Ponta do Seixas: the easternmost point of the Americas

At Ponta do Seixas, João Pessoa holds the only Brazilian extreme that is also the easternmost point of the entire American continent.

Ponta do Seixas is the easternmost point of Brazil and, at the same time, of the entire American continent — a geographic uniqueness that makes it one of the most symbolic stops on any João Pessoa itinerary. Its approximate coordinates are 7°8'55" south latitude and 34°47'49" west longitude. The site's official designation as the eastern extreme of the Americas was established by Navy officers in 1941, when surveys determined the geographic positions of the point and of neighboring areas.

The site lies a few meters from the Cabo Branco Lighthouse, built in 1972 atop the cliff, standing 19 meters tall with a light range of 27 nautical miles. Its triangular concrete tower, painted white with a horizontal black stripe, was designed to recall the shape of a sisal plant — a unique architectural feature among the country's lighthouses. It is worth noting that Ponta do Seixas and Cabo Branco are neighboring but distinct neighborhoods and beaches: the two names are commonly confused.

The area is surrounded by coastal tablelands, flat-topped sedimentary formations that rise above the sea line, shaping the cliff scenery characteristic of this stretch of the waterfront. From there one can view the Atlantic Ocean from one of the first stretches of the continent's coastline to receive sunlight.

To get there, access is via the avenue that connects the Cabo Branco waterfront to Ponta do Seixas, within the city of João Pessoa itself. It is a quick outing, generally combined with a visit to the lighthouse and the cliff lookouts, ideal for photos at sunrise or in the late afternoon.