Florianópolis - The Magic Island

Everybody who visits Brazil must come to Florianópolis, or as it is called - The Magic Island! No doubt, it's just great here! Florianóplis is the capital of the state Santa Catarina and offers 42 beautiful beaches. The island is really big, 54km long and 18km wide, so there is a lot to see and discover even after many weeks.

Many years earlier, the only access to the island was via the Hercílio Luz bridge. Of course, the island is nowadays connected to the continent by a modern bridge in order to cope with the intensive traffic and has an airport.

In the city centre, where most people work, there is always a lot going on. Mainly large buildings and offices, but also museums, markets, old colonial houses and parks.
In 1891 a fig tree was planted on XV de Novembro square. Today, the tree is huge and needs support not to break.

At the public market are many restaurants, shops and also around this area many things happen every day. Also the biggest fish market of Florianópolis is located in this building.

The Palácio Cruz e Sousa, once constructed to be the government palace, is today a historical museum.

But the centre is not the reason why people come to Florianóplois - the beaches and nature attract people from all over the world. In general, the beaches in the east are wilder and good for all kinds of water sports, the beaches in the west are more family-friendly because they are much calmer.

Let's start at Mole Beach - a Surf paradise! On most days there are good waves and you can easily meet other surfers. There are bars and restaurants right on the beach.

A short walk across the stones in the west and you are already at the beach of Galheta. The only nudist beach in Florianópolis. But it's not mandatory. 950m of white sand invites to walk and enjoy the nature at this isolated beach. The waves are smaller and it is perfect to take a bath.

From Galheta, a path leads over the mountain to our next location: Barra da Lagoa.
It takes about 2 hours and the view over the island is magnificent.
Mole and Galheta beach form the viewpoint.

On the other side you have a great view over the Lagoa da Conceição. The large lagoon is located in the middle of the island and is ideal for stand-up paddling, kitesurfing or windsurfing. There is something for everyone!

Barra da Lagoa is a small and fisher village and the ideal place to learn to surf. The waves are not as big as at Mole Beach.

Even dogs surf here!

At Barra da Lagoa is also an astronomical park. It is very interesting to see how the indigenous people shaped and used the stones to observe the sun, moon and stars. It is very important to get a guide! Otherwise it just looks like a bunch of stones.

The next beach after Barra da Lagoa - is also the longest - Moçambique. Plenty of space for everybody and even in the high season not overcrowded like many other beaches.

There is no infrastructure and it is not easy to get there. Only a "road" on the coast with only a few parking spaces. Many people also get stuck in the sandy road. Or you can walk from Rio Vermelho through the dunes and pine forest. Also a great thing to do.