Florianopolis Sport & Activities -
Nobody should leave Florianópolis without getting their hands and feet dirty trying at least one of a whole range of nature-powered adrenaline sports and more traditional activities to be found around the island. Whether a pro, a prodigy or a pupil, Floripa has so much happening in the waves, on the sand and the land, and in the air that it should inspire everyone to join the fun.
After watching and learning from the circuit pros, the professional instructors and the gifted amateurs, you should be ready to get hooked yourself. Be careful though – once hooked, you will find it even harder to leave Floripa behind. It won’t seem the same doing them at home.
With strong Atlantic waves hitting the sand of the east coast, Floripa has over 30km of surf beaches like Praia Mole, with many more on the mainland such as Garopaba and Imbituba making it one of the finest surfing spots in the whole of Brazil. The last few years has seen Santa Catarina play host to both the Brazilian professional circuit and the ASP World Tour.
Surfing is huge in Floripa, with every car, kombi and even the local buses kitted out to carry boards, but kite-surfing may one day rival it for popularity. The winds off beaches such as Praias Campeche, Joaquina and Barra da Lagoa and on the calmer waters of Lagoa da Conceição fill the colourful kites of more kite-surfers every year, with professional competitions taking place around Praia and Ilha do Campeche.
Wind-surfing has been surpassed a little but is still hanging on as an island sport.
Sailing is one more popular Lagoa activity, and the windy weekend days see sails unfurled all around the lagoon, while kayaks and pedal-boats can be found for hire along the main road, Avenida das Rendeiras. Jet-skis also put in the occasional noisy appearance, although they tend to be privately owned and not for hire.
A short walk from the Lagoa takes you to the dunes at Joaquina. Sand-boarding is cheaper than all of these activities, and the cheapest fun too. Watching people of all ages tumble spectacularly down the dunes and return covered in sand is highly entertaining.
While at the top of the dunes or out in the centre of Lagoa, you may well be able to see colourful parachutes way up in the air as well as those with kite-surfers attached. Paragliding and hang-gliding take to the air from the ramp on top of the hill overlooking Centro da Lagoa, and tandem flights also from the headland above Praia Mole.
Away from the adrenaline, trekking the trails around the island to find undisturbed Atlantic Rainforest, wild beaches, rocky cliffs and rugged mountains is the best way to escape the crowds. The natural features of Floripa and the stunning views from hilltop and headland reward those prepared to strike out.
If you can drag yourself away from Floripa and the coast, Santa Catarina also has great interior activities. The rivers running down from the Serra do Tabuleiro mountains around Santo Amaro do Imperatriz have great rapids for whitewater rafting.
Mountain Biking enthusiasts have a lot of options around Floripa, from trails around the lagoons, through the forests and along the beaches, to those summiting the hills of the island and the Santa Catarina mountains.
With miles of beaches, dunes and trails, horse riding should probably be more popular on the island than it is.
Whale Watching is possible around Florianópolis too, although the most popular beach to view the Southern Right Whales frolicking in the southern springtime water is Praia da Rosa, just south of Garopaba on the mainland.
If it isn’t whale season, it will always be birding season. The diverse habitats of Santa Catarina make it a popular destination for bird-watching.
There are a few dive sites around the island for you and your scuba diving buddies, and a couple of operators taking divers out to them, summer and winter.
If cold water isn’t your thing, then hot water might be. The thermal springs bubbling up from the mountains make Santo Amaro do Imperatriz a popular trip away from the island for some relaxation.
The rhythmic sound of Brazil’s beaches is the noise of rubber on wood. Frescoball can be found on every beach from Iapoche to Chui and Floripa is no exception.
If all these Floripa activities are still not enough to keep you fit or you don’t have time to organize it all, you may prefer going for a good old-fashioned run.