Campeche & Rio Tavares

Campeche and Rio Tavares are fast developing beach towns in the south-west of the island, with easy access to the city center, airport, Lagoa da Conceição and to the south of the island. In front of the beach is the famous Ilha do Campeche, with crystal clear water.

Come here if you like huge beaches, surfing, chic cafés and restaurants, beach tennis and beach volley, and a youthful atmosphere.

Lagoa da Conceição

This is a huge lake in the middle of the island, and a popular nightlife spot. It's situated between tall hills and large sand dunes. If you're into herbs, incense, yoga and oriental mystique, then this is the place for you. But the lake is also very popular with families looking for calmer waters for their children to swim in and restaurants nearby. Not to mention that it is wind surfing and kite surfing central. Popular hiking trails also start here, such as Costa da Lagoa trail and Gravatá trail.

Joaquina beach

One of the most picturesque beaches in Florianópolis, Joaquina beach is the Northern part of the huge Southern beach spanning the Atlantic coast of the island. Traffic makes the beach difficult to access during summer. Surfing championships are held in Joaquina, and some of the biggest waves can be seen here. Behind the beach, amazing sand dunes stretches a long way. You can try sand boarding, or do an easy dune hike all the way to Lagoa da Conceição.

Mole beach & Barra da Lagoa

Mole beach - Praia Mole - of the most popular beaches of the island and a favourite among locals due to the beautiful clear water. "Mole" means "soft", referring to the sand here. Popular hiking trail Gravatá has splendid views of Mole beach.

A bit further North, you'll find the canal connecting Conceição lake with the Atlantic, and the beach community Barra da Lagoa – another beautiful place to visit and take pictures by the light house, or of visiting penguins during winter.

South of the Island

The South of the island is the most untouched part, offering great variety in sights and beaches with less commercial exploitation.

The most beautiful place in Florianópolis is an isolated beach and lagoon called "Lagoinha do Leste", which is only accessible by rugged hiking trails or by boat. One of the many perfect postcards of the South. Other beautiful places are Morro das Pedras curve and the fishing village Armação with neighbouring Matadeiros beach.

Naufragados beach

On the Southern cape of the island is the beach Naufragados - translated "beach of the shipwrecked". Several embarkations have found themselves shipwrecked here during the course of history, when the region was sparsly inhabited by tribes. Today it's one of the must-do hiking trails in Florianópolis, taking about 40 minutes one way, bringing you to a calm beach with a couple of restaurants. From the beach, there's additional trails to a lighthouse, with impressive views of an island with fortress ruins.