Best Beaches in Florianópolis, Brazil
Florianópolis has over 40 beaches spread across an island roughly 54 km long. They range from sheltered family bays in the north to exposed surf beaches on the east coast and wild, trail-access-only stretches in the south. No single beach does everything — the best one for you depends entirely on what you’re after.
Florianópolis’s north coast beaches — calm water, good infrastructure, and the most accessible options for families and first-time visitors to the island.
1. Praia Mole
Praia Mole — backed by dunes and Atlantic forest, with a relaxed atmosphere and waves suitable for beginner and intermediate surfers.
Praia Mole sits between two rocky headlands on the east coast, backed by dunes and a strip of Atlantic forest that keeps it feeling less urban than the north coast beaches. The waves are consistent but more forgiving than Joaquina next door — good for beginner and intermediate surfers, and manageable for swimmers on calmer days.
The beach has a well-established social scene. The bars and kiosks behind the sand are busy from mid-morning, and the crowd skews young — it’s one of the most popular beaches with Florianópolis’s local university crowd and with younger tourists. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious.
Praia Mole is also known for being one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly beaches on the island, particularly the left side of the beach near the rocks. The atmosphere is open and the crowd reflects that.
2. Praia da Joaquina
Joaquina — one of the most respected surf beaches in southern Brazil, with large dunes rising directly behind the sand and consistent Atlantic swells year-round.
Joaquina is the most famous beach in Florianópolis and one of the best surf spots in southern Brazil. The Atlantic swells here are powerful and consistent — the beach has hosted national surf championships and produces waves that experienced surfers travel specifically to ride. It is not a swimming beach for casual visitors.
What makes Joaquina worth visiting even if you don’t surf is the landscape. The Dunas da Joaquina — a large dune system that rises 40 meters directly behind the beach — gives you a panoramic view over the ocean on one side and the Lagoa da Conceição on the other. You can rent sandboards at the base of the dunes for R$20–30 per hour and slide down the steeper faces, which sounds minor but is genuinely enjoyable.
The dune walk alone takes about an hour if you cross to the lagoon side and back. In the late afternoon the light across the dunes is particularly good.
3. Jurerê Internacional
Jurerê Internacional — the most upscale beach in Florianópolis, with calm water, well-maintained infrastructure, and a string of beach clubs along the shore.
Jurerê Internacional is the most polished beach on the island. Located in the north, it faces a sheltered bay rather than the open Atlantic — which means calm, flat water suitable for children and non-swimmers. The beach is wide, well-maintained, and lined with beach clubs and restaurants that are some of the most expensive on the island.
It’s popular with Brazilians from São Paulo and with Argentine tourists, who have driven the development of an upscale strip of clubs and restaurants that get busy on summer weekends. The beach itself is free to access — the beach clubs are optional.
For a calmer alternative nearby, Jurerê Tradicional — the older part of the neighborhood just west of Jurerê Internacional — has a similar beach with less commercial infrastructure and a more family-oriented atmosphere.
4. Lagoinha do Leste
Lagoinha do Leste — accessible only on foot through Atlantic forest, this wild beach and freshwater lagoon at the southern tip of the island is the most dramatic landscape on Florianópolis.
Lagoinha do Leste is the most rewarding beach on the island for anyone willing to earn it. There’s no road access — you reach it either by a 90-minute hike through Atlantic forest from Pântano do Sul, or by informal boat from Armação beach. The result is a beach that sees a fraction of the visitors that the accessible beaches do, even in summer.
The landscape is unlike anything else on the island: a long crescent of wild sand, a freshwater lagoon at one end fed by a small waterfall, rocky headlands on both sides, and hills covered in Atlantic forest behind. There’s no infrastructure at all — no kiosks, no toilets, no shade structures. You bring what you need and take everything back.
Swimming conditions vary significantly. The ocean side can be rough, and the lagoon — while calm — is cold year-round. On the right day, the lagoon offers excellent swimming in clean freshwater surrounded by extraordinary scenery. On a rough day, you come for the walk and the views.
5. Barra da Lagoa
Barra da Lagoa — where the Lagoa da Conceição meets the ocean through a narrow canal, with a fishing village on one side and a long beach on the other.
Barra da Lagoa is where the Lagoa da Conceição drains into the Atlantic through a narrow canal. On one side of the canal is a small fishing village with simple seafood restaurants and a relaxed, community feel that’s increasingly rare in Florianópolis. On the other side is a long, clean beach that’s calmer than Praia Mole and considerably less crowded.
The canal crossing — either by the footbridge or the small wooden ferry (R$3–5) — is part of the experience. The village side has good seafood restaurants that are significantly cheaper than the beachfront options further north, and the fish is fresh from the boats that dock in the canal every morning.
From Barra da Lagoa you can also access the Trilha da Costa da Lagoa — a flat, 7 km path along the western shore of the lagoon passing through isolated communities only reachable on foot or by boat. The restaurants at the end of the trail serve excellent and cheap fresh seafood — a worthwhile half-day trip on its own.
Practical Notes
- A car is essential for exploring Florianópolis’s beaches properly. Public transport exists but is slow and doesn’t reach the southern beaches at all.
- In peak summer (December–January), beach road traffic is severe. Leave early or go late afternoon — mid-morning to mid-afternoon is the worst window.
- Always check the flag system before swimming on east-coast beaches. Red flag means dangerous conditions — take it seriously.
- Lagoinha do Leste is only accessible in good weather. Check the forecast before committing to the hike — a wet trail through Atlantic forest is slippery and unpleasant.
- Most beaches have paid parking in summer. Budget R$20–40 for a full day depending on location.
- Sunscreen is essential year-round in Florianópolis — the UV index is high even on overcast days. SPF 50 and reapply every two hours.