| -link"> | | | | going on at Praia Mole. |
| This article rates the surf beaches on the island of | | | | JOAQUINA SURF BEACH |
| Florianopolis Brazil. I live in Florianopolis part-time so I | | | | Joaquina beach (just south of Praia Mole) is one of the |
| know the island well and I begin this article with my | | | | best surfing beaches on Florianopolis island and is |
| input on some of the beaches I am most familiar with. | | | | often the location of the annual WCT surfing |
| Please see the bottom of this article for ratings of all | | | | championship. The area surrounding Joaquina beach is |
| the other surf beaches in Florianopolis. | | | | nothing but sand dunes so there is no housing near the |
| Florianopolis is an island and the capitol of Santa | | | | beach but fortunately, it isn't far from Praia Mole beach |
| Catarina state in south Brazil. Florianopolis has 42 | | | | where you can find American-owned vacation rentals |
| beaches. Most of the beaches are beautiful and | | | | so this isn't an issue. This beach is not one of the |
| surrounded by jungle. Over half of them have great | | | | beautiful beaches since it is surrounded by nothing but |
| surf. This article gives a brief review of each surfing | | | | sand dunes and a large parking lot filled with tour |
| beach, giving its name, rating for surf, the direction of | | | | buses who drop off Brazilian tourists by the hundreds. |
| the surf break, and the type of surf break, such as | | | | However, the surf is great, especially during large |
| beach break, point break, sand bar, river mouth, etc. | | | | swells. This is one of the few beaches that can hold |
| PRAIA MOLE SURF BEACH | | | | its shape during a very big swell. When the surf is big, it |
| Anyone who has visited Florianopolis knows that Praia | | | | peels left off the northern point. |
| Mole beach is the best year-round location on the | | | | GALHETA SURF BEACH |
| island. Literally translated, "Praia Mole" means "soft | | | | Galheta beach, just north of Praia Mole, is also a great |
| beach" and is named so due to its extremely soft and | | | | surf spot and much less crowded than other surf |
| deep sand. Praia Mole beach is centrally & | | | | breaks since there are no access roads to it but it's |
| conveniently located on the east coast of the island | | | | just a 10-minute walk on the beach from Praia Mole. |
| and is popular for its abundant beautiful people and | | | | PRAIA BRAVA BEACH |
| great surfing. It is also popular because of its | | | | Praia Brava is located on the north end of Florianopolis |
| convenient location, being very near to the town of | | | | island and the surf is comparable to Praia Mole. |
| Lagoa da Conceicao, where you'll find a majority of | | | | Translated, Praia Brava means "furious beach" most |
| the island's bars, restaurants, gift shops, grocery stores, | | | | likely due to the frequently big and rough surf. This |
| ATMs, a gas station, and one of the best nightclubs on | | | | beach is a solid 1-hour drive from Praia Mole, the town |
| the island. | | | | of Centro, and the town of Lagoa, which means it's on |
| The surf on Praia Mole is known as being stronger | | | | the outskirts of the island and not convenientle located |
| than most other beaches, which suits the surfers just | | | | for vacationers who like to enjoy the Florianopolis |
| fine but can be dangerous for inexperienced | | | | nightlife. However, if you're a surfer looking to hit some |
| swimmers during days with large surf. Waves can | | | | different surf spots, this spot will suit you well during a |
| range anywhere from 0 feet in the summer to 18 feet | | | | nice swell. This beach is not surrounded by jungle and |
| during the winter months (June - October). For weak | | | | wildlife preserve like most other Florianopolis beaches. |
| swimmers and children, the north end of the beach | | | | Instead, it is packed with tons of hotels and condo |
| offers a protected cove where the water is always | | | | complexes. Unfortunately, this area becomes deserted |
| calm and swimming is safe even on some of the | | | | outside December, January, and February (peak |
| largest days of surf. On the beach at Praia Mole, you'll | | | | summer months) because it is simply too far away |
| find a volley ball net, a juice bar, a VIP lounge area, and | | | | from most of the islands nightlife, shopping malls, and |
| 6 different restaurants that double as beach bars. | | | | restaurants. |
| During the summer months (Dec - Feb) these bars will | | | | FLORIANOPOLIS SURF RATINGS |
| either have a live DJ or loud music because Brazilians | | | | Following are most of the surf beaches on the island |
| love to dance wherever and whenever the | | | | of Florianopolis, Brazil. This should help you when |
| opportunity presents itself. There is always something | | | | planning your Florianopolis surf vacation. |