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Overview | Attractions | Events | Facts | Kids | Last Minute Deals
Find hotels in Florianopolis BR
Beaches
It had been thought that Florianópolis had 42 beaches. For decades, this was one of the slogans of the city. However, when FUI ( Florianópolis Urban Institute) conducted a survey of the beaches of the state capital, more than 100 beaches were found.
The beaches are divided into 8 groups according to their location: Northern beaches, Eastern beaches, Southern beaches, Northern bay, Southern bay, Continent, the Neighboring islands and the Lagoons. The beaches facing the northern bay have calm sea with few waves. The ones Facing the east side (ocean side) have constant waves. The sand is usually white and fine, Shells, dunes, and bushy vegetation are common, with occasional little estuaries.
Lagoons
Lagoons are usually salt water lakes separated from the sea by an area of rock or sand. Conceição Lagoon is the largest one, connected with the sea by a canal. Peri lagoon is in fact a fresh water lake above sea level surrounded by native Atlantic forest.
Islands
Santa Catarina Island is surrounded by 38 small islands some of which can be visited on day trips, such as Campeche Island: to visit the archeological sites and enjoy the beautiful beach; Ratones and Anhatomirim Islands: to visit the forts.
Some small islands have diving spots: Aranhas and Xavier islands, but the best diving conditions are to the north at Arvoredo Island.
Dunes
Sand dunes cover large areas
in the North ( Ingleses and Santinho) , Conceição Lagoon, Campeche, Armação and
Pântano do Sul.
In Joaquina, the dunes are popular for the sport of sand boarding, which is a
tropical version of snowboarding.
Museums
The city has few Museums,
but has a wealth of open-air sites such as the forts, Azorean villages, and
rock art archaeological sites.
The Historical Museum of Santa Catarina in the centre is a neo classical
building displays collections of state history.
Rock Art
The main archeological sites
containing rock art can be found at Ingleses beach, Santinho beach and Campeche
Island. The oldest is about 4500 years of age.
The petroglyphs follow geometric patterns: concentric circles, zigzag parallel
lines and some of them contain anthropomorphic figures. The patterns depicted
are many and varied.
Campeche Island, in particular, has the largest concentration of sites with a
total of 167 inscriptions and many more expected to be found.
Forts
During the 16th and 17th centuries, Portugal and Spain fought each other for control of South America. In 1680, the Portuguese founded Colônia do Sacramento, at Rio Prata (Silver River) Delta, a strategic location for gold, silver and cattle trading. The Spanish considered this a violation of the Tordesilhas Treaty (which stipulated that the New Land was to be divided between Portugal and Spain). Battles continued over the years causing Portugal to establish a military settlement in the region.
Santa Catarina Island was chosen as the site of the military post and fort for 2 reasons: its strategic position and its protected bays. In 1739, a defensive triangle fortification in the Northern bay was begun. São José da Ponta Grossa, Santa Cruz and Santo Antônio Forts were built. Over the years, a total of 11 forts were constructed.
Even so, on the 23rd of February, 1777, a navy of 100 ships with
12,000 men, commanded by Spanish Dom Pedro Cevallos took the island without
resistance. The island was returned a year later with the Santo Idelfonso
Treat. By then, the defense system had lost its credibility and was abandoned.
Restored in 1989 as an initiative of the state government and local
institutions, the forts have become a major area attraction.
Outdoor Activities
Canoeing
There are many interesting canoeing possibilities all over the island. The best time to take advantage of these is usually in the morning when the breezes are gentle. The Northern bay has protected waters and stunning views. Conceição Lagoon is popular, but be aware of fast boats and jets skis. Peri Lagoon is located in a preservation area, where motor sports are prohibited so canoeing becomes a magical experience. It is quite easy to find canoes or kayaks for hire.
Hawaiian Canoeing on Conceição lagoon offers an interesting option for up to 6 rowers.
Diving
The best dive conditions are during the summer from December to April, when the water is clear and on good days you can have 10 to 15 metres visibility.
The best dive sites can be found at the Arvoredo Marine reserve. It is a group
of islands located north of the northern beaches. There is a great concentration
of marine life including sea turtles, groupers, moray eels, angel fish,
seahorses and many colorful fish . At present, most of the reserve is closed to
diving. Diving is allowed only at the southern end of Arvoredo Island.
The islands of Aranhas and Xavier also have diving spots.
Good snorkelling can be found at Campeche Island and at some protected
points on the headlands.
Hiking
One of the best and least
expensive ways to explore the natural beauty of the island is hiking some of the
many nature trails.
Some follow the coast line along promontories and cliff sides: for example,
the Santinho-Moçambique and the Matadeiro –Lagoinha do Leste trails.
Other trails are more demanding, going uphill but revealing wonderful views:
such as the Morro das Aranhas and Morro da Galheta trails.
On Campeche Island you can hike and explore the archaeological sites with the
assistance of local guides.
On the Naufragados beach trail, it is possible to travel either way by boat.
On most of the trails, it is easy to find your way but be cautious entering unclear trails and sea cliffs.
Paragliding & Hang Gliding
The island’s geography provides great flying sites everywhere except in the south where flying is not allowed due to the airport traffic. The best season is summer when the sea breezes are constant.
The hills on both sides of Mole beach are the most popular take-offs (SW, NE and
E winds) allowing great soaring. The best flying site is Rio Vermelho where
great thermals combine with soaring (E winds).
Brava beach is also popular but there are many buildings between the hills and
the beach.
During the summer, Praia Mole is crowded, so it is best to fly on weekdays after
12:00 noon when the wind direction has been defined or later in the day before
sunset (in summertime there is light until 20:00.
Hang gliding is not as
popular as paragliding. One of the reasons might be the difficult access to
take-offs. The take-off near the west outlook on Conceição Lagoon, is the best
one for hang gliders.
Near the town of Santo Amaro da Imperatriz, 35 km from Florianópolis, at the
foothills of Serra do Tabuleiro Estate Park is the best thermal flying in the
region for reaching great heights and for distance flying triangles.
Surfing
Floripa has some of the most
consistent surf in Brazil. The bigger swells come from the Southern Atlantic and
Antarctica. During the summer, it receives many swells from the north, and
during the rest of the year from the south (Antarctica). May through October is
usually the best time.
Joaquina beach is the most consistently popular spot on the island.
The Campeche beach, in
perfect conditions, is a world class wave.
Other great spots are: Moçambique and Lagoinha do Leste to avoid crowds; and
Mole beach for the annual Obongo Pro Surfing. Barra da Lagoa beach is a great
spot to learn to surf and is recommended for beginners.
Kite & Windsurfing
Conceição Lagoon is the main location for windsurfers and kite surfers because of its consistent winds, large area, sandbanks for beginners and good facilities.
The waves at Mole and Moçambique are also popular as the location of the ongoing competitions of the local surfing crowd.
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