The Rio Grande's port jetties (Molhes da Barra de Rio Grande) compose a maritime hydraulic structure located in the cities of Rio Grande and São José do Norte.
It is an important work for the waterway transport, its construction aims to protect the entrance channel of the Laguna dos Patos (Duck's Lagoon) from the formation of sandbanks, thus enabling the ships to leave the Atlantic Ocean, enter lagoon and reach the Rio Grande port.
The jetties start at the point where the Laguna dos Patos meets the Atlantic Ocean at Praia do Cassino (longest beach in the Wolrd, around 150 miles long). It is made with stones of various sizes where the largest ones weigh up to 10 tons and were extracted from the deposits of the neighboring municipality of Capão do Leão.
The transport of the stones to the Jetties was done through a railway line built especially for this. Today this line is used as a tourist tour, you can board a wagon - a small railroad vehicle with sailing, or human traction in case of no wind - on the mainland and after 4km the tour ends at the end of the railway line, at sea .
In July 2017, the wagon costs R$ 50,00, round trip, for up to 6 people.
The hours of operation of the wagons are from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily, except on rainy days
However, there are also free options to make the journey. The path can be done on foot or by bicycle. However, motorcycles and other motor vehicles can not travel over the Jetties.
The first stage of construction began in 1911 and was completed in 1919. In 2010 there was an addition of extension in the piers, complementing the structure that can be visited today.
Enjoy this natural beauty of Rio Grande do Sul and Brazil, leave the testimonial of your adventure to get there and some photos if possible.