There is something magical about Florianópolis. Most travellers plan on spending three days on the island of paradise but end up finding themselves captivated, still roaming Florianópolis’ jungle-like terrain, white sand dunes and best beaches weeks later. Me included; I only left the island because of the pandemic. No wonder the locals refer to Florianópolis better known as “Floripa” as the Ilha da Magia (Magic Island).
Florianópolis stretches from the mainland onto the island. Floripa is a somewhat hidden secret mainly visited by Brazilians and Argentinian tourists. Many Argentinians have made the island their home. Luckily for me, Spanish is spoken so commonly that you will be left wondering if you accidentally went to Argentina. There is an endless amount of dreamy beaches on the magic island. In this article, I am sharing all about Florianópolis’ white dunes and top ten beaches, where to eat, stay and let your hair loose, and where to find a pay by weight instead of flavour ice-cream parlour. Do I need to say more? Read, plan, and happy exploring.
Post Contents
FINDING THE BEST SAND DUNES IN FLORIANÓPOLIS
The sight of endless white hills towering over the streets and beaches in form of the Parque Natural Municipal das Dunas da Lagoa da Conceição is not something you’d expect to see amid the overgrown, jungle-like terrain covering the island. The dunes stretch from Lagoa da Conceição to Praia da Joaquina.
The sandy hills can be experienced in different ways the most popular being sandboarding. The stalls to book this thrilling activity can be found at Lagoa da Conceição and by the car park of Joaquina Beach. You will have the option to board down or slide down the dunes on your belly. Anyone who has already sand boarded in Huacachina in Peru or is planning to travel there later will most likely give this a miss since the dunes surrounding the Peruvian oasis are much taller.
However, I still think Floripa’s sandbanks are worth a visit. The beauty of the white hilly dunes can be admired when walking the sandy terrain to reach Joaquina Beach from Lagoa da Conceição, or vice versa. The walk over the white sand will be a magical experience. Be mindful of the persistent heat and sun. An alternative would be to simply climb to the top of the dunes and enjoy the view.
How To Get There.
Wherever you find yourself the best way to see and experience the sand dunes is by taking a bus to Praia da Joaquina or Lagoa da Conceição. The island is well connected and Uber is commonly used but taking a bus for R$ 4.25 is just as easy, by making use of google maps to find the nearest bus stop, bus number, and departure time.
Anyone who has set camp in Lagoa da Conceição will be a short walk away from the lake which is opposite the dunes and sandboarding stalls.
The Cost.
The good news is walking the dunes is entirely free. Sandboarding on the other hand costs around R$ 20 – 30.
FINDING THE BEST BEACHES ON FLORIANÓPOLIS
The sheer size of Florianópolis only becomes imminent when you start planning a beach-hopping day. Therefore, most tourists end up hanging around Barra da Lagoa. In my opinion, that’s a mistake. Floripa’s beaches are stunning with white and yellow sand so powdery you will feel like you lied down on a cloud. The deep blue ocean is a rich dark turquoise in areas where the water is calmer and therefore clear. Although the constant swell does not make for ideal swimming conditions some calm spots can be found to take a dip in the warm water.
Anyone staying for an extended period is most likely going to be splitting their stay between two locations to make the most of Florianópolis’ dunes and best beaches. Although I think it is important to bear in mind that the most popular beaches are all near Barra da Lagoa which is located more or less on the East-Central side of the magic island.
Since the Island is relatively big, I have split the beaches out into the North and South Island’s best beaches. These have been listed from the furthest North to the furthest South.
The North Island.
Praia do Santinho │ The Protected Beach.
One of Florianópolis’ best beaches is surrounded by vegetation-draped white dunes and swell appealing to any surfer. Located on the far Northern part of the island Santinho Beach is protected and far less crowded than its famous neighbour the Praia dos Ingleses.
Praia do Moçambique │ The Long Beach.
This often-overlooked beach is tucked away in a state park in the North of the island. Moçambique Beach offers a mix of dunes, forest, white sand and great swell for uncrowded surfing. The 7 km long tropical beach is part of the Parque Estadual Do Rio Vermelho and can only be reached by dirt road. Known for being relatively quiet, this beach was high up on my list to visit. Because of Covid-19 I never made it to this beautiful part of the island. If the lack of crowds haven’t given it away already, there are no food vendors. It is advised to bring food and drink.
Praia da Barra da Lagoa │ The Popular Beach.
Barra da Lagoa beach will remind you of any other overcrowded European beach. The golden powdery sand is backed by restaurants, bars and food stalls. This was my least favourite beach on Floripa but it is popular amongst travellers and locals due to the accessibility and energetic atmosphere. Anyone who doesn’t mind an overrun beach will be able to lay back and people watch for hours. Tip! Walk as far away as possible from the food stalls to avoid crowds.
There are surf schools on the roads leading up to the beach. The breaks are for beginners and anyone who has tried themselves at surfing before or wants to practice.
Praia da Galheta │ The Nudist Beach.
This beach can only be accessed by a 15-minute rocky and occasionally muddy trail from the North end of Mole Beach or a longer trail South from Barra da Lagoa. But be warned, Praia da Galheta isn’t secluded for no reason. It is a nudist beach but dropping your clothes is optional.
Praia Mole │ Surfers Paradise.
Out of my experience, this was a quiet beach mostly visited by locals and surfers. I never saw a food vendor walking up and down the white sandbank therefore it is advised to bring food and drink. This is yet again a beach that doesn’t make for great swimming conditions but has good breaks for surfing. Watch out for underground swell we had our feet swept away.
The South Island.
The Southern Island arguably has Florianópolis’ most magical dunes and best beaches to offer.
Praia da Joaquina │ The Beach With The Dunes.
We talked about sandboarding by Praia da Joaquina before but there is more to the beach than this fun activity. Arguably bang on in the middle of the East Coast Joaquina Beach is not only famous for surfing and dunes but also a great hangout. The white dunes towering along the edge of the beach can be climbed for glistening ocean and magical sand dune views. There are a couple of restaurants making the vibey beach not one of Florianópolis’ quieter but still one of the island’s stand out beaches.
Praia do Campeche │ Island Views.
Campeche Beach has it all, in my opinion. What makes Praia do Campeche special is how it appears to continue endlessly. A quiet spot along this 3.5 km white sand beach is guaranteed. Anyone up for a walk or looking for a secluded spot can head South or North towards the dunes by Praia da Joaquina. The white powdery sand makes for a perfect spot to sit back and relax, top up your tan, or watch surfers catch waves. The ocean is calmer near the restaurants to cool down in the waters. Near the restaurants, the beach is crowded and lively with caipirinha stalls at close reach. Make sure to visit the incredible ice-cream parlour mentioned under the “where to eat” section.
Campeche Beach is graced with the presence of Ilha do Campeche with boats departing daily at 8 am. Although you shouldn’t be misled by the island’s proximity to the shore. Rumour has it tourists have tried to reach the island on paddleboard and failed.
Praia do Matadeiro │ The Small Beach.
The jungle-like surrounding of the beach gives it a secluded feel. The starting point of the long trail to Lagoinha do Leste can be found on this charming beach. Matadeiro Beach should be avoided if you don’t like crowds. Due to the size and cafes on Matadeiro Beach, these tend to build up quickly.
Praia da Lagoinha do Leste │ The Remote Beach.
While there are a lot of stunning beaches dotted all over Florianópolis quiet beaches are a rare find on the magic island. Lagoinha do Leste is one of your best shots to relax without too many people around. The remote golden sand beach can only be reached by hiking trails or boat. Trust me it is worth going the extra mile.
Lagoinha do Leste tends to draw local surfers in but the water is calm enough for swimming near the shore. If the ocean is too cold for your liking you can always cross the beach and walk into the warm lagoon for a dip instead. Make sure to pack snacks and drinks, access is only limited once you have reached the beach. Although there are corner shops to purchase snacks from near to the bus stops. This is where I saw corn ice-cream for the first time. I am still unsure what to make of it!
Head here for the full Adventure│ A Short Guide To Hiking Lagoinha Do Leste
Pântano do Sul │ The Colourful Beach.
Looking for a beach with a true Brazilian feel to it? This fishing beach close to the Southern tip of the island is backed by colourful houses and a great spot to experience Brazil’s fishing culture. Needless to say, there are plenty of places to enjoy fresh seafood close by.
HOW TO GET AROUND FLORIPA
Floripa’s beaches are easily accessible by public transport. I found that most information online was outdated and that google maps was much more accurate in terms of bus stops, bus numbers and times.
A single bus journey costs R$ 4.25. Tip! Hold onto your bus ticket when changing at the Terminal Integracao Do Rio Tavares (TIRIO). No second fare is charged when changing the bus here.The easiest but more expensive way to travel around the island is by Uber which can be accessed all day.
Don’t stop there│ Click here for the top 4 activities on Floripa, including surf spots or beginners to advanced surfers
WHERE TO EAT
Brazil is one of the more expensive countries in South America unfortunately street food is scarce in most parts of the island. There are some street vendors in Campeche, but they were closed every time we checked. Anyway, if you want delicious ice-cream or want a cheapish dinner then I recommend the following.
Praia da Barra da Lagoa │ Barra Beach Club.
This hostel has a bar and restaurant open to visitors. It is located up a hill offering an amazing ocean and sunset view. The food ranges from burgers to curries and portions are BIG. Servidão da Prainha, 122 – Barra da Lagoa, Florianópolis – SC, 88061-240
Campeche │ Pizzarium Pizzaria Artesanal.
This pizzeria has lovely staff and the thin based pizzas are the perfect size and tasty. Av. Pequeno Príncipe, 3068 – Sobreloja – Campeche Leste, Florianópolis – SC, 88063-000
Campeche │ Ilha Bela Restaurante e Pastelaria.
This place is partly a restaurant offering Brazilian food and part ice-cream parlour. You have a rich choice of flavours and toppings including Kinder Egg, Acai and pistachio – the best one, am I right? You pay by the weight, not only making this a sweet, cheap deal but also allowing you to have a taste of many flavours. I never paid more than R$ 8 and tried up to 6 flavours. I let you judge me however much you like. Av. Pequeno Príncipe, 3328 – Sala B – Campeche Leste, Florianópolis – SC, 88063-000
WHERE TO STAY
Like I have previously mentioned Floripa is a huge island. But choosing a base location can still be easy. Located more or less at the East Centre of the island with great bus links to the South, North and mainland Barra da Lagoa or Lagoa da Conceição are good places to set camp for visiting all the beautiful spots, dunes and best beaches of Florianópolis has to offer.
Tip │ Split your time on the island between either of Barra da Lagoa or Lagoa da Conceição and Campeche.
Praia da Barra da Lagoa │ Floripa Off Hostel.
This hostel is run by two Argentinian women who are super friendly, have great recommendations to offer and the hostel kitchen is well equipped.
Lagoa da Conceição │ Hostel Sunset Backpackers.
Situated on a hill overlooking Conceição Lake and only a 10-minute walk from Mole Beach, Sunset Backpackers Hostel is slightly more expensive than Floripa Off Hostel but my favourite on the island. The hostel is attached to a restaurant offering big portions of delicious food, there is a well-equipped kitchen for you to cook in, the breakfast offering is enough to get you through most of the day, there is a pool and top it all we got a free caipirinha every night. Do I need to say more?
Campeche │ Floripa Surf Hostel.
Situated off the beach this hostel is ideal for surfers. The courtyard is backed with hammocks and a covered outdoor area to chill in. There is a kitchen to cook meals. But the best part of this hostel is that they have several surfboards for hire for beginners to more advanced surfers. The surf rental price is only R$ 30 for two hours.
WHERE TO PARTY
Florianópolis nightlife is one of the reasons many Brazilians vacation on the island. Most clubs can be found on the mainland. The fancier beach clubs are located in the posher North of the island. Although there are plenty of travel budget-friendly bars in Lagoa da Conceição, with Santa Club being the most popular among tourists. Alternatively, there is the Black Swan Pub. Someone say pint at the pub?!
BEST TIME TO VISIT FLORIANÓPOLIS DUNES AND BEST BEACHES
June, July and August are the driest months throughout the year although showers still commonly occur. Other months that are relatively dry and see temperatures from 25 to 30 degrees are October, November and December.
January, February and March are the rainy season and surprisingly the most popular for tourism. This time is when prices increase especially the weeks leading up to carnival and Easter. I spent two weeks in Floripa in March and had not a single rain shower during the day. The surf conditions are good most days of the year, although winter is the best time to catch waves.
WHAT TO PACK
Floripa is relatively warm all year round with temperatures being at it’s lowest at just under 20 C and reaching up to 30 C. The most important gear to bring is sun cream, swim costumes, layering pieces for rainy days and cool evenings. There is no harm in bringing mosquito repellent but it’s not necessary. There is no need for hiking boots, the hikes can easily be completed in trainers and you will find yourself in flip flops the rest of the time.
FLORIANÓPOLIS SAFETY
Floripa is more laid back and safer than most of Brazil. You shouldn’t have any issues carrying your phone or camera around wherever you go. Although it is always advisable to be mindful of your belongings, you are a tourist and therefore a target after all.
WHERE TO NEXT
Would you like to slide down a waterfall and drink Cachaça? Then head to Paraty. Have of Florianópolis dunes and best beaches satisfied your beach life dreams? City life awaits you after an 11-hour bus ride to São Paulo. Heading South? One of the country’s most popular tourist attractions the majestic Iguazu Falls by Foz do Iguaçu can be reached by a 12-hour bus journey via Balneário Camboriú.
Did I do a good job of sharing my love for Florianópolis’ dunes and best beaches? Also, did I mention that Floripa is a magical island?
Now go ahead and explore! Try not to lose your towel.
