Lagoa da Conceição Beach

From Florianópolis city centre, the drive takes around 16 minutes by car, taxi, or rideshare; the bus runs daily and takes about 30 minutes. Street parking is free and available along the waterfront, though spots thin out fast on summer evenings when the nightlife strip fills up — arrive early or take the bus. Hercílio Luz International Airport (FLN) is 16.5 km away. There is no entry fee.

The lagoon itself — 20 km long and ecologically significant — is the main draw, whether you're on the water or simply watching kites arc overhead. Hike or drive the 1.3 km to Mirante da Boa Vista for elevated views over the lagoon, or push a little further to Mirante da Baleia and the Pedra de Observação de Equinócios at 1.9 km for broader panoramas. Four kilometres away, Praia da Joaquina offers iconic Atlantic surf and sandboarding on the dune barrier — a sharp contrast to the calm lagoon. The fishing village of Barra da Lagoa, 5 km along, adds fresh seafood and an ocean beach to a half-day loop.

A cluster of options sits within 300 metres of the waterfront: Beer Praia, Boteco do Beer, Sagaza, and Restaurante 2 Irmãos all offer easy post-swim eating and drinking, while Gaúchos na Barra is just 200 metres away for a heartier meal. Further afield along the lagoon shore you'll find Ponta das Caranhas, O Timoneiro, Zilá, Ilha Formosa, A Baleeira, Barracuda, Primícias do Mar, Restaurante Casa do Chico, and O Barba Negra Restaurante rounding out a genuinely varied dining strip. If you want coffee and a laptop-friendly table, Doce Gula is 300 metres away.

The closest hotel option is Hotel Boutique Quinta das Videiras, 5.3 km from the beach, offering a more intimate stay. Cris Hotel and Joaquina Beach Hotel are both 6.5 km away — the latter puts you close to the famous surf beach for a dual-beach trip. Engenho Eco Park at 7.4 km suits those wanting a greener, quieter base.

The best light hits the forested hill backdrop in the early morning, when the turquoise lagoon surface is glassy and kite rigs haven't yet cluttered the frame — position yourself on the paved waterfront promenade looking south-east. For a wider perspective, the Mirante da Boa Vista at 1.3 km gives you the full sweep of golden sand, water, and hills in a single shot, ideal around golden hour.

This is a lagoon, not an ocean beach — the water is brackish and calmer than nearby Atlantic shores, but do not let that lull you into complacency: drowning incidents have occurred, particularly in unpatrolled areas, so stay alert and swim within your limits. Kitesurf zones are clearly demarcated; swimmers must stay well clear of those areas, and no motorised watercraft are permitted in the swimming zones — observe the zone markings at all times. Kite lines, boats, and jet skis are genuine hazards if you drift out of the designated swimming area. Dog rules on lagoon shores are less strictly enforced than on ocean beaches, but verify locally before bringing a pet.