Florianópolis beaches
From the calm water of Jurerê to the trails of Lagoinha do Leste: how to choose your beach.
Updated on October 7, 2026 ✓ Information checked on October 6, 2026 adapted from the Portuguese original
Florianópolis has dozens of beaches, and they are very different from one another. The general rule is simple: the North has calmer water, facing the North Bay; the East and South face the open ocean, with waves and colder water; the beaches on the South Bay, such as those in Ribeirão da Ilha, are calm and used more for strolling and eating out.
Which to choose
| Beach | Region | Good for | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jurerê | North | families, calm water, beach clubs | car or bus |
| Canasvieiras | North | facilities, schooner trips, families | car or bus |
| Ingleses | North | facilities and a sheltered bay | car or bus |
| Santinho | North | waves and rock art | car or bus |
| Praia Brava | North | surfing and clear water | car |
| Joaquina | East | surfing and dunes | car or bus |
| Praia Mole | East | scenery, surfing, paragliding | car or bus |
| Galheta | East | nature with no facilities | trail |
| Barra da Lagoa | East | fishing village, families | car or bus |
| Moçambique | East | the longest and emptiest | car |
| Campeche | South | wide sand and island views | car or bus |
| Armação | South | artisanal fishing, boats | car or bus |
| Matadeiro | South | rustic, surfing | on foot |
| Lagoinha do Leste | South | the wildest of all | trail or boat |
| Pântano do Sul | South | seafood | car or bus |
| Naufragados | South | seclusion and history | trail or boat |
Golden rules
- Arrive early in summer: parking lots fill up.
- Take your trash back with you, especially on beaches with no facilities.
- On the dunes and the restinga (coastal scrub), walk only on marked areas.
By region
Places mentioned
-
Free access South of the island Campeche Beach The long beach in the south of the island, facing the open sea, with Campeche Island right in front. See details -
Free accessKids North of the island Jurerê Beach Calm water on the North Bay, with the planned neighborhood of Jurerê Internacional. See details -
Free accessKids North of the island Canasvieiras Beach One of the busiest beaches in summer, with calm water and the schooner departure point. See details -
Free accessKids South of the island Armação Beach An artisanal fishing village with an 18th-century church and boats to Campeche Island. See details -
Free accessKids North of the island Ingleses Beach A long bay in the northeast of the island, with dunes and plenty of tourist facilities. See details -
Free accessKids East of the island Joaquina Beach and Dunes The beach that became famous in world surfing, and the pale dunes where people go sandboarding. See details -
Free accessTrail South of the island Matadeiro Beach A small, rustic beach reached on foot from Armação, with waves and a trail to Lagoinha. See details -
Free access East of the island Praia Mole One of the island's most beautiful beaches, between hills and rocks, with surfing and paragliding. See details -
Free access North of the island Santinho Beach An open-sea beach with dunes and rock carvings etched into the headland. See details -
Free accessTrail East of the island Galheta Beach A beach with no buildings, reachable only by trail, inside a protected area. See details -
Free accessTrail South of the island Lagoinha do Leste The wild beach with an S-shaped lagoon, reachable only by trail or by boat. See details -
Free access North of the island Praia Brava A beach of clear water and waves between hills, with buildings facing the sea. See details -
Free access East of the island Moçambique Beach The island's longest beach, deserted and surrounded by dunes and forest. See details -
Free accessTrail South of the island Naufragados Beach The southernmost beach on the island, reached by a forest trail or by boat. See details
Beaches
In this section
Frequently asked questions
What is the best beach in Florianópolis?
It depends on what you want: Jurerê and Canasvieiras for calm water; Joaquina and Praia Mole for surfing; Lagoinha do Leste for nature.
Which Florianópolis beaches have calm water?
Those in the North, facing the North Bay, such as Jurerê and Canasvieiras.
Is the sea cold in Florianópolis?
On the ocean beaches of the East and South, the water tends to be cold for much of the year; in the North, facing the bay, it is usually more pleasant in summer.
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