Greater Florianopolis
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Positives
- Great consistency
- Wide range of spots
- Tropical scenery
- Safe and developed area
Negatives
- Cool water
- Relatively crowded
- Some beaches close during the fishing season
- Wet climate
Greater Florianopolis surf travel guide
It is the deep south of Brazil that offers the best surf in the country, with bigger swells and more coastal variations than the N. While Parana and Rio Grande do Sul States have good potential, Santa Catarina Island, facing ESE, is definitely the best option. This island destination is commonly referred to as Florianopolis, which is actually the capital city of Santa Catarina State, as well as a port on the west side of Santa Catarina Island. It is a great destination, with a concentration of 20 breaks covering a 225° swell window, plus further south are the quality spots around Guarda, Garopaba and Imbituba.
Surf spots in Greater Florianopolis
Research the 17 surf breaks in Greater Florianopolis and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 17 breaks in Greater Florianopolis.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Greater Florianopolis
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Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 6,621,000
- Population
- 212,559,417
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- BRL
- Exchange rate
- $1 = 1.9 BRL BRL
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +55
- Dialing out
- 0014
- Emergencies
- 911
- Language
- Portuguese
Electricity
- Plug Type
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Visas
Visa free travel for nearly all nationalities for stays of up to 90 days.
Getting There
Most nationalities need a visa. Brazilian Varig airlines charge $50 board tax. National flights are expensive (buy an air pass before you arrive in Brazil), but charter flights to São Paulo are plentiful. It’s 12 hours by ‘leito’ (sleeper bus) from São Paulo ($20/o-w).
Getting Around
Rental car rates are similar to the US, from $180/week - fuel is 60¢/l. The highway BR-101 has the unenviable reputation of having the worst crash rate in the world. Roads are generally dangerous throughout the country, with road layout sometimes extremely unpredictable. A good example is the road from Garopaba to the beach, which without warning goes from a multiple lane highway down to a single lane road.
Accommodation
In the summer many people descend on this area from all the big national cities, as well as plenty of Argentineans from across the border. Finding cheap accommodation at this time becomes difficult. Throughout the surf season you should be able to get accommodation within the $20/dble range. Ask about rooms at Larica’s Café in Guarda.
Activities
The biggest party of the year in this area is the Oktoberfest, which takes place in Blumenau, and is definitely not what you would expect from Brazil. This is a cosmopolitan region but with a quiet rural vibe based around the small fishing villages. There is sandboarding in Joaquina or windsurfing in Lagoa.
Hazards & hassles
Although crowds are much thinner than in São Paulo, you’re in Brazil and all Brazilians love to surf. During the fishing season from May-June many of the beaches ban surfing, but it's worth checking protected spots during this time when big S-SE swells usually show up. Mussels and urchins occur at a few spots, notably Silveira.
Handy Hints
Boards are easily available and are relatively cheap compared to world averages. Garopaba is a good place to buy one. A high-performance shortboard will cost around $600 from a top shaper like Cabianca, but softboards and secondhand market are cheap. Inflation is running quite high, so don’t change too much money at once. The currency’s name has changed five times in the past 15 years. Cash points are plentiful.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.