From beaches with calm crystal clear waters to others with enormous waves, a vast variety of beaches can be enjoyed in Florianopolis, catering for all tastes.

Owing to the layout of the island, the sea is calmer and warmer on the side of the continent than on the side of the Atlantic Ocean, which is highly suitable for doing surf and other water sports.

While the beaches from the north are the warmest and busiest ones, the ones located in the south west area are rougher and offer beautiful landscapes.

The most developed beaches and the ones that Argentine tourists strongly prefer are Canasvieiras and Praia dos Ingleses. Here, water sports and the bustling nightlife are some of the main attractions, especially in Canasvieiras.

Açores Beach is located 15 kilometers away from the center of Florianopolis, in the south end of the Pantano do Sul inlet.

Hard sand and cold water are the most notable features of this beach, where young people gather together.

Since a number of low houses were built in this beach over the past years, this is nowadays a densely populated area. Great for taking baths, especially when winds are slight.

Located 25 kilometers away from the center of the island, Armação Beach is 2.25 kilometers long.

This beach reminds visitors of an old village that used to be a base point for whale hunting. There are many waves though the sea here is still safe for swimmers.

Traditional fishing is a strong activity in this beach and a range of restaurants can be visited facing the square and the old chapel. It is also in Armação that one of the most important archeological sites of the province can be found.

Located 20 kilometers away from the center of Florianopolis, Barra da Lagoa is one of the island’s most popular beaches and the main fishing area.

The sea has gentle waves that allow surfing, especially on the right side of the beach.

A foot bridge has been built across the tidewater channel that links the lagoon to the sea. This bridge can be crossed in order to reach Prainha.

During the month of July the Festa da Tainha (The Party of the Mullet) takes place in Barra da Lagoa. Hundreds of visitors join this celebration, which is organized by local people.

As its name suggests, Bom Abrigo is a beach with calm waters and slight winds. This beach is located in a residential area. However, a range of bars and restaurants can be enjoyed here and the nightlife is the main attraction.

This beach proves ideal for surfers since waves are generally big. Nevertheless, it is still possible to take long baths.

Praia Brava is located 38 kilometers away from the center of the island, behind a hill from where a breathtaking panoramic view can be enjoyed.

With 1.7 kilometers of soft sand, the sea is pretty deep here since the beach is inclined. The commercial activity has increased greatly over the past years due to the number of buildings that are being put up here.

The calm water is the main feature of this beach. The island’s most beautiful houses can be found in this seaside resort.

It is located twenty seven kilometers away from the city center and a wide variety of camp sites can be found here

This beach, which bears a close similarity to places such as San Antonio de Lisboa and Sambaqui, proves ideal for people looking for a quiet place. A number of smart restaurants can be found at Cacupe, a great place to have a picnic or to go on a family holiday.

This beach is located in a bay, in a remote fishing village. Since the sea bottom is quite muddy, taking a bath here is not recommended. However, fishing for king prawns is a popular activity here.

Located 20 kilometers away from the city center, Campeche is a long beach surrounded by small dunes and vegetation.

This beach 11 kilometers long is one of the chief attractions in the south area of the island. A variety of bars and restaurants can be found at the entrance.

Facing Campeche beach we found an island bearing the same name, covered in lush natural vegetation.

Canasvieiras is a meeting place for Argentine tourists in Florianopolis. Hence, portuñol becomes the official language during the summer. This is one of the island’s busiest beaches.

Bars, restaurants, hotels, boites, camp sites and other tourist facilities can be found here allowing visitors to enjoy a pleasant stay.

Moreover, a variety of sports can be done here since all the necessary equipment is available for visitors. Many hotels, clubs and inns offer tennis courts, for example.

This beach, almost four kilometers long, has warm calm water with tiny waves. It is possible to travel by boat to nearby islands. Provided weather conditions are favorable, we can reach Anhatomirin island in forty minutes.

Nearer the beach, the Frenchman island is found. Another option in this beach, located twenty seven kilometers away from the center, is to hire bicycles.

This beach is ideal for families with small children since the sea here is quiet and warm. A vast number of summer houses can be seen along its three kilometers.

Leaving from Jurere International and after a steep slope, the beach known as Praia do Forte de São José da Ponta Grossa is found. This is one of the greatest fortresses the Portuguese settlers built. It is possible to eat seafood at any of the bars that are distributed along the beach or to hire boats for a ride.

The waters are calm and warm. However, due to the difficult access and the few services that are offered here, this beach is not very popular among tourists.

Dos Ingleses beach is located forty kilometers away from the center of this island. This beach, which is five kilometers long, is one of the top tourist destinations in summer. Its name comes from a ship that went down here in the year 1700.

This is one of the beaches with the best infrastructure in the island. Bars, petrol stations and a large number of summer houses available to rent can be found here. Furthermore, in this beach it is possible to go surfing or to take a pleasant bath at the same time.

Located next to Praia Mole, Praia da Galheta is a semi-deserted beach and it is only possible to access it on foot.

It can be reached by means of a 300 meter trail which begins at the left end of Praia Mole.

As there are no restaurants or other commercial establishments on Praia da Galheta, the beach is ideal for a public which wishes to enjoy nature at its fullest. In 1986 Galheta became a nude beach.

Although the number of visitors has diminished over the past years, this beach is still very popular among naturists. The waves are normally gentle and the water is as cold as in Praia Mole.

This small round inlet facing the north can be seen from Praia Mole. In order to reach this beach the headland must be crossed walking. Thus, this beach is almost deserted. It becomes a natural pool when the wind comes from the south since it is protected.

A rural landscape and rocks that spatter the sea are the main features of Itaguaçu Beach. This beach is located in the area where the first seaside resorts in Florianopolis began to develop. Its water is not suitable for taking baths. Nevertheless, it offers breathtaking views.

The Joaquina beach, which won fame when surfers from around the world discovered its waves and surf competitions began to be held, it is one of the beaches that offer the best tourist facilities. Moreover, it is located 17 kilometers away from the city center and the sea is quite rough here. This beach is known as “Joaca” among surfers.

Legend has it that an old lady named Joaquina was knitting in the sand when a mountainous wave devoured here. Nowadays, this beach is three and a half kilometers long.

In addition to hotels, restaurants, bars, lifeguards and police station, other services are offered in Joaquina, such as public showers and toilets. There is a small charge for using the last services.

Due to the great waves and the strong currents, taking a swim here is not recommended. This beach is always crammed with surfers and body borders wearing colourful suits.

Thanks to the lighting system of the beach it possible to practice sports during the night as well. Moreover, an ample private parking space, ice cream shops and arts and craft stores can be found here too.

Juerere is a beach four and a half kilometers long with green crystal clear warm waters, where there are hardly any waves.

It is located twenty three kilometers away from the city center.

Many summer houses can be found along Juerere. During this season a vast number of Latin tourists arrive at this beach, where good services are offered. Conditions for swimmers and sports people are excellent as well.

One of the main features of Jurere is its beautiful small bay, where sailboats and motorboats from the Santa Catarina Yacht Club make up stunning scenery.

With its carefully planned urban structure, Florianopolis’ greatest mansions can be found at this beach.

Petrol stations, supermarkets, clubs, shopping centers, police station, fine restaurants and other facilities can be found here. Jurere International is the beach that Argentine and Uruguayan tourists like best. Like most beaches from the north area, Jurere International has calm, crystal clear and warm waters, ideal for taking long baths.

The "Lagoa de Conceiçao" (Conceiçao Lagoon) is one of the best-known tourist spots in Florianopolis and an area of great historical importance. What is more, this beach has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment. At night, Lagoa de Conceiçao is an excellent attraction and a wide variety of bars and restaurants can be visited.

Artists, writers and more seek refuge in this beautiful place. This lagoon has almost 20 kilometers of salt waters and well preserved buildings from Colonial times can be found here.

Along Avenida das Rendeiras, the avenue surrounding the lake, you will find friendly old ladies that keep the tradition of weaving handmade linen fabrics alive. Tourists are encouraged to explore Florianopolis and all its attractions.

Another deserted beach that can only be accessed walking but it is definitely well worth visiting. The main route to reach this beach consists of a climb that takes about an hour. There is a path to follow along the headland.

The access is located between Armação and Pantano do Sul. There is no infrastructure whatsoever at this paradise of soft sand and rough sea. Lagoinha is located on the left side of the beach and campers settle in the edges.

The exuberant native forestry together with calm waters are the main features of this place, which is a natural attraction not to be missed. This beach is one kilometre and a half long.

A small river separates Matadeiro from Armação beach. Hence, the only way to access Matadeiro is walking. This place is excellent to go surfing and to do other sports such as volleyball, football, etc. A wide variety of bars can be found here as well.

Praia Mole is one of Brazil’s best surf spots. Yet it is not recommended for children as there is a deep pit on the shore that must be crossed in order to reach a sandbank.

Public parking, showers, toilets and lifeguard are some of the services offered here. Also, there are bars where seafood and snacks are served.

This beach is located 22 kilometers away from Florianopolis. Since the sea here is quite rough, extra care must be taken.

The access to the beach can be seen before reaching a bend in the path. This is an area of outstanding beauty, where the waves breaking on the rocky coastline are an attraction not to be missed.

At the top of the mount facing the beach, there is a building made from rocks taken from this beach, the Jesuit Priests' Retreat House. This building affords a stunning view of the Armação beach and the Peri Lagoon.

Also known as Praia Grande, this 12 km beach with soft sand is the island’s largest beach. This quiet, deserted beach, where almost no buildings can be found, is located thirty five kilometers away from the center and has a small commercial infrastructure.

Moçambique is located near the conservation areas and together with the Santinho Dunes and the park of Rio Vermelho they constitute a natural reserve. Such reserve covers an area of one thousand and four hundred square meters.

It is one of the best surfing beaches and the water here is cold. This beach got its name from a mollusk similar to an oyster, called Moçambique that can be easily found in its sand.

To access this beach, we must travel to Ribeirão da Ilha in first place, located about twenty eight kilometers from downtown Florianópolis. Naufragados beach is accessible via a trail which begins at the end of Caieira da Barra do Sul, twelve kilometers ahead.

Once there, we must walk three kilometer through the headland in order to reach the southernmost beach of the island. Although access is not easy, this beach offers breathtaking sceneries not to be missed.

The name Naufragados (Castaways) came from the sailors that found refuge on the beach in 1751, when a Portuguese ship ran aground during a storm. This beach, which is one thousand and five hundred meters long, has white sand and the sea is quite rough. It is highly recommended for people who prefer a wild and unspoilt landscape.

Considered one of the most traditional fishing villages of the Island, Pantano do Sul is located 31 kilometers away from the center of Florianopolis.

A wide variety of restaurants can be found here. Although the sea is quite rough, its waves hardly pose a risk for swimmers.

More than just a visually stunning area, the spot is also known for its archaeological wealth. It has a wide strip of sand 2.35 kilometres long.

Due to the enemy attacks this area had to resist in the past, the north part of Florianopolis is known for being better developed than the south, and Ponta das Canas is no different.

Located 34 km from downtown, Ponta das Canas is a beach with calm, quiet waters which are usually warm.

With a stretch of white fine sand about 1.9 km long, it offers good conditions for doing water sports. Many Argentine and Uruguayan tourists spend their summer holidays here.

Located in the south end of Caieira do Riberão, this beach consists of a rocky end where the fishermen live. Taking baths here is not recommended.

Located 36 kilometers from downtown Florianopolis, Ribeirão da Ilha was one of Florianópolis' first communities.

This place is made up of several small beaches with calm waters and thick sand. A well worth visiting beach with a rich history to discover.

The Azorean row houses, the museum, the Nossa Señora da Lapa Church, everything reminds us of the times of the Portuguese settlers.

Sambaqui, which belongs to the San Antonio de Lisboa district, is an ideal place for people looking for tranquility and an excellent option for leisure.

The name Sambaqui refers to the extensive deposits of shells, oyster shells, and other fossilized remains from indigenous communities that can be found in the sand.

This is a beach with calm and clear waters. Traditional parties such as the "Boi de Mamão" dance are held here to preserve the customs of the Azorian culture. A variety of bars and restaurants can be found here as well.

Like Sambaqui, San Antonio de Lisboa is a strikingly beautiful place. Its warm and calm waters are hugely enjoyed by tourists.

Santo Antônio de Lisboa was one of the first Azorean communities to settle in Florianopolis.

Rocks and stones can be found along the wide stretch of coarse sand. Oyster farms and fishing are very popular activities here.

Located approximately 40 km from downtown, Santinho beach is 2.5 kilometers long.

A rough sea and a wide stretch of white soft sand are the main features of this beach, which is a great surf spot. Moreover, this beach is highly popular among young people.

Santinho has a lot to offer in terms of history and culture as well. One striking example of this is the variety of rock inscriptions done by Carijós natives who inhabited the region thousands of years ago.

This calm, small and narrow beach is located at the end of Desembargador Pedro Silva Avenue. Very crowded and with a bushy grove, Saudade is not suitable for taking baths.

A small refuge surrounded by hills and rocks, in the south of Pantano do Sul. With a wide stretch of hard sand, it is great for taking baths when light winds blow. There are several attractions to enjoy here, including a stream that runs down the hill and forms a waterfall with a natural pool.

Tapera is located on the west coast of the island, near the airport, thirty kilometers away from downtown. The water is clean and calm.

This beach is one and a half kilometers long and its sand is white, hard and coarse. The “Isla do Largo” is found in the sea facing this beach. There are bars next to the beach and it is an excellent option for leisure.