Good to know
Good to Know
- A rental car is highly recommended to maximize beach variety—the 70+ beaches span the island and are not all easily connected by public transport.
- Each Floripa beach has distinct character; most beaches are within 10 minutes of the city by car, though some (like Lagoinha de Leste) require hiking.
- Northern bay beaches (Daniela, Canasvieiras, Jurerê) have calm waters ideal for families; eastern-facing beaches have consistent waves for surfers.
- Parking at popular beaches can be expensive or difficult; street vendors may demand informal fees if parking on roadsides.
- Water can be contaminated occasionally—watch for red flags and beach closure notices.
- Many southern beaches remain underdeveloped and less crowded even in peak season.
Beaches
Praia Dos Ingleses
- Best For
- Families seeking amenities; surfers; those wanting nightlife proximity
- Highlights
- Largest sand dunes on island; lunchtime restaurant discounts; sandboarding opportunity
- Water Conditions
- Open ocean; rougher surf on western stretch
- Description
- Lively, heavily developed beach with strong infrastructure. Busy central stretch popular with tourists and families. Excellent amenities including shops, restaurants, bars, and hotels nearby. West end offers strong waves for surfers.
Character
- party
- full-service
- family
Jurerê Internacional
- Best For
- Upscale travelers; party atmosphere seekers; families seeking daytime amenities
- Highlights
- Luxury beach clubs (P12 Jurerê hosts major parties); pristine white sand; crystal-clear waters; exclusive dining
- Water Conditions
- Calm, swimmable; bay-side setting
- Description
- Upscale beach resort area known as island's most chique destination. Home to luxury beach clubs and high-end dining. Famous DJ-hosted beach parties during peak season. Family-friendly by day, glamorous and party-focused by night.
Character
- party
- full-service
Praia Mole
- Best For
- Surfers; younger travelers; those seeking lively social atmosphere
- Highlights
- Iconic surf beach; soft white sand; rocky outcrops for scenic views; consistent waves; accessible beach bars
- Water Conditions
- Powerful, consistent waves; ocean-facing
- Description
- Young, vibrant beach popular with surfers and younger crowds. Beautifully framed by green hills and rocky outcrops. White soft sand (mole=soft in Portuguese). Stadium lights enable night surfing. Lively beach bars and good food options.
Character
- party
- full-service
Praia Do Campeche
- Best For
- Quiet seekers; families; those wanting less tourist density
- Highlights
- Long stretch allows easy crowd avoidance; turquoise waters; nearby Ilha do Campeche boat tours; low development
- Water Conditions
- Calm waters on south end; suitable for swimming
- Description
- Laid-back, relaxed beach far enough south to escape high-season crowds. Wide sandy stretch rarely feels busy. Much less commercialized than northern beaches. Good for unwind-focused visits. Calm stretch on right side perfect for families with kids.
Character
- quiet
- family
Praia Da Barra Da Lagoa
- Best For
- Families; those seeking food and shopping; turtle conservation interest
- Highlights
- Fishing village charm; shops and restaurants lining sand; TAMAR turtle center (entrance R$36); gateway to longer Praia do Moçambique
- Water Conditions
- Calm; suitable for swimming and family use
- Description
- Popular beach centered on historic fishing village. Dense shops, restaurants, and colorful parasols along main stretch. Good central location—15km from downtown, short drive from Lagoa da Conceição. Home to TAMAR sea turtle sanctuary.
Character
- full-service
- family
Praia Da Joaquina
- Best For
- Surfers; wave enthusiasts; adventure-seekers
- Highlights
- Consistent, powerful waves; stadium-lit night surfing; rock formations; sand dunes nearby; beach vendors
- Water Conditions
- Strong waves; excellent for surfers
- Description
- Vibrant surf beach with spirit of adventure. Known for excellent surfing conditions, especially winter peak waves. Features stadium lights for night surfing. Massive smooth rocks provide scenic chilling spots. Food vendors and nearby sand dunes.
Character
- party
- full-service
Praia Da Galheta
- Best For
- Those seeking solitude and scenic beauty
- Highlights
- Pristine, hard-to-reach setting; green hill backdrop; scenic isolation
- Water Conditions
- Ocean-facing; varies with conditions
- Description
- One of island's prettiest beaches, accessible only on foot from Praia Mole (trails through dunes at north end). Largely unspoiled. Clothing-optional beach popular with LGBTQ+ visitors and families seeking natural setting. Also a popular gay cruising area but maintains family-friendly reputation.
Character
- quiet
Praia Do Santinho
- Best For
- Those seeking quieter alternative to Ingleses; joggers; sunrise enthusiasts
- Highlights
- Excellent sunrise views; hard sand surface for running; less crowded than Ingleses; easy beach connection walk
- Water Conditions
- Strong waves; eastern exposure
- Description
- Beautiful beach quieter than nearby Praia dos Ingleses. Easy walking path connects the two. Hard sand surface perfect for jogging. Strong sunrise views (east-facing). South end more tourist-populated near Costão do Santinho Resort. Small bars available.
Character
- quiet
- full-service
- family
Praia Da Daniela
- Best For
- Quiet seekers; families wanting minimal development
- Highlights
- Peaceful, quietest option in north; bay-side calm waters
- Water Conditions
- Very calm; almost no waves; bay-side
- Description
- Quietest of the northern bay beaches. Calm, protected waters. Small 2-kiosk beach for drinks/snacks (limited services). Stock up at village mini-markets before going. Peaceful, remote 18th-century village feel.
Character
- quiet
- family
Praia Da Canasvieiras
- Best For
- Families wanting calm waters; first-time visitors seeking access
- Highlights
- Calm waters; heavy infrastructure; good food/shopping
- Water Conditions
- Very calm; bay-side with minimal waves
- Description
- Bay-side beach with pleasant calm waters and almost no waves. Urbanized and packed in summer. Numerous restaurants and amenities. Good central access for exploring island beaches.
Character
- full-service
- family
Lagoinha De Leste
- Best For
- Serious hikers; solitude seekers; day-trip adventurers
- Highlights
- Pristine, undeveloped; scenic hilltop setting; river; lagoon viewpoint (+45 min climb)
- Water Conditions
- Varies; open ocean-facing
- Description
- One of island's prettiest, most remote beaches on protected headland. Accessible only via 4km (~2.5-mile) hiking trail from Pântano do Sul (90 minutes one-way). Wild, untouched beach nestled at bottom of large hill with small river flowing into ocean. Small bars but limited food. Camping possible.
Character
- quiet
Overview
Florianópolis offers 40+ beaches across the island, each with distinct character. Northern bay beaches feature calm waters ideal for families; eastern-facing beaches attract surfers with consistent waves; southern beaches offer quiet, less-developed settings.
Seasonal Notes
December–February: peak summer, busiest, highest prices, carnival in February. April–May & September–October: warm water, fewer crowds, lower chance of rain (sweet spot). May–August: quieter beaches, cooler nights, oyster season.
Amenities Pricing
- Surf Lesson
- R$100
- Tamar Sea Turtle Center
- R$36
Board Rental
- Range USD
- 6–15 USD per day
- Range Local
- 30–80 BRL per day
Beach Caipirinha
- Range USD
- 3–6 USD
- Range Local
- 18–32 BRL
Kilo Buffet Lunch
- Range USD
- 5–9 USD
- Range Local
- 25–45 BRL
Boat To Ilha Do Campeche
- Range USD
- 19–35 USD
- Range Local
- 100–180 BRL
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this beaches research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Florianópolis
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.