Lagoa da Conceição

Lagoa da Conceição is the heart of Florianopolis, a 13km long saltwater lagoon that occupies the area between the central spine of mountains and the eastern beaches.

The lagoa is one of the most picturesque parts of the island, with the mountains dropping directly into the western side, a pine forest occupying the eastern banks and the hills around Praia Mole providing wonderful views.

The town of Lagoa da Conceição or Centro da Lagoa (or just Centrinho if you want to try blending in with the locals) sits under the lowest part of the hills, where the road comes from the city, and also at the narrowest point between the two distinct halves of the lagoon.

A sandbank is all that separates the two halves, with much of the water just a few feet deep in places, and swirls of sand blown from the dunes to the south are visible from the air.

All the best sporting activities on the island can be found around Lagoa da Conceição, with the best surf and the dunes for sand-boarding just a short walk away while sailing, kite-surfing, wind-surfing, kayaking and the occasional jet ski can be found on the calmer waters of the lagoon.

Walking trails lead around the edges of the lagoon through the Atlantic Rainforest with toucans, parrots and monkeys for company, to the community of Costa da Lagoa, which can only be reached by foot or on one of the boats that take visitors and residents together. On the opposite shore, another trail leads through the pine forest, in and out of the tall trees although walking on the sand in warm ankle-deep water can be more fun.

The strip of grass and sand lining the beach road of Lagoa attract families with young children, who play happily in the shallow, warm lagoon waters, paddle kayaks and pedal boats around the rocks to the tiny beaches and sandbanks of the forest, or to spot crabs, fish and even the resident winter penguin. Boat trips can also be found in this corner of the lagoon, and taking a schooner trip around Lagoa da Conceição is the perfect way to see the views from the middle, and generally very cheap too.

Restaurants and bars line the other side of Avenida das Rendeiras, which takes its name from the small wooden shops selling clothes and bags made by the Rendeiras of the island. This method of making clothes is as traditional as fishing by hand, which is how the residents of Centro da Lagoa still work. At night, the road lights of Rendeiras help local fishermen to spot their catch in the water. The shallow sands are full of people casting nets for fish, and catching crabs and prawns by hand.

Rendeiras at night is also full of people hitting the restaurants bars and clubs along its 4km length, and along with Centrinho itself, this is one of the best areas for nightlife on the island. The holiday season of late December through past Carnaval time in February or March is especially lively with partying Brazilians in every street, a sight that can be almost as impressive as the natural scenery of Lagoa da Conceição.