Armacao Beach (Praia da Armacao)
Florianopolis, South Brazil
Stretching for 2 miles (3.2 kilometers), Armacao Beach (Praia da Armacao) is a beautiful stretch of sand in southern Florianopolis. While the water here can feel a little cooler than other more tropical beaches, the sand is a bright white and the ocean has a distinctly turquoise hue, making it a dream for photographers.
The basics
A highlight of the beach is the Sant'Anna Church that backs it; this was where fishermen would pray before heading out to sea. Armacao Beach is a staple of sightseeing tours of southern Florianopolis, which help you travel to hard-to-reach parts of the south. Excursions often combine the beach with Lagoa da Conceicao, famous for its kitesurfers, and the Mirante Do Morro Das Pedras viewpoint, which offers stunning vistas of the mountains and sea.
Things to know before you go
- Armacao Beach is accessible for wheelchair users.
- There are a few rustic beach bars, restaurants, and vendors who patrol the beach.
- The beach’s horseshoe shape means that the waters are relatively calm and good for swimming.
How to get there
Armacao Beach spans 1.9 miles (3.2 kilometers) from Ponta da Companha to Morro das Pedras in the north. It is around a 20-minute drive from downtown Florianopolis. The nearest bus stop is Rodovia Francisco Thomaz dos Santos - SC-406, which is served by buses traveling from both further south and north.
When to get there
Armacao Beach (Praia da Armacao) is busiest during the peak summer months of November through February when the weather is most likely to be fine. While there’s a small chance of rain, visiting in the shoulder seasons of October and March make for a quieter experience.
The best beaches in South Florianopolis
Armacao Beach isn’t the only sandy stretch in Floripa’s rugged south, which is less built up than the island’s center. Other top spots include Matadeiro Beach, a calm bay fringed by lush forest, and Lagoinha do Leste Beach, which you can access via one of the island’s most famous hiking trails featuring an epic rocky viewpoint of the sandy crescent.
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