Views of Gravatá Beach

Floripa & Its Beaches

The island of Santa Catarina, home to the vibrant city of Florianópolis (or Floripa), has some of the most incredible nature and wildlife in southern Brazil. Its coastline is as diverse as it is beautiful, especially when it comes to the beaches: endless stretches of white sand, secluded palm-lined coves, those backed by rolling sand dunes, and those framed by lush mountains or rocky cliffs.

Due to the island's rugged terrain, many top spots are hidden in protected nature reserves, meaning you'll need to hike in—no roads lead directly there! Instead of crowds or infrastructure of any kind, they're surrounded by raw nature and wildlife. Others are more accessible, perfect for families or relaxed days of sunbathing and beach activities like surfing. Referred to as the surfing capital of Brazil, Floripa is known to have the perfect wind-wave combination for both pros and beginners—or, like me (not a great surfer), for laying on the sand to watch the action!

My days here were spent trekking through jungle trails, swimming in clear blue waters, biking around calm lagoons, paddleboarding, and eating lots of delicious Brazilian meals. After two months exploring the island, I fell in love with every beach I was able to see, each with a unique feature to offer. Out of over 40 to choose from, I spent quality time at around 10 and can't wait to go back and see more. In this post I’ll share my top 4 favorites in Florianópolis, what makes them stand out, and why they're worth your time!

Praia do Campeche (Campeche Beach)

Campeche Beach stands out as one of the top spots for surfing—especially kitesurfing—on the entire island. If you’d like to learn how to surf or kitesurf, this is the prime location with many lessons offered nearby. The wind and wave conditions make it favorable for surfers, but the same conditions that make it great for them make it not so great for swimmers. Rest assured, this beach is gorgeous and offers tons of other perks, like sunbathing, walking or biking along the shore, picnicking, and playing the beloved Brazilian racket game called frescobol (I became quite an expert at it after many long days here!)

Spanning 3.5km, it's one of the longest stretches of sand on the island, connecting seamlessly with Joaquina Beach to the north and Morro das Pedras Beach to the south. Just behind the sands are the small dunes of Campeche, dotted with sandbanks, vegetation, and shrubs (note: these aren't large enough for sandboarding—visit Joaquina for that!).

There isn’t a direct sunset view from the beach, but sit on the dunes as the sun begins to disappear and you'll get to watch the blue sky turn into the most amazing assortment of pink and orange. After dark, locals and visitors often settle into sunken, wind-sheltered spots in the dunes to make campfires!

Ilha do Campeche (Campeche Island)

The beach has a view of Campeche Island: a beautiful little gem about 1.5km offshore with its own pristine beach, ancient archaeological sites, and nature trails. It's an ideal half-day trip, accessible only by boat. Options include departing from Campeche Beach (fastest journey—5 minutes, ~$50 USD round trip), Armação Beach (30-40 minutes, $30-50 USD), or Barra da Lagoa (longest journey—up to 1hr 20 minutes, $30-40 USD). Most trips give you 4-6 hours on the island (depending on the company), starting around 9am and traveling back to the mainland around 2pm.

Campeche Island from the airplane

You can book directly at the docks at the various departure spots (usually cash-only) or from websites like Viator. Be sure to ask in advance if they have snorkeling gear—more likely for advance online booking than in-person—and if not, bring your own. Also pack snacks and drinks since there's no vendors on the tiny, untouched island.

Magellanic Penguins

Personal story & fun fact, so you can (SKIP if you'd like!):

Since we based ourselves in Campeche for our two-month stay, my boyfriend and I started off most mornings with a run on Campeche Beach, and during these runs we were witness to a few interesting nature-related events. We spotted a seal on the sand seemingly playing with a dog before it bolted back to the ocean, hundreds (honestly possibly thousands, it sounds dramatic but this was insane) of HUGE washed-up weird-looking bugs (this I still have no explanation for), and, more than once, dead penguins on the shore. This definitely confused us—what are penguins doing there, and where did they come from? So we researched it!

It turns out they're called Magellanic penguins, and they came from either the Falkland Islands, Argentina, or Chile. Every year, from June to October (peaking in July-August), they migrate to the Brazilian coast, typically between the states of Rio de Janeiro and Santa Catarina. Sadly, some don't make the migration: sickness, injuries, or bad storms take their toll. Due to wind and current patterns in the area, they'll sometimes wash up dead or injured on Floripa’s beaches. In 2022, nearly 600 penguins died within the span of a few days due to a bad extratropical cyclone, many of which ended up here.

The Santos Basin Beach Monitoring Project has been studying these penguins (plus other marine animals like sea turtles and dolphins) and rescuing the weak or injured ones from Santa Catarina since 2015. In short, it’s perfectly normal to see some penguins in Floripa during their annual migration period, though we weren’t lucky enough to see any live ones.

Praia da Joaquina (Joaquina Beach)

Nestled at the northern end of Campeche Beach, Joaquina Beach (Praia da Joaquina) is framed by those massive, unmistakable boulders that give this beach its unique landscape. Looking towards Campeche in the south, you'll catch picturesque views of distant mountains blending into the sky above and ocean below. Alongside Campeche, it's the other top surfing beach: Joaquina has more of the best, most consistent waves on the island—water events have been hosted here since the 70s, giving Joaquina international recognition. Like Campeche beach, though, it’s not ideal for swimming so stick to the shallows.

For a pretty vantage point of Joaquina, or just a nice place to hang off the sand, wade out to the big rock outcrop where locals fish (best to visit during low tide). If you continue with a bit of rock-scrambling along the left cliffs, you’ll come across a peaceful spot to sit and watch crazy waves break against the rocks.

The beachfront of Joaquina has a lot of food vendors—restaurants, bars, and beach clubs directly on the sand—making it more lively than some quieter spots. There are multiple volleyball courts and a cute hotel (Hotel Joaquina Beach) with ocean-view rooms and a pool.

Sandboarding

Backing the beach are large rolling sand dunes that, unlike the Campeche's smaller ones, are perfect for sandboarding. Here you can "surf" the sand with scenic ocean views—a huge draw for tourists like myself who can’t surf on water. Known as the Dunes of Joaquina, you can rent a board for around R$30/hour (~$6 USD) from vendors on-site or bring your own! There's a large parking lot behind the beach next to the dunes, plus street parking on the access road, so finding a spot won't be a problem.

Praia de Canajurê (Canajurê Beach)

Located at the far north side of the island, Canajurê Beach is a secluded, palm-lined beach with calm waters (perfect for swimming) and easy accessibility (perfect for families who want a bit of adventure without a long trek). Technically, it's one long beach that splits into a few smaller coves, each connected by short walking trails, leading to the most private—and nicest—spot at the end.

To reach it, park or land at the last car-accessible area near the end of the main beach (close to Marina de Croa/Marina Blue Fox—google maps link here). From the end of the beach, enter and follow the narrow coastal path, pass two mini coves, and you'll hit the third in around 5 minutes. The gorgeous leaning palms are the indicator you’re in the right spot. The waters here are way calmer than at Campeche and Joaquina, so swimming here is ideal—relaxing and refreshing without having to worry about strong waves and currents.

This part of the beach isn't backed by restaurants or bars, so pack a picnic if you're staying the day or walk back to the main road when it’s time to eat! Either way I recommend exploring the surrounding neighborhood, Canasvieiras. Starting on Avenida Dos Búzios, you'll find lines of restaurants, shops, bars, and hotels. It’s a vibrant area: the north side of the island is significantly more developed than the west, with more upscale beach resorts (though I personally much prefer nature vibes in the west for lodging). For tips on picking the perfect spot to stay based on your needs, check my post on The Safest Place to Stay in Brazil: A Guide to Florianópolis.

Sunsets: One of my favorite things about Canajurê is that you can see the sun set over the sea—it's on the north side of the island, but faces west—unlike Campeche or Joaquina on the east. It's the perfect spot and best side of the island to watch it!!

Ilha do Francês (French Island)

From nearby marinas like Marina de Croa, you can join a boat tour for snorkeling to see reefs and marine life. Many of them departing from Canajurê head to spots like Ilha do Francês—a small tropical island around 1-2 km offshore from the north coast known for its clear, sheltered waters and shallow reefs full of animals like colorful fish, sea turtles, seahorses, and octopus. Tours last 1-2 hours (or up to 3-4 hours including kayaking or SUP) and cost around R$100-200. Booking in advance is highly recommended especially during peak season.

Praia do Gravatá (Gravatá Beach)

When you’re visiting Florianópolis, you cannot miss a trip to this beach—Gravatá is by far my #1 favorite hidden gem on the island. That said, if you want to spend the day swimming and otter-spotting here, prepare for a hike! Like some of the island's best, it's inside a protected nature reserve (a permanent preservation area/PPA). The path ((often called Caminho dos Pescadores or Trilha Praia do Gravatá)) treks through the dense Atlantic Forest along a trail rich in flora and fauna for about 30-40 minutes before ultimately reaching the beach. You'll have incredible views the whole way and pass tons of spiky Gravatá plants—the native bromeliads that give the trail and beach their name.

The reward for the hike is a tiny, pristine bay (only 60-75 meters of soft white sand) backed by rocky cliffs and grassy hills. Rarely crowded, the bay allows for protection from the strong waves, making it a very enjoyable place to swim in the clear, calm conditions. I highly recommend visiting in the morning, picnic in tow, and spending the whole day here! For a full hiking guide to Gravatá Beach (including trail tips and starting points) and guides to other stunning hikes on the island, visit my post: A Guide to the Best Hikes in Florianópolis (Santa Catarina Island)!

From the surf vibes at Campeche to the calm coves of Canajurê, the wild dunes of Joaquina, and the secluded serenity of Gravatá, it's clear that Floripa shouldn't be overlooked by travelers seeking safety and beauty. The island's beaches share a mix of stunning nature, clear waters, and laid-back Brazilian charm. Enjoy your time on the Magic Island and make some memories that will last a lifetime!