Hotels in Farol de Santa Marta

Farol de Santa Marta: Lighthouse Village on the Santa Catarina Coast

Farol de Santa Marta is a narrow peninsula in southern Brazil, jutting into the Atlantic roughly 18 km south of Laguna in Santa Catarina state. The settlement takes its name from a working lighthouse built in 1891 — at 33 metres tall, it ranks among the tallest lighthouses in South America. The peninsula holds two distinct coastal faces: the open-ocean beach to the east, where strong swells draw surfers, and the calmer lagoon shore to the west, favored by kitesurfers and stand-up paddlers. The village has no ATMs and limited paved roads, which keeps the pace slow and the crowds manageable outside January peak season.

Where to Stay and Getting Around

Accommodation clusters along the main sandy track parallel to the ocean beach. Pousadas — small family-run guesthouses — make up the majority of the roughly 30 properties available. Four-wheel-drive vehicles handle the soft-sand access road more reliably than standard cars, particularly after rain. A regular shuttle van connects the peninsula to Laguna, where the nearest bus terminal links to Florianópolis (180 km north) and Porto Alegre (350 km south).

Practical Tips

• Currency: Carry cash from Laguna; card acceptance is limited at smaller pousadas.
• Season: December–February brings the warmest water (around 23 °C) but also the highest occupancy.
• Surf conditions: Consistent 1–2 m beach break peaks near the lighthouse base most mornings.
• Access road: Allow extra time after heavy rain — the sand track to the peninsula can become impassable for low-clearance vehicles.