Santa Maria Pier (Pontão)
Pontão de Santa Maria
A wooden pier in the middle of Santa Maria beach. Fishermen unload their catch in the early morning, children jump in from it, and at sunset it is the town's landmark for watching the sun go down.
This wooden pier was built in the salt-trade era to load salt from the pans, and it is now a landmark of Santa Maria. Around 10 a.m., fishing boats return to harbour and fishermen unload their catch, including tuna and grouper, onto the pier. They gut and sell the fish on the spot, and the scene is lively. Local children often dive off the pier, and the water on either side is clear enough to see schools of fish. In the evening, you can stroll along the beach to the pier to watch the sunset. Entry is free and the pier is open all day. It is a few minutes' walk from the town centre and is best visited together with the beach and the pedestrian street. Ask permission before photographing fishermen.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Santa Maria Beach, Sal
- Santa Maria Salt Pans
- Ponta Preta
- Kite Beach (Costa da Fragata)
- Serra Negra Nature Reserve
- Murdeira Bay
- Monte Leão (Lion Mountain)
- Shark Bay (Baía da Parda)