beach · Florianópolis, SC
Praia da Joaquina
Famous for its strong waves and for hosting surf contests, it also has huge dunes used for sandboarding. It's one of the most iconic spots in Brazilian surfing.
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 da Joaquina
Joaquina is in the east of Santa Catarina Island, past Lagoa da Conceição. It has about 3 kilometers of light sand, open sea and strong waves, with a rocky headland at the northern end. The name only appeared on official maps in 1975; before that, the stretch was part of Praia do Campeche. A local legend tells of a Dona Joaquina swept away by the sea.
The beach became famous for surfing in the 1970s. In 1986 it hosted a world tour event for the first time, and stayed on the international calendar until 2012. It's one of the best-known contest beaches in Brazil.
Behind the sand are the dunes of the Parque Natural Municipal das Dunas da Lagoa da Conceição, created in 1988. The park has more than 700 hectares of tall sand hills, with hundreds of restinga plant species in the lower areas. In the 1980s, surfers began riding down the dunes on boards, and sandboarding became an attraction: you can rent boards and take lessons, and if you don't want to stand up, you can slide down sitting. From the top of the dunes you see the sea on one side and Lagoa da Conceição on the other.
On the rocky headland at the northern end there are Indigenous stone workshops: polishing basins carved into the rock that form an archaeological site. The beach shelves steeply, with coarse sand and a seabed that drops quickly. It has restrooms, showers, lifeguard stations and sand courts, and is among the best-equipped beaches on the island, with parking and paved access right to the sand.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
Half a day at the beach; a full day if you include sandboarding.
Best time
Summer, for the beach and surfing. For sandboarding, dry days without strong wind. In the late afternoon, the top of the dunes is the place to watch the sun set over the Lagoa side.
How to get there
It's in the east of the island, less than 20 km from downtown. By car, take the SC-404 to Lagoa da Conceição and then the SC-406. By bus, go from the downtown terminal to the Lagoa Terminal (TILAG), where you change to the Joaquina line.
Tip
The beach shelves steeply, with currents and holes in the seabed: the Fire Department lists Joaquina among the city's most dangerous beaches. Go into the water near a lifeguard station.
A look at the place
Praia da Joaquina 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 da Joaquina
Can I swim at Joaquina?
With care. The waves are strong, there are currents and the seabed drops quickly: the Fire Department ranks Joaquina among the city's most dangerous beaches. Go into the water near a lifeguard station.
Do I need to know how to surf to go sandboarding?
No. You can rent boards and take lessons on the dunes, and if you prefer, you can slide down sitting.
Can I get there by bus?
Yes. From the downtown terminal, go to the Lagoa Terminal (TILAG) and change to the Joaquina line.
Are there restrooms and showers?
Yes. The beach has restrooms, showers and lifeguard stations.
What are the marks on the rocks at the end of the beach?
They're Indigenous stone workshops: polishing basins carved into the rock of the northern headland, where stone tools were polished. It's an archaeological site.