beach · Porto Belo, SC
Praia do Caixa d'Aço
A sheltered cove that works as a natural harbor, with clear, calm, emerald-green water. It draws many sailboats and motorboats, and floating restaurants open in summer and on weekends.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Praia do Caixa d'Aço
Caixa d'Aço is a small cove in the Araçá neighborhood, on the Porto Belo peninsula, on the north coast of Santa Catarina. Sheltered from the open sea and surrounded by hills covered in Atlantic Forest, it works as a natural harbor, which makes it one of the most popular anchorages in the region.
The water is calm, clear and emerald green. The strip of sand is very small and almost disappears at high tide, so the attraction here is the sea: the cove fills with sailboats, motorboats and fishing boats at anchor.
In summer, on holidays and on weekends, floating restaurants open in the middle of the cove, serving seafood. Many people arrive by motorboat or on boat tours and spend the day at anchor.
It is a place for those who enjoy a calm sea, boat trips and scenery. By land, access is via a narrow street in Araçá, and facilities on shore are limited.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
From two hours, just to see the cove, to a full day if you go by boat.
Best time
In summer and on sunny weekends, when the floating restaurants are open; late-morning light brings out the green color of the water.
How to get there
It is in the Araçá neighborhood of Porto Belo, past Praia do Araçá. By land, you get there on a narrow street that runs down to the cove, with little parking space. You can also arrive by boat, on tours that leave from the area.
Tip
On busy days, arrive early because the parking area is small. To visit the floating restaurants, check beforehand whether they are open and how you get out to them.
A look at the place
Praia do Caixa d'Aço in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Praia do Caixa d'Aço
Where is Caixa d'Aço?
In the Araçá neighborhood of Porto Belo (SC), past Praia do Araçá. It is a sheltered cove used as a natural harbor.
Can you swim at Caixa d'Aço?
Yes, the water is calm and clear. But the strip of sand is very small and almost disappears at high tide, and the cove has many boats at anchor.
Are the floating restaurants open year-round?
No. They open in summer, on holidays and on weekends. Check before you go.
How do you get to Caixa d'Aço?
By land, on a narrow street in the Araçá neighborhood, with little parking. You can also arrive by boat or motorboat.
When should you go to Caixa d'Aço?
In summer and on sunny weekends, when the water is busiest and the floating restaurants are open.