Florianópolis can be found in the Santa Catarina state of Brazil. It is a city as well as an island. Wait, what?! Confused? You are not the only one, the city stretches from the mainland onto the island. The locals refer to the island simply as Floripa or Ilha da Magia. The Magic Island truly traps you, and the many activities in Floripa do not disappoint. Its magical beaches make it heaven on earth, it is a surf paradise, home to white sand dunes, stunning nature trails, surrounded by smaller islands as well as a party hotspot.
I planned on staying for a week. Little did I know how indescribable and captivating this place is. The sheer size of the island stunned me and the choice of beaches and hikes was overwhelming. After a two-week stay, the lockdown hit. I still wish I would have remained on the magic island throughout the pandemic. Trying to figure out what activities Floripa has to offer other than laying on the beach? Read on to find out.
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ACTIVITIES IN FLORIPA FOR ADVENTURERS
01 │ Surf Time
Headed to Floripa for a surf trip? No Floripa activities guide is complete without mentioning the best surf spots. The consistent all year round swell and the variety of surf spots for beginners to more advanced surfers make Floripa a popular surf holiday destination. The conditions are good most days of the year, although winter is the best time to visit. On a windy day you can opt for kite or windsurfing.
Beginner Surf, Praia da Barra da Lagoa.
Although it can get too crowded for my liking, I still think this is the best surf spot in Floripa for beginners. There are a couple of surf schools offering lessons. Prices for board rentals are R$30 for 1h and R$50 for 2h. This is also a popular spot for kitesurfing. The many bars and restaurants are making this the busiest beach in Floripa.
Experienced Surfers.
There are many beaches to choose from if you have stood on a surfboard a couple of times or are a more experienced surfer. I sure know that I still have a long way to go, getting more water up my nose than I should.
Praia Campeche can be found further south of the island. This was my personal favourite. The swell is perfect for intermediate surfers. There is a surf school on the beach facing the island, but they are only open on days with good swell. This is also a great spot for kitesurfing.
Praia Mole, near Barra da Lagoa, is considered one of the most popular surf spots. It was surprisingly quiet. There are a few surf schools that can be found along the road offering surf rental and lessons for R$ 30, R$ 50. The schools do not open until 8 am, which is a shame. Unless it is a calm day the swell is better for more experienced surfers. This is also a popular spot for kitesurfing.
Slightly further north of the island, you have Praia do Moçambique another long beach good for experienced surfers. Praia da Joaquina is the most famous for surfing and perfect for more advanced surfers. You can take surf lessons here, but I think you will find it much easier to learn at Praia da Barra da Lagoa.
02 │ Lagoa da Conceição
Want a break from the beach? On Floripa you are spoilt for choice. There is a huge, beautiful, blue lagoon you can swim in. The more adventurous can windsurf, kitesurf, or kayak. Kayaking for an hour costs R$20 for two people. If you kayak on a windy day, then I wish you luck in swallowing less saltwater than I did.
03 │ Lagoinha do Leste
When I decided on taking a beach break in Floripa I was not planning to hike. However, locals kept on recommending Lagoinha do Leste and therefore I decided to trade in my sliders for trainers… oh wow it’s been a while. There are two different hiking trails leading to the island’s lagoon and most remote beach. Head here for the full adventure.
04 │ Ilha Campeche
Sadly, Corona lockdown hit before I could make it to Ilha Campeche. This small spectacular island can be explored through six trails, all offering something different, with some being more challenging than others. The trails take between 30 minutes to 2 hours. Other activities on the island are short dives, which I have heard are relatively cheap, as well as snorkelling. To reach the island you need to take a speedboat from Campeche beach at 8 am. Show up early as seats are limited. I would not recommend a visit on a rainy day as paths might be closed and the water will not be crystal clear.
Did I do a good job of sharing my love for the activities Floripa has to offer?
Now go ahead and explore! Try not to lose your towel.
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