Surfing in Floripa -
Being renowned as one of the best surf spots in the world, Florianopolis attracts surfers from all over the world to ride the Atlantic waves. Just like the island itself, the surf has enough variety to appeal to everyone, from beginners breaks at Barra to tow-in titans at Joaquina.
World class surf sits amongst outstanding natural scenery both on the beaches and surrounding them for most of the east coast of the island. Not only can you share consistent waves with locals and tourists most days of the year, but also with dolphins and the occasional seal or penguin. Towards the south, you may even spot some of the migrating Southern Right Whales while sitting on your board.
World class waves also attract world-class surfers and the ASP World Championship Tournament holds their penultimate event in Santa Catarina annually. Previous winners include such surfing luminaries as Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning, Damien Hobgood and Taj Burrow.
With surf dudes, surf bums, surf babes, surf competitions, surf schools and even surf buses, welcome to Surfing in Florianópolis – what´s not to like?
Go Floripa has a few more details to help you decide where to catch your waves.
Praia da Joaquina – one of the best surf beaches in Florianópolis, Brazil and the whole of South America. Home to national and international competitions at the northern end, the rocks are the start of some powerful waves. Joaquina beach also boasts waves that break both ways further down the beach, where there will also be more space. As well as world-class waves plus bars and restaurants to watch them from, Joaquina has the added advantage of thrills even on the flat days. A short walk up to the shining dunes and you can be sandboarding down them within minutes. Joaquina has hosted many events including WCT Pro Tour and Brazilian Championship events, watched by large crowds from the beach. It is also worth a trip after a cyclone in the Santa Catarina to experience huge tow-in waves close to the beach. Go Floripa has experienced these – from the safety of the bar obviously. Real surfers were out there though.
Praia do Campeche – the offshore island of the same name provides a nice backdrop to long right barrels held up by the west wind. Quieter waves can be found along the long stretches of empty beach between Campeche and Joaquina. Campeche beach has been nicknamed C-Bay due to its resemblance to J-Bay, Jeffreys Bay in South Africa.
Praia Mole – probably the second most popular surf beach on the Magic Island, but the most popular place to sit and watch the waves and the people. The waves get crowded on summer weekends, and there are regular breaks all along the length of Mole. Competitions are also held here, with tour events and grommet championships. The locals are friendly and are involved in keeping the beach and surrounding vegetation out of the hands of developers for everyone to enjoy. Even in winter, it is a rare day that there is nobody in the waters here, as the few surf schools lining the beach take students out on the calmer days. Generally though, the strong currents, undertow and powerful surf make Praia Mole a place where a little local knowledge is best.
Praia da Galheta – when the steep slopes of Mole are too much for beginners, they head along the trail to the north and Galheta. A shallower incline and smoother gaps between the waves make it easier for learners and intermediate surfers to negotiate their way out. It also helps that the mountains surrounding this stunning nature reserve make development impossible. The waves are far quieter than Mole or Joaquina, although many experienced surfers do make the trek for some of the longest rides on the island in the right conditions.
Barra da Lagoa – the best beach on the island for learning to surf. The headland protects the beach from the vagaries of the Atlantic Ocean, and the bay has consistent waves in water shallow enough for most adults to walk back out. The waves are generally small but perfectly formed, breaking both ways to give some fantastic photo opportunities for your budding surfer. If half the fun of learning to surf is to be able to show people at home that you can get up on a board, Barra da Lagoa is perfect, even down to the photographer being able to stand in the water to take the shots!
Praia do Moçambique – the longest beach on the island has surf along its whole length, with no development anywhere. Long rides in barrels with nobody else for miles make Moçamique worth the extra effort and regularly one of the best places to surf in Brazil.
Praia dos Ingleses – this popular holiday beach has decent surf along its whole length. The waves are not as big as some of the other beaches but still the waves are still good enough to be busy throughout the year. Holidaymakers make Ingleses popular with those who can’t surf every day.
Praia do Santinho – perhaps the best surf of the northern beaches, the dunes have protected some of the beach from development, with the resorts at the southern end being popular with families, leaving the waves of the northern end of Santinho fairly quiet.
Praia Brava – this popular beach has strong currents and regular waves which can get very busy on summer weekends, much as the beach itself.
The beaches of the northern coasts such as Jurerê, Canasvieiras, Lagoinha and Ponta das Canas are generally quiet for waves although occasionally have enough for those learning to have some fun. The shallow waters also help to make them ideal on those days when the waves do arrive. Walking back out with your board is far easier than trying to paddle through the powerful waves of Joaquina or Mole.
Morro das Pedras – the south end of the beach, in the shadow of the morro itself as the road meets the rocks, attracts many locals with its regular long right that run from the rocks to the sand.
Praia do Matadeiro – the beautiful old whale hunting beach has waves as deceptive as its tranquil bearing. A surf school exists here for the calmer days in the shallow waters, but large waves are whipped up by southerly winds and strong currents belie the even breaks and flat sands. A dolphin favourite.
Praia da Armaçao – one of the quieter beaches of the southern part of the island, with most people preferring the waves on the beaches at either side. Good waves here might need to be shared with the nets of the fishing boats. Armaçao is still one of the traditional fishing beaches of Florianopolis.
Pantano do Sul – this sheltered beach faces south from the bottom of the island, and is not too popular for surf but has occasional waves for a little gentle fun.
Lagoinha do Leste – this stunning nature reserve is reachable only by trail from Matadeiro or Pantano do Sul, or by boat from these places and Armaçao. Many hardcore surfers make the journey here, some of them don´t leave. Camping out to catch dawn swells as the sun rises out of the Atlantic and lights up the green mountains all around is a real pleasure here. For such quality surf, the waves are wonderfully empty. The area is still largely untouched so as well as your board, you need to bring any supplies too. Go Floripa recommends making a tent one of those and staying in the dunes for a night or two as Lagoinha do Leste is one of the few places for wild camping on the island.
Praia dos Naufragados – the most southerly beach of Florianopolis is another that can only be reached by a 4km trail that runs from the end of the west coast road. This does not deter experienced surfers though who make the effort for the long runs from the right end of the beach. The waves can be as wild as the scenery around Naufragados, with rough seas bouncing between the island and the mainland just a few hundred metres across the water from the southern tip of Floripa.