lagoon · Florianópolis, SC
Lagoa da Conceição
The heart of the island, it brings together water sports, dunes, restaurants and the lively Avenida das Rendeiras. By day it's stand-up paddling and kiting; at night it becomes Floripa's main nightlife hub.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Lagoa da Conceição
Lagoa da Conceição is the largest body of water on Santa Catarina Island: about 20 km², 13.5 km from north to south, connected to the sea by the Canal da Barra. It's shallow: the average depth is 1.7 meters. It also gives its name to the neighborhood on its shore, a former Azorean parish founded in 1750, which has become one of the hubs of Florianópolis's nightlife and food scene.
The Azorean heritage still shows on Avenida das Rendeiras, where handmade bobbin lace is sold, and in the seafood served at the waterfront restaurants. The Lagoa centrinho has bars, fairs and shops, and is busy day and night.
Around the water are the dunes. The Parque Municipal das Dunas da Lagoa da Conceição, created in 1988, has free access and is where people sandboard, near Praia da Joaquina. The park also protects archaeological sites. On the lagoon you can do stand-up paddling, kayaking, sailing and kitesurfing.
Costa da Lagoa, on the western shore, is a community with no car access. You get there by boat, a crossing of about 12 minutes from the lake terminal, or by a trail of about two hours through the forest. The waterfront restaurants make the boat trip a lunch outing. Lagoa sits halfway between downtown and the eastern beaches, such as Joaquina and Barra da Lagoa, and ends up on almost every itinerary around the island.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
An afternoon for the centrinho and the dunes; a day with the trip to Costa da Lagoa.
Best time
Late afternoon, for the sunset over the lagoon. For swimming, water quality varies from week to week: check the IMA report first.
How to get there
The neighborhood is in the east of the island. By bus, there's a direct line between the downtown terminal (TICEN) and the Lagoa terminal (TILAG). Boats to Costa da Lagoa leave from the lake terminal, in the centrinho (small town center).
Tip
Check IMA's weekly water quality report (balneabilidade.ima.sc.gov.br) before going in the water: some spots on the lagoon are rated unsuitable and others suitable in the same week.
A look at the place
Lagoa da Conceição 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 Lagoa da Conceição
Can I swim in the lagoon?
It depends on the spot and the week. IMA publishes water quality reports, and some spots are rated suitable while others are unsuitable at the same time. Check before going in the water.
How do I get to Costa da Lagoa?
By boat, from the lake terminal in the Lagoa centrinho, or by a trail of about two hours through the forest. There's no car access.
Where can I go sandboarding?
On the dunes of the Parque Municipal das Dunas da Lagoa da Conceição, near Joaquina. Access to the park is free.
Can I get there by bus?
Yes. There's a direct line between the downtown terminal (TICEN) and the Lagoa terminal (TILAG).