Farol da Barra Beach Picture 2

More information on Farol da Barra Beach in Salvador Bahia Photo by: RobSabino

Celebrations of the city, such as Eve are done here are Farol da Barra Beach, which is also the location of St. Anthony Fort and where the navigator Amerigo Vespucci arrived in 1501 and planted the Portuguese flag.  Today this is where the Fort and Lighhouse Bar are located and a big tourist destination in Salvador.

The image of the Farol da Barra Beach and the Lacerda Elevator is probably one of the best known in Salvador.  Even those who have never been to the capital of Bahia are able to identify this picture, as it is on so many post cards.   Bordered by two colonial forts, this beach gets a lot of attention from visitors to this great city.  They come for the natural beauty of the sea, the historical significance and for the amazing sunset that takes place here.   This area is also one the busiest stretches during Carnival in Salvador, so if you're around during Carnival, it's likely you'll end up on this beach without even knowing it.

Porto da Barra is a cove of calm and crystalline waters, which are considered the most famous in the city for swimming in.  At the Barra Lighthouse, it signals the beginning of the Bay of All Saints, which is the most highly recommended spot for enjoying the sunset in Salvador.  Unlike the beach of Porto da Barra, the area in front of the lighthouse has strong waves and currents which are excellent for surfers.   Along the entire stretch are dozens of bars, restaurants, hotels, concert halls and various other tourist attractions.

The sea has many hidden secrets along this part of the coast of Salvador.   Dozens of shipwrecks are hidden in these waters, making it a haven for divers.  Three miles from the lighthouse beach, the site known as Bank of Antonio is where the Greek ship Cavo Artemide rests, with a minimum depth of 9 meters and a maximum of 30 meters.  The ship Cabo Frio sank 80 years ago in front of the light house, only a quarter mile from short.  Along these stretches are also coral reefs.   It truly is a great place to go diving.

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