Projeto Tamar is a Brazilian program dedicated to protecting sea turtles, active since the late 1970s. Today it operates 26 centers spread along the coastline, seven of which are open to the public as museums, aquariums, and educational spaces. From Praia do Forte (Bahia) to Fernando de Noronha, passing through Ubatuba, Aracaju, Vitória, Arembepe, and Regência, these sites allow you to observe several turtle species, understand their life cycle, and appreciate the scale of conservation work carried out on Brazil's beaches.

Why visit a Tamar center

Tamar centers combine three interests: scientific, ecological, and family-oriented. Here you can observe up close olive ridley, hawksbill, loggerhead, leatherback, and green turtles — the five species present in Brazil, all threatened. The exhibitions trace the nesting cycle, tagging techniques, and the impact of accidental fishing, while outdoor tanks serve as rehabilitation facilities for injured individuals. Over forty years of activity, the program has released more than 40 million baby turtles into the sea, a result that has made Tamar a global reference in marine conservation.

History of Projeto Tamar

The adventure began in 1977 on the atoll das Rocas, off Brazil's northeastern coast. Guy Marcovaldi, then an oceanography student, and several of his classmates discovered one morning eleven sea turtles butchered and gutted by fishermen on the beach. The shock triggered an inquiry. Working with his friend José Catuetê de Albuquerque, Marcovaldi drafted a report documenting the consumption and hunting of turtles, illustrated with photographs. The document was sent to environmental institutions and the Federal University of Rio Grande, which responded by launching the first courses training the founding generation of Brazilian ecology.

Three years later, José Catuetê was hired at the Brazilian Institute for Forest Development (IBDF) and escalated the report to management. In 1980, the government released initial funding. With a modest budget and the single Bye Bye Brasil playing on their cassette player, the team traveled the coastline to survey nesting beaches and identify threats. The initiative was named Projeto Tartarugas Marinhas, quickly shortened to Projeto Tamar.

The seven centers open to visitors

Praia do Forte (Bahia)

The historic headquarters of the program, this center resembles an educational aquatic park. Sandy trails, wooden bridges, and large outdoor tanks allow observation of multiple species. You'll find aquariums, a hatchery where olive ridley, hawksbill, and loggerhead eggs incubate, and a terrace overlooking the beach. On Saturday evenings, the cultural space hosts jazz, blues, and reggae concerts performed by local artists.

Aracaju (Sergipe)

The Oceanário de Aracaju attracts approximately 160,000 visitors annually and presents nearly 70 species from Sergipe state. Its centerpiece is a giant turtle-shaped aquarium home to rays, sharks, moray eels, and coastal fish (caranhas, vermelhos, meros). Outdoor tanks house turtles, small sharks, and crustaceans, some accessible for supervised interaction.

Ubatuba (São Paulo)

Founded in 1991, this center is organized around a garden crossed by long tanks. It emphasizes environmental education, with a panoramic aquarium, a space displaying marine reptile skeletons and silhouettes, a play area, and a small auditorium for lectures and concerts.

Fernando de Noronha (Pernambuco)

On the archipelago designated a World Heritage site, the Tamar center is largely an open-air museum integrated into a garden. Exhibitions cover turtle biology, their migrations, and the human pressures threatening them. As a major nesting site, it is one of the network's richest observation points.

Vitória (Espírito Santo)

Opened in 2012, this urban center offers an exhibition circuit, observation tanks, and an auditorium for lectures. It particularly appeals to families and school groups.

Arembepe (Bahia)

One of the earliest historic bases, established in the 1990s. The beachfront site blends endemic vegetation with turtle tanks. The cultural space details nest surveillance and rehabilitation of injured animals.

Regência (Espírito Santo)

More off-the-beaten-path, this base showcases all five Brazilian species and provides access to two nature trails, Porto Histórico and Farol do Rio Doce. You may encounter capybaras, tamarins, and black-tailed marmosets with their distinctive black and white fur. Creative workshops are offered for children.

When to visit

Tamar centers are open year-round, but the nesting and hatching season is the highlight. Along the northeast coast (Bahia, Sergipe, Pernambuco), nesting typically runs from September to March, with hatchings from November to May. On the southeast coast (São Paulo, Espírito Santo), the calendar shifts slightly. Check with the center to witness a baby turtle release, organized according to hatchings and weather conditions.

Practical information

• Hours: most centers open during the day, six or seven days a week. Verify closure days before visiting, as they vary by site.
• Admission fees: moderate entrance fees at most centers; free entry noted at Fernando de Noronha, but the archipelago requires an environmental tax and national park access fee payable in advance.
• Visit duration: allow 1 to 2 hours for a standard center, longer for Praia do Forte and Aracaju.
• Shop: each center has a gift shop whose sales directly fund the conservation program.

How to get there

• Praia do Forte: approximately 60 km north of Salvador de Bahia, accessible by regional bus then taxi.
• Aracaju: city center location, accessible by taxi or ride-sharing from any district.
• Ubatuba: 3 to 4 hours by bus from São Paulo via Viação Litorânea, then taxi.
• Fernando de Noronha: about 1 hour flight from Natal (or Recife). Island access requires advance reservation and fees.
• Vitória: urban center, taxi or bus to Praça do Papa, a few minutes on foot.
• Arembepe: approximately 40 km from Salvador, via Camaçari, then local road.
• Regência: more complex access, recommended as part of an organized tour.

Nearby attractions

The Tamar network sits within regions rich in natural and cultural sites. If you explore the Bahia coast or venture further into Brasil, you can extend your visit with other nature experiences: Buraco das Araras and the Sucuri River in Mato Grosso do Sul, or Estância Mimosa for clear-water hiking. In major cities, the Maracanã Stadium and Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí complement a Rio itinerary.

Frequently asked questions

Extend the experience

A Tamar visit fits naturally into a coastal circuit or broader discovery of the country. To craft your customized itinerary, consult our trips to Brasil.