown (station established 1929). Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); white light, 2 s on, 13 s off. 30 m (98 ft) square cylindrical steel skeletal tower, painted red with a white horizontal band. C.W. Bash has posted a photo taken by Rafael Podolano, and Regis Candeia has another photo. Luiz Augusto da Costa has a historic photo of the original lighthouse, a 24 m (79 ft) hexagonal masonry tower, which was overturned by beach erosion. André Issi has a photo of the ruins (next to last photo on the page), and Google has a satellite view showing the ruins and the new tower. The ruins of the original 1-story keeper's house still stand on the beach. Located on the beach about 65 km (40 mi) northeast of Rio Grande do Sul. Accessible by 4WD. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BRA-027; Admiralty G0616; NGA 18960.
* Estreito
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 42 m (138 ft); white light, 2 s on, 13 s off. 40 m (131 ft) square cylindrical steel skeletal tower, painted white. A photo is available, and the shadow of the lighthouse is prominent in a Google satellite view. Located on the beach about 40 km (25 mi) northeast of Rio Grande do Sul. Accessible by 4WD. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BRA-212; Admiralty G0618; NGA 18962.

Rio Grande do Sul Entrance Lighthouses
* Barra Rio Grande (3)
1847 (station established 1820). Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); white light on 10 s, then five flashes in the next 11 s. 31 m (102 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted with black and white horizontal bands. Sandro Monteiro has a photo, Francisco Parobé has a photo of the light station, Trabas has a distant photo by Mosselberger, Eduardo Gastelumendi has a photo showing the lighthouse behind the Atalaia tower, and Google has a good satellite view. Lights are said to have been shown from this point as early as 1698, and the first lighthouse is said to have been built about 1820. The present lighthouse was prefabricated in England and is a rare example of an early English design. Installed in 1847, it was extended locally in 1852. Earlier lighthouses were built in 1840 and 1842. The nearby Atalaia tower is sometimes described as an older lighthouse; it was used for many years as a signal tower, and it carried a light very briefly in 1820. Located on the east side of the Rio Grande do Sul. Accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BRA-245; Admiralty G0620; NGA 18964.
Rio Grande do Sul East Mole
Date unknown (recent). Active; focal plane about 20 m (65 ft); long green flash every 10 s. Approx. 18 m (60 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted white. No lantern. Probably similar to the west mole light (next entry). Trabas has a photo by Mosselberger, another photo is available (bottom of the page), and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the east mole (breakwater) at Rio Grande do Sul. Site status unknown. Admiralty G0624; NGA 18968.
* Rio Grande do Sul West Mole
Date unknown (recent). Active; focal plane about 20 m (65 ft); long green flash every 10 s. Approx. 18 m (60 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted white. No lantern. Access to the light appears to be through a ladder inside the tower. Trabas has a photo by Mosselberger, a closeup is available, and Google has a satellite view. In recent years two long (about 2.5 miles) breakwaters or moles (moelhas) were built to protect the entrance to Rio Grande do Sul. These moles are tourist attractions; light sail-powered rail cars carry visitors over a narrow-gauge rail track to the lighthouse at the end of the West Mole. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BRA-246; Admiralty G0622; NGA 18972.

Lagoa dos Patos Lighthouses
Note: The Lagoa dos Patos is a large lagoon or sound, 280 km (175 mi) long, emptying into the Atlantic at Rio Grande do Sul city. Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul state, is located at the northern end of the lagoon.
[Bujuru (Bojuru)]
1868. Inactive since the 1950s. Formerly a square masonry tower rising from a keeper's house, the lighthouse has collapsed into ruins. Paulo Angonese has a photo, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. The light was replaced by a small red beacon (focal plane 8 m (26 ft); red flash every 8 s) on a pile structure off the end of the shoal. Located on a tiny island off a sandy point projecting into the Lagoa dos Patos about 16 km (10 mi) north of the village of Bujuru. Accessible only by boat. Site open. Admiralty G0631; NGA 18959.5.
Cristóvão Pereira (3)
Date unknown (station established 1849). Active; focal plane 30 m (98 ft); white flash every 10 s. 28 m (92 ft) square cylindrical brick tower; no lantern. Lighthouse formerly painted white, but almost no paint remains. Lima also has a good photo, and Wikimedia has a good photo by João Paulo Lucena. Endangered: a Google satellite view reveals that the lighthouse, although protected by a seawall, is nearly surrounded by the waters of the lagoon. In 1992 the keeper's house was demolished and the windows of the tower were removed and bricked over. Located on a sandy point projecting into the Lagoa dos Patos about 25 km (15 mi) west of Mostardas and 30 km (19 mi) north of Tavares. Accessible by 4WD. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BRA-131; Admiralty G0631.4; NGA 18946.9.
* Capão da Marca
1849. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); red light, 2 s on, 8 s off. 14 m (46 ft) octagonal metal cast iron skeletal tower with lantern and central cylinder. Entire lighthouse painted white. Alexandre Rech has a fine photo, and Google has a satellite view. This is the oldest surviving lighthouse of Rio Grande do Sul. The Wikipedia article describes it as inactive, but apparently it has been reactivated. Located on the beach on the east side of the lagoon near Tavares, about 11 km (7 mi) southwest of the Mostardas lighthouse. Accessible by 4WD. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BRA-127; Admiralty G0631.2; NGA 18957.
Farol de Capão da Marca
Farol de Capão da Marca, March 2006
Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by João Paulo Lucena
Itapuã da Lagoa
1860. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); white flash every 6 s. 13 m (43 ft) octagonal brick tower rising from 1-story keeper's houses. Lighthouse painted white; lantern roof and gallery railing painted red. Marcus Guimarães's photo is at right, CAMR has an excellent photo, Paulo Angonese has another photo, an April 2007 photo is available, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. One of the oldest lighthouses in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. In October 2002 the station was transferred to the state government and restored as part of the Parque Estadual de Itapuã; it is to be used as an educational center. Located at the northern end of the Lagoa dos Patos, on the east side of the entrance to the narrow channel (the Canal da Itapuã) leading to Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul. Site open, tower open to guided tours from Itapuã on weekends. Accessible only by boat; there are no roads in the area. ARLHS BRA-142; Admiralty G0633; NGA 18946.

Lagoa Mirim Lighthouse
Note: The Lagoa Mirim is a second lagoon, 170 km (105 mi) long, located to the south and extending across the Uruguayan border. The Lagoa Mirim is connected to the Lagoa dos Patos by a navigable channel (the Canal de São Gonçalo) at the town of Pelotas, west of Rio Grande do Sul.
* Ponta Alegre
1868. Inactive since 1964. 16 m (52 ft) square cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and gallery. The lighthouse was painted white originally, but only traces of the paint remain. Poti Campos has a good closeup photo, Paulo Angonese has a view from the lagoon, and another photo is available (last photo on the page), but Google has only a fuzzy satellite view of the area. Endangered: the lighthouse is abandoned and vandalized. Recently the city council of Arroio Grande has discussed restoring the lighthouse as a tourist attraction. Located on the Praia do Farol, a sandy peninsula on the north side of the Lagoa Mirim, about 25 km (15 mi) southeast of Arroio Grande. Apparently accessible by 4WD. Site open; tower reported open but dangerous.
Farol de Itpuã da Lagoa
Farol de Itapuã da Lagoa, November 2007
Creative Commons photo by Marcus Guimarães

Southern Beach Lighthouses
Note: South of the Rio Grande do Sul entrance is another of the world's great beaches, a largely deserted strand that stretches about 220 km (135 mi) from Rio Grande do Sul to the Uruguayan border. A 4WD expedition the length of this beach will pass all five lighthouses.
Sarita
1964 (station established 1909). Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); three white flashes, separated by 2 s, every 15 s. 37 m (121 ft) square concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 2-story square concrete base. Lighthouse painted with red and white horizontal bands. CAMR's photo is at right, Lima has a photo, a closeup is available, and the shadow of the tower is seen in Google's very fuzzy satellite view. Located about 70 km (45 mi) southwest of Rio Grande do Sul. Site open, tower closed as far as we know. ARLHS BRA-098; Admiralty G0636; NGA 19000.
Verga
1964. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); white flash every 5 s. Approx. 10 m (35 ft) square pyramidal steel skeletal tower, mounted on a 1-story square pyramidal concrete workroom. Skeletal tower painted red, concrete base painted white. A photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the beach about 110 km (70 mi) northeast of Barra do Chuí. Accessible by 4WD vehicle on the beach. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS BRA-207; Admiralty G0639; NGA 19004.
Albardão (2)
1948 (station established 1909). Active; focal plane 50 m (164 ft); four white flashes, separated by 3 s, every 25 s. 44 m (144 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from the center of 1-story concrete workroom. Lighthouse painted in a black and white diamond pattern, said to have been inspired by the Cape Lookout lighthouse in North Carolina. Four 1-story keeper's houses. Lima has a photo, Paulo de Araujo has a closeup photo, Leonir André Colling has a great 2009 photo, CAMR also has a photo, and Google has a good satellite view. Located on the beach about 90 km (55 mi) northeast of Barra do Chuí. Accessible by 4WD vehicle on the beach. Site open, tower closed as far as we know. ARLHS BRA-002; Admiralty G0640; NGA 19008.
Farol Sarita
Farol Sarita; CAMR photo
[Fronteira Aberta]
Date unknown. Inactive since 1999. Originally a 40 m (131 ft) masonry tower, this lighthouse was toppled during a storm in 1999. Maurício Machado has a photo of the ruins, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the beach about 40 km (25 mi) northeast of Chuí. Site open. ARLHS BRA-214; ex-Admiralty G0642.
* Chuí (3)
1942 (station established 1910). Active; focal plane 42 m (141 ft); two white flashes, separated by 8 s, every 25 s. 30 m (98 ft) round concrete tower with four narrow buttresses, lantern, and double gallery. Lighthouse painted with red and white horizontal bands. Four 1-story keeper's houses. Lucimara Both's photo is at the top of this page, Wikimedia has several photos, CAMR has a fine closeup photo, Poti Campos also has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. The original lighthouse, a skeletal tower, was replaced by a concrete tower in 1934. That lighthouse had to be abandoned after a few years because of an unstable foundation. Located at Barra do Chuí, at the mouth of the Arroio Chuí, which is the Uruguayan border. Accessible by road from BR 471 at Chuí. Site open, tower closed as far as we know. ARLHS BRA-024; Admiralty G0644; NGA 19012.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Southeastern Brazil | South: Uruguay

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Posted January 30, 2004. Checked and revised September 4, 2011. Lighthouses: 43. Site copyright 2011 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.