Southern Right Whales in Garopaba

Every winter, southern right whales return to the southern coast of Santa Catarina to give birth and raise their calves in shallow, sheltered waters. Garopaba lies inside the Right Whale Environmental Protection Area (APA da Baleia Franca), and you can watch the whales from land, from the headlands and beaches, with no boat needed. Here we gather what the people who study these animals have confirmed, so you can plan your visit calmly and respectfully.

When to see them: the season

The breeding season of southern right whales in Brazil runs from July to November, peaking in September. According to the Instituto Australis, which monitors the species from Imbituba, the best window for watching is from the second half of August to the first half of October, when more animals are close to shore.

Some years they arrive early. In 2024 and 2025 the first records came in late May; in 2026, the first sighting in Santa Catarina was in May and the season's first calf was seen in June at Itapirubá Norte (Imbituba). So if you come in June, it is already worth keeping an eye on the sea; if you come in September, your chances are higher.

Why they come here

Females with calves stay in shallow coastal waters until the end of the breeding season. Studies in Brazil found more whales at depths of up to 10 metres, in bays where the waves dissipate gently. In its first weeks of life, a calf spends about 90% of its time right beside its mother, and some stay with her for a full year.

The southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) has a dark, rounded body with no dorsal fin, and pale callosities on its head that work like a fingerprint: each animal has its own pattern, which researchers use to identify it. Females can exceed 17 metres and 60 tonnes. Those callosities and the missing dorsal fin are how you recognise one from a distance.

Where to watch from land in Garopaba

In Santa Catarina, whale watching is done from land. Inside the APA da Baleia Franca, boat tours to see whales have been suspended by court order (since 2013, according to the Instituto Australis); researchers advise looking for high points, preferably on calm-sea days, and bringing binoculars (the Instituto Australis suggests 10x50).

In Garopaba, the most mentioned spots are Praia da Gamboa, cited by local news as a sighting point (in 2021, the season's first whales were recorded there), and the headlands between the beaches. At Silveira Beach, the town's tourism portal notes that in winter it is common to see right whales close to the shore, and anyone who climbs the hill at the southern end or the headland gets a wider view over the sea.

The National Right Whale Conservation Centre, home of the Instituto Australis at Praia de Itapirubá Norte in Imbituba, is also worth a visit (about 40 km south of Silveira by road, around 45 minutes by car). It has an observation deck, a life-size replica of a calf and the skeleton of a 14-metre adult whale. Visits need advance booking, required for groups of more than 10 people: +55 (48) 3255-0634.

How to spot a whale at sea

The most common sign is the blow: the warm air from the whale's breath rises a few metres and gives away where the animal is. In breeding areas, whales surface far more often than when travelling, and mothers with calves tend to rest or swim slowly near the surface. Sunny days with calm seas and little wind are best; early morning and late afternoon have the nicest light.

Rules of respect

Harassing whales is a crime in Brazil (Law 7,643/1987). According to specialised news (Atlas Público), in August 2026 Ibama and ICMBio published Joint Ordinance (Portaria Conjunta) No. 4/2026 (Official Gazette of 11 Aug 2026), replacing the 1996 rules: vessels with the engine in gear must stay at least 160 metres from southern right whales; kayaks, boards, kitesurfers, swimmers and divers, 100 metres; personal watercraft and similar craft, 300 metres. Drones and aircraft must keep a minimum altitude (100 metres for ANAC classes 1 and 2; 40 metres for class 3) and may not stay more than 30 minutes over the same animals. For land-based watchers the ordinance sets no specific rule; common sense asks for quiet, nothing thrown into the water and care with drones. Check the official text in the Official Gazette.

What staying at Refúgio da Silveira is like in whale season

The Refúgio sits on the hill at the southern end of Silveira Beach, and both houses have a 120-to-200-metre footpath to the lookout, from which you can see the whole length of the beach (host's information). We do not promise whales: they show up when they want and depend on the day, the sea and luck. What we can say is that, from July to November, walking up to the lookout early in the morning with binoculars is a simple, beautiful plan, and that the outdoor bathtub on the deck, overlooking the lagoon and the hills, goes well with cold winter afternoons. Self check-in is at 3 pm and check-out at 11 am; pets are welcome.

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Frequently asked questions

Sources for this page

• Instituto Australis / ProFRANCA — Whale-watching tourism
• Instituto Australis — Behaviour
• Instituto Australis — Characteristics
• ICMBio — APA da Baleia Franca fact sheet
• Gazeta do Povo, 25 Jul 2026 — 2026 season
• Ecoviagem, 11 Sep 2026 — peak and early arrivals
• Atlas Público — Ibama/ICMBio Joint Ordinance No. 4/2026
• Garopaba City Hall, 2021 — Rota da Baleia Franca
• Visite Garopaba — Silveira Beach
• Quanto Custa Viajar — Garopaba guide
• Mães em Viagem — Garopaba with kids

Updated on October 10, 2026