The mullet run in Florianópolis is one of the most anticipated events on the island all year — and in 2026 it’s already underway. From May to July, huge schools of mullet (tainha) sweep up the coast of Santa Catarina, and the whole city shifts into festival mode: artisanal fishermen return to the sand at first light, restaurants fill up with traditional dishes, and travelers from all over Brazil show up to witness a tradition that’s been alive for centuries. If you’re planning to visit Floripa during this window, get ready for one of the most authentic cultural experiences in southern Brazil.
In this guide, the crew at Sea Wolf Hostels breaks down everything you need to know about the season: the history, the schedule, the best beaches to watch the fishing, the must-try restaurants, and the practical tips to make the most of this one-of-a-kind time of year.
What the Mullet Run Is — and Why It’s So Special
The mullet (Mugil liza) is a migratory fish that, every winter, travels in massive schools up Brazil’s southern coast, heading north. This natural phenomenon is exactly what anchored the first Azorean communities on the Florianópolis coast more than 300 years ago — and the tradition of catching mullet with beach seine nets has been passed down through generations without losing an ounce of its power.
Today, artisanal mullet fishing is recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Brazil. In Florianópolis, the season puts around 500 to 600 fishermen to work, generates an estimated economic impact of R$4 million, and pulls in travelers from across the country. The city — named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy — turns the fish into a badge of identity: smoked mullet, grilled mullet, mullet with cassava flour. There’s simply no winter in Floripa without tainha.
More than food, the run is a ritual. The lookouts — known as taieiras — climb the hills and clifftop viewpoints before dawn to spot the schools from above. When the fish appear, a signal goes out and the fishermen sprint to the shoreline, hauling the nets in a collective effort that can stretch on for hours. Watching that moment unfold is unforgettable.
The Mullet Run Schedule in Florianópolis 2026
The Florianópolis 2026 mullet run has had an official program running since late April, with cultural, religious, and culinary events spread across the city through July. Here are the highlights:
Official opening: The celebrations kicked off on April 26 with the traditional season-opening mass at Praia do Campeche — one of the most beautiful moments of the season, with the blessing of the boats and nets. On May 1, the official opening was marked with a procession, cultural performances, and community activities at Campeche and Moçambique beaches.
Mullet Festival at Costão (June 15–21): The festival at Costão do Santinho brings together traditional food, cultural workshops, and direct contact with the fishing community. It’s a great chance to taste dishes made with age-old Azorean techniques and to understand just how central artisanal fishing is to the identity of Florianópolis.
The Mullet Route: Throughout the season, the Mullet Route lights up 26 beaches around the island with events, fairs, and cultural happenings. Participating beaches include Campeche, Barra da Lagoa, Ingleses, Jurerê, Pântano do Sul, Moçambique, and Joaquina. At every one of them you can follow the fishermen at work and, with a bit of luck, witness a live net haul.
For up-to-date details on the official program, check out the 2026 mullet run portal.
The Best Beaches to Watch the Artisanal Fishing
Not every beach shares the same fishing heritage, and some are far better than others for watching the catch up close. Here’s where to go:
Praia do Campeche: The heart of the run. Campeche is one of the most traditional mullet-fishing beaches in Floripa — it’s where the 2026 season-opening mass took place. Get there early, around 6 a.m., and post up near the fishing huts to watch the fishermen at work. The sight of the collective haul, nets stretched across the sand with Morro do Campeche rising in the background, gives you chills.
Barra da Lagoa: The Barra da Lagoa channel has a different rhythm from the open beaches — here the fishing happens both out at sea and in the channel, and the atmosphere is something special. This fishing neighborhood keeps its historic huts and an authentic pace of life that’s barely changed since Azorean times.
Praia do Moçambique: One of the island’s longest beaches, with little tourist infrastructure and plenty of the run’s original atmosphere. Perfect if you want to escape the crowds and see the fishing in a wilder setting.
Pântano do Sul and Açores: Down in the south of the island, these communities still hold tight to the original Azorean culture. The fishing huts are older, the fishermen more seasoned, and the tradition more alive than anywhere else. A visit here is more than worth it.
Where to Eat Mullet in Florianópolis
The mullet run in Florianópolis isn’t only about watching the catch — it’s also, in a big way, about eating it. Fresh fish, pulled from the sea in the early hours of the morning, reaches the local restaurants the very same day, and the quality is in a class of its own.
The most traditional preparation is tainha na palha: the whole fish is wrapped in banana leaf and slow-roasted, locking in all its natural richness and that smoky flavor. Another classic is smoked mullet, sold at beach stalls and in the city’s public markets.
In Barra da Lagoa, the restaurants lining the channel serve fresh mullet all season long — the neighborhood’s main street packs in dozens of options, from simple spots with wooden tables to more elaborate restaurants. In Pântano do Sul, the beachfront kiosks are a sure bet for lunch on a Florianópolis winter day. And at the Mercado Público de Florianópolis, the beloved Restaurante da Ilha keeps mullet on the menu all season.
How to Experience the Run Straight From Sea Wolf
Sea Wolf has three locations strategically placed so you can make the most of the mullet run in Florianópolis. The Sea Wolf Surf Hostel Campeche (Av. Campeche, 99) sits just minutes from Praia do Campeche — the epicenter of the season opening and one of the most traditional artisanal-fishing spots on the island. It’s literally the best address for waking up early and walking to the fishing huts before sunrise.
The Sea Wolf Surf Hostel Barra da Lagoa (R. Amaro Coelho, 47) drops you right in the middle of the most charming fishing neighborhood in Floripa — perfect for exploring the channel, getting to know the historic huts, and grabbing fresh mullet at any time of day. And the Sea Wolf Social Hostel Lagoa da Conceição (Av. Afonso Delambert Neto, 12) is the ideal base for exploring the island’s tourist hub and easily reaching the beaches along the Mullet Route.
During winter, Sea Wolf also runs Adventure Camp packages with surf, hikes, Hawaiian canoe, and more — pairing perfectly with the cultural experiences of the run. Check out everything you can get into at this time of year in Floripa and build your dream itinerary.
Practical Tips for Enjoying the Mullet Run
Before you zip up the bags, a few things will make all the difference to the experience:
Get there early: The fishing happens in the early hours of the morning, when the lookouts spot the schools from above. Showing up by 6 a.m. is enough to catch the action at the huts. Bring a jacket — Florianópolis winter sits between 13°C and 21°C (55–70°F), and the wind on the beaches can cut right through you.
Respect the fishermen: Artisanal fishing demands focus and teamwork. Keep a respectful distance from the nets and boats, don’t cross the fishing area, and ask permission before photographing up close.
Go beyond Campeche: The less touristy beaches, like Açores and Pântano do Sul, offer a more intimate, authentic experience. It’s worth setting aside a day to explore the south of the island.
Mix surf and mullet: Winter brings the best waves of the year in Floripa — Campeche, Joaquina, and Praia do Mole fire up with the cold fronts. Catch a few in the morning, then sit down to fresh mullet for lunch. That’s the Lobitos Life.
Come Live the Run with the Família Sea Wolf
The mullet run in Florianópolis is one of those experiences that turns a trip into a memory for life. Watching the fishermen haul the nets at dawn, eating fresh fish roasted in banana leaf, grasping a tradition that spans centuries — there’s no leaving Floripa the same person you arrived.
Sea Wolf is here to make that experience even better. Our three locations — Campeche, Barra da Lagoa, and Lagoa da Conceição — put you in the middle of it all, with the best value on the island and a community of Lobitos that’ll make the trip even more special.
Book your stay at swshostel.com and come live the run with us. Have fun. Surf. Meet incredible people. That’s Sea Wolf.
