Archaeology
Morro do Índio (lookout and shell mound)
A rocky headland between Ferrugem and Barra beaches, with a lookout, natural pools and Garopaba's largest archaeological site: a shell mound and stone-tool workshops.
From the Residencial: About 22.9 km by car
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Photos: PREFEITURA DE GAROPABA (opens in a new tab); Garopaba Por Aí (@garopabaporai_tv) (opens in a new tab).
Morro do Índio is the rocky headland that separates Praia da Ferrugem from Praia da Barra, at the south end of Ferrugem. It is Garopaba's largest archaeological site: it holds a sambaqui, a mound of shells, animal bones and artifacts left by the peoples who lived on this coast long before colonization, and lithic workshops, grooves in the rocks where those peoples sharpened and shaped their stone tools. The remains are more than 3,500 years old.
From the top you see Ferrugem, Barra, the channel linking the Garopaba Lagoon to the sea and, in the background, mountains covered in Atlantic Forest.
Points of interest
- Shell mound and stone-tool workshops: remains more than 3,500 years old.
- Lookout: views of Ferrugem, Barra and the sunset.
- Natural pools: among the rocks.
- Praia da Ferrugem: where you reach the hill from.
- Praia da Barra: on the other side, with the lagoon channel.
Getting there
Through Praia da Ferrugem, about 7.5 km from downtown Garopaba (SC-434 toward Imbituba and Estrada Geral Praia da Ferrugem), walking to the south end; or through Praia da Barra, following the main road to its end. The climb to the lookout is short, along a path over the rocks with a moderately steep stretch. Free access.
Features
A rocky headland between two beaches, with coastal scrub by the sea and Atlantic Forest on the mountains behind. Near the south end of Ferrugem, the rocks form natural pools, popular for a dip when the sea is calm.
Things to do
Climb to the lookout to see both beaches, the sea and the sunset, swim in the natural pools and visit one of the oldest records of human presence on the Santa Catarina coast. On full-moon nights, the moon rising over the sea is a show of its own.
Safety tips
This is archaeological heritage protected by law: stay on the marked paths, do not take shells, stones or any objects and do not scratch the rocks. The climb over the rocks calls for sturdy shoes and care. Only go into the natural pools when the sea is calm: with waves, the sea washes over the rocks.
Source: Portal de turismo de Garopaba, OpenStreetMap e vídeos do Garopaba Por Aí (opens in a new tab).
