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- Beaches
- Ask a Local
- Locals have answered 27 questions about Florianopolis.
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1. Lagoa da Conceicao
- Not only the geographical center of Florianopolis, the banks of the Lagoa da Conceicao are in many ways also the island's cultural heart. A mix... read more
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- Attractions
- Nile Expert Tip: Best place on the island for nightlife
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2. Praia Joaquina
- The bad boy, Bond girl beach of the island, hands down, Praia Joaquina defines Florianopolis's eastern shore. In the 1970s, the beach was discovered... read more
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- Beaches
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3. Florianopolis Boat Tour
- A popular way to spend your day on the island of Florianopolis is to go around it in a "scuna" (traditional schooner). Typically lasting five to... read more
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- Boating
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4. Ilha do Campeche
- Beckoning from the shores of Praia do Campeche, this officially designated ecological and historical site is home to some of the most pristine... read more
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- Outdoor Recreation
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5. Praia do Campeche
- Laid back, semi-isolated, and stretching for miles, Campeche beach is an entry point to the island's southern shore. Most tourists will enter where... read more
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6. Praia Mole
- For the young and muscular, Praia Mole's the place to be. Crowding the beach in bikinis and Speedos, Floripa's cool kids flock here to mingle and... read more
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- Beaches
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7. Praia Naufragados
- Florianopolis and the Island of Santa Catarina are famous in Brazil as areas of colonization by Azorean immigrants in the 18th century, and indeed,... read more
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- Beaches
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8. Morro da Cruz, Florianopolis - Santa Catarina
- The best view of the actual city of Florianópolis, is the top of Morro da Cruz, the highest point above the city. See an earlier review for further... read more
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- Climbing
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9. Praia dos Ingleses
- Florianopolis is a major destination not only for Brazilians, but for their South American counterparts -- Argentinians, Uruguayans, and Chileans... read more
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- Beaches
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10. Ponte Hercilio Luz
- Little-known fact: the city of Florianopolis is actually divided between a section on the mainland and one on the island of Santa Catarina (often... read more
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- Architecture
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The Best of NileGuide
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Florianopolis is an island. Understand this, and you'll see why many of our top picks for things to do here are "praias" (beaches). Come here looking for museums, haute cuisine, or architectural marvels, and you might be disappointed. Come with a beach blanket, an umbrella, and a pair of Havaianas, and you'll be well prepared for what Floripa has to throw at you.
If you're into surfing and watersports, even better. Praia Joaquina and Lagoa da Conceicao offer up chances for surfing and other nautical activities, respectively. Joaquina in particular, discovered by surfers in the 1970s and never abandoned, is a haven for bros and babes looking to get on the water.
Just want to sit back and relax on the beach? Campeche is a classic example of Brazilians' laissez faire attitude to soaking in the sun on the shore. Isolated, remote Naufragados offers superb vistas and the chance to commune with nature. Not isolated enough, you say? Then Ilha do Campeche (Campeche Island), is for you.
Ok, so Praia Mole might be more about status and strut than sitting on your lazy butt, but it's still a beach, and it also has a nightlife all its own. It's also close enough to Lagoa da Conceicao's bars and restaurants to serve as an excellent starting point for your nocturnal agenda.
We've also included iconic Hercilio Luz bridge here in case you really can't (or don't want to) make it to the beach, or are a history buff. You can also get your bearings on the island with a hike to the top of Morro da Cruz (Cross Hill) or a jaunt around the island in a schooner.
