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If you’re planning a trip to Florianópolis, Brazil, also known as Floripa or Ilha da Magia (Magic Island), you might feel overwhelmed trying to decide which beaches to visit. Floripa is a massive island with more than 40 beaches, and they’re all so different. You’ll find calm beaches with beach clubs and restaurants, little fishing villages, surf beaches, completely secluded beaches that require a hike to reach, and everything in between.
My husband and I spent part of the pandemic here in Florianópolis, and then we came back after having a baby. We’ve now been living here for over a year, and since we both surf, we’ve spent a lot of time exploring the beaches around the island.
Today, I’m narrowing it down to my personal top five beaches in Floripa. These aren’t necessarily just the five prettiest beaches. They’re the five I think offer the best mix of experiences and really show you how diverse this island is.
If you’re new here, hi! I’m Danielle, founder of The Wanderlover. I’m a full-time traveler, creator, and online business owner, and I’ve been traveling full-time since 2017. We’ve been based here in Florianópolis with our son, and we’re actually leaving Brazil very soon, so I wanted to share this list before we go.
Here are my five favorite beaches in Florianópolis, Brazil!
5. Jurerê: The Best Beach for Beach Clubs and Nightlife
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Starting with probably the most different beach on this list: Jurerê.
Jurerê is on the north side of the island, and if you’ve been researching Florianópolis, you’ve probably already heard of Jurerê Internacional. This is the more upscale, glamorous side of Floripa.
You’ll find beautiful houses, beach clubs, restaurants, nightlife, and a completely different atmosphere from the rest of the island. It’s almost like its own little bubble.
The water here is also generally much calmer than the beaches on the east side of the island, making it a great place to swim, relax, and enjoy an easy beach day. It’s also a wonderful option for families.
During the summer, Jurerê really comes alive. This is where you’ll find some of the biggest beach clubs and parties on the island. So, if you’re coming to Floripa and want to spend the day at the beach before heading out for nightlife afterward, this is probably where you’ll want to spend some time.
It’s not where we personally spend most of our beach days because we’re usually looking for waves, and it’s pretty far north. However, I think you have to experience Jurerê because it showcases such a different side of Florianópolis.
4. Barra da Lagoa: The Best All-Around Beach Day
Number four is Barra da Lagoa, and this is probably one of the easiest beaches on this list to recommend to someone visiting Floripa for the first time.
Barra has everything.
You have the beach itself, restaurants, little bars, surf schools, fishing boats, and a really relaxed beach-town atmosphere.
During the summer, you’ll see little stands selling caipirinhas, açaí, and milho verde (Brazilian green corn) right on the beach. You can grab a caipirinha, sit in the sand, go for a swim, get lunch somewhere nearby, and easily spend the entire day here.
But my favorite part of Barra is actually what you’ll find when you walk across the little pedestrian bridge.
Follow the trail along the water, and you’ll eventually reach the natural rock pools. The walk itself is really pretty, and the pools are surrounded by huge rocks with clear water coming in from the ocean.
You can keep exploring the area, walk up toward the lighthouse, and visit Projeto Tamar, the sea turtle conservation center in Barra da Lagoa.
If you only have a few days in Floripa and want somewhere where you can combine a beach day with a few other activities, Barra is a really good choice.
It’s also one of the places I’d recommend if you want to take surf lessons while on the island. It’s very beginner- and longboard-friendly.
3. Matadeiro: A Beautiful, Quieter Beach in Southern Floripa
Number three is Matadeiro.
This beach is down in the south of the island, and I absolutely love this whole part of Florianópolis.
To get to Matadeiro, you first go to Armação and then walk across a little bridge and trail to the beach. There are no cars on Matadeiro itself, which immediately makes it feel a little more secluded.
The scenery here is beautiful. You have mountains surrounding the beach, lots of greenery, and an atmosphere that feels much less developed than the northern part of the island.
This is also a surf beach, so depending on the conditions, you’ll usually see surfers out in the water.
What I love about Matadeiro is that you get that more remote feeling without having to do some huge hike to reach it. You can park in Armação, walk over, and suddenly you’re on this gorgeous beach that feels much more removed from everything.
You can also combine Matadeiro with a visit to Pântano do Sul and explore more of the south of the island while you’re down here. This whole area feels much more local and traditional to me.
If you want to experience a quieter, more nature-focused side of Floripa, definitely make your way south.
2. Praia das Aranhas: A Secluded and Adventurous Beach
Number two is Praia das Aranhas, and this one is a little different.
It’s definitely not going to be on every standard Florianópolis itinerary, which is one of the reasons I love it.
Getting there is part of the experience because access is much more limited. You can only access the beach by 4×4, and once you’re there, it feels incredibly secluded compared to many of Floripa’s more popular beaches.
This is the kind of beach where you bring everything with you and make an entire day out of it.
We’ve brought a barbecue and grilled right there, which is such a Brazilian beach-day experience. Bring your food, drinks, chairs, and everything else you need, and just spend the day hanging out.
You can also hike up Morro das Aranhas for incredible views over the coastline.
This is one of those places that reminds you that even though Florianópolis has a proper city, restaurants, nightlife, technology companies, and all of this infrastructure, you’re still on an incredibly wild island.
There are pockets of Floripa that feel completely removed from everything.
If you have access to a 4×4 and want something much more adventurous and off the typical tourist route, Praia das Aranhas is one of my favorites.
1. Lagoinha do Leste: The Most Beautiful Beach in Florianópolis
And my number one beach in Florianópolis is Lagoinha do Leste.
If you’ve watched any of my other Floripa content, this probably isn’t a surprise!
Lagoinha do Leste is one of the most beautiful places on the entire island, but you have to work a little bit to get there.
There are no roads leading directly to the beach, so you either have to hike in or arrive by boat.
I really recommend hiking at least one way because the experience of getting there is part of what makes Lagoinha do Leste so special.
You’re hiking through the Atlantic Forest, and eventually, you start getting these incredible views of the coastline. When you finally reach the beach, you have mountains on both sides, the ocean in front of you, and the lagoon behind the beach.
It feels completely different from the developed parts of Florianópolis.
If you’re up for even more hiking, you can go up to Morro da Coroa, which is where you’ll get that iconic view you’ve probably seen in photos of Floripa.
I know some people go camping here, and it also gets great waves, so if you’re committed, you can definitely bring your surfboard, too.
Either way, this is definitely more of an adventure than just going to the beach. Make sure to bring water, proper shoes, sunscreen, and everything else you need for the day.
But if you enjoy hiking and nature, and you only have time for one big outdoor adventure while visiting Florianópolis, this would be my pick.
Runner-Up: Ilha do Campeche (Campeche Island)
I also have to give a runner-up spot to Ilha do Campeche, or Campeche Island, because technically it’s an island and not just a beach, so I didn’t include it in my top five. But if you’re visiting Florianópolis, I absolutely think it’s worth going.
Ilha do Campeche is just off the coast of Floripa, and the water there can be insanely clear and turquoise. It honestly looks more like the Caribbean than what you might picture when you think of southern Brazil.
It’s one of the best places around Floripa for swimming and snorkeling, especially when you get a beautiful sunny day with calm water.
You have to take a boat over, and there are different departure points around the island.
Once you’re there, you can spend a few hours swimming, relaxing on the beach, snorkeling, and exploring. The island is also an archaeological heritage site with ancient rock inscriptions, and there are guided trails you can do if you want to see more than just the beach.
It does get very popular during the summer, so this isn’t the place I’d choose if you’re looking for a completely secluded beach day. But the water and scenery are beautiful, and it’s such a unique experience that I couldn’t make a list of my favorite beaches around Floripa without mentioning it.
So, technically not part of my top five, but absolutely a runner-up and definitely something I’d put on your Florianópolis itinerary.
Which Florianópolis Beach Should You Visit?
So those are my personal top five, but which one you should actually visit depends on what kind of beach day you’re looking for.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- For calm water, restaurants, beach clubs, and nightlife: Go to Jurerê.
- For an easy, fun beach day with restaurants, caipirinhas, and other things to explore nearby: Go to Barra da Lagoa.
- For a beautiful, quieter beach in the south of the island: Visit Matadeiro.
- For something more secluded and adventurous, if you have access to a 4×4: Check out Praia das Aranhas.
- For the full Floripa nature experience, if you don’t mind hiking: Lagoinha do Leste is my number one.
And honestly, this is what I love so much about Florianópolis. There isn’t just one type of beach here. You could spend weeks exploring the island and have a completely different experience every day.
Rent a Car to Explore Florianópolis
My biggest tip for exploring Floripa is to rent a car.
The island is much bigger than it looks on a map, and getting from the north to the south can take a long time, especially during the summer when traffic gets crazy.
Having a car gives you so much more freedom to explore beaches that aren’t as easy to reach.
Another important tip: always check the weather before planning your beach days. Floripa weather can change quickly, and the experience at the same beach can be completely different depending on the wind and conditions.
If you’re visiting during the Brazilian summer, especially December through February, expect everything to be much busier.
Personally, I love the shoulder seasons when you can still get beautiful beach days without quite as many people.
Final Thoughts on the Best Beaches in Florianópolis
After spending the pandemic here and then coming back and living in Florianópolis for over a year, these are the beaches I keep coming back to and the ones I would personally recommend to friends visiting the island.
And there are still so many that didn’t make this list! Praia Mole, Joaquina, Campeche, Pântano do Sul, and Naufragados are just a few. I could easily make another entire video about the beaches in Floripa.
If you’re planning a trip here, I also have a video on the 15 things you absolutely have to do in Florianópolis, so make sure to watch that next because it covers so much more than just the beaches.
And if you’ve already been to Floripa, I’d love to know your favorite beach! I know people have very strong opinions about this, and I’m always interested to hear which spots other people love.
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