Praia do Forte: Whales, Nature and History

Praia do Forte brings together nature and remarkable traces of history, along with distinctive glimpses of local life. Humpback whales, sea turtles and protected landscapes give a trip its own character, as do Castelo Garcia D’Ávila and Igreja de São Francisco. For planning a trip with children, it is especially worth noting that the visitor center at Fundação Projeto Tamar offers two formats of a program: one exclusively for children and one for all age groups.

Whale Watching and Sea Turtles

For a trip focused on marine nature, whale watching offers a specific point of interest. Humpback whales migrate to the waters of Bahia to breed from July to October. The excursions are organized by Projeto Baleia Jubarte and include an introductory information session. So the described experience includes both observation and an introduction. The July-to-October period refers to the whales’ migration.

Another glimpse into the world of marine animals awaits at Espaço Baleia Jubarte Praia do Forte: the immersive experience includes life-size replicas, interpretive panels, the skeleton of an adult humpback whale and ongoing video screenings. The different elements offer different ways to explore the subject—from comparing your size with the replicas to learning about the skeleton. If you would rather focus on sea turtles, the visitor center at Fundação Projeto Tamar offers the “Biólogo por um dia” program. The two formats differ in their target audiences; when choosing, you can consider whether only children will take part or whether a program for all ages is more suitable. Projeto Tamar began protecting sea turtles in Praia do Forte in 1982.

History and Architecture

Castelo Garcia D’Ávila, also known as Casa da Torre, stands on Colina de Tatuapara in Praia do Forte. It is considered the first major Portuguese civil building in Brazil and is a historic landmark of the town. Its names, Castelo and Casa da Torre, already point to its distinctive identity; its status as the first major Portuguese civil building makes it especially notable for travelers interested in Brazil’s history. Igreja de São Francisco adds another historical point of interest: it was built in the 19th century. Together, the two buildings offer different reasons to explore the history and architecture of Praia do Forte, without implying that they must be visited as part of a single route.

Restinga, Birds and Vila

Parque Natural Municipal da Restinga de Praia do Forte is also known as Parque Klaus Peters. It is a Unidade de Conservação de Proteção Integral and was inaugurated as the first unit of this category on Bahia’s north coast. More than 180 bird species have been recorded in the park, including several endangered species. This diversity makes the protected area a distinctive nature-related point of interest for your trip; the figure refers to recorded species and does not guarantee that you will see individual birds.

A Vila also shapes a stay in its own way: cars are not allowed there; only bicycles and the distinctive Bicitaxis are used. The food selection includes traditional beijus from Casa de Farinha and treats from the acarajé vendor. If you want to focus on local life and regional food, you will find different points of interest here than on an outing centered on history or marine animals. When choosing your vacation rental, these different travel interests can help determine what matters most for your stay in Praia do Forte.

Discover More Destinations

If you would like to compare more destinations, you can also explore Barra Do Gil, Ibipeba, Santa Bárbara, Palmeiras, América Dourada, Monte Gordo, Paulo Afonso and Jiquiriçá.

Go to the main travel overview: Bahia.