Things to Do in Florianopolis

Sunrise sand-boarding on Joaquina dunes

Climb the blond wall of sand while the sky streaks tangerine. Slide down on waxed boards, grains pinging your shins. The smell of damp Atlantic forest drifts up from the lagoon behind.

Azorean heritage walk through Santo Antônio de Lisboa

Cobblestone lanes squeeze between pastel houses, their blue trim faded by sea spray. Inside the whitewashed chapel you'll hear the wooden saints creak. Incense mixes with the salty funk of oysters grilling next door.

Lagoon stand-up paddle to the floating oyster farms

Your board glides through mirror-calm Lagoa da Conceicao until you reach the wooden platforms. Farmers pass you knives. You slurp briny oysters straight from shell to mouth, lime juice stinging cracked lips.

Campeche surf loop at dusk

Left-hand peelers roll gently across the curved bay. From the lineup you see fishermen lighting oil lamps on the headland. You smell the first onions hitting the pan at the beach kiosk.

Trail across Costa da Lagoa to the hidden waterfall

The jungle path from Lagoa village climbs over tree roots slick with moss. Cicadas crank up the volume until you reach the cascade. Cold water slaps granite and kids swing off fraying ropes into the pool below.

Lagoa da Conceicao - hostels around the canal, live music drifting across the water at night

Jurere Internacional - sleek condos behind security gates, beach clubs with daybeds and champagne on ice

Barra da Lagoa - fisher cottages, chickens in the lane, surfboards leaning against pastel walls

Praia Mole - wooden cabins in the forest ridge, you'll wake to howler monkeys if the surf doesn't

Centro - budget hotels in high-rises, good bus connections but streets roll up after 9 pm

Campeche - mellow guesthouses, long beach walks and kite surfers dotting the horizon