Florianópolis is one of Brazil’s best surf destinations — over 40 beaches and a spread of waves for everyone, from the first-timer chasing that very first wave to the seasoned surfer hunting barrels. In this guide we break down the best beaches to surf in Florianópolis by skill level, so you know exactly where to paddle out depending on where you are in your surf journey.
Best beaches to surf in Florianópolis — for beginners
Barra da Lagoa
Barra da Lagoa is the perfect place to start. The waves by the channel are mellow, slow and roll in with that ideal, forgiving rhythm for anyone still finding their feet on the board. There are several surf schools right on the beach — including the Sea Wolf Surf School — with certified instructors and daily lessons.
Campeche Beach
Campeche serves up consistent waves along a wide, generous stretch of sand. If you’re a beginner, head for the northern corner — the waves break softer and with less power, giving you more time to pop up and find your balance. Sea Wolf has a spot in Campeche too, ideal if you want surf plus a place to stay with that laid-back beach vibe.
Canasvieiras Beach
Calmer and more sheltered, Canasvieiras has smaller, steadier waves — great for those first sessions if you’ve never set foot on a surfboard before.
Best beaches to surf in Florianópolis — for intermediates
Joaquina Beach
Joaquina is one of the icons of Brazilian surfing and has hosted national championships. The waves are faster, with the odd barrel — perfect if you’ve already got your paddling dialed in and want to level up your maneuvers. The beach sits close to Lagoa da Conceição and has solid infrastructure for surfers.
Praia Mole
Mole is a favorite among Floripa’s intermediate surfers. The waves pack good power with plenty of room to throw down maneuvers. Beyond the surf, Mole is famous for its views, its sunsets and the buzzing crowd that hangs out there.
Matadeiro Beach
Matadeiro catches a lot of people by surprise. Reachable only by a trail (a 15-minute walk from Armação), it offers quality waves and far fewer people than the busier beaches. For intermediates, the left-hand corner is especially good.
Best beaches to surf in Florianópolis — for advanced surfers
Praia Brava
Brava sits on the north of the island and picks up the more powerful swells rolling in from the open ocean. When a good cold front pushes up from the south, the waves turn powerful and reward surfers with real technical skill. Not one for beginners.
Santinho Beach
Santinho has an uneven sandbar that throws up unpredictable waves — which is exactly why experienced surfers chasing a challenge love it. It’s on the far north of the island and quieter than the central beaches.
When is the best time to surf in Florianópolis?
Winter (June to September) is the season for the best swells in Floripa. The cold fronts pushing up from the south bring bigger, more consistent waves — ideal for intermediates and advanced surfers. In summer, the waves are smaller and more frequent, which is great for beginners and for getting plenty of practice in with zero pressure.
To check the swell forecast before you paddle out, use Surf Forecast or Windguru — both are free and trusted by local surfers.
How to learn to surf in Florianópolis
If you want to learn to surf in Floripa, the best move is to take lessons with an instructor right from the start — it speeds up your progress and saves you from picking up bad habits that are hard to shake later. The Sea Wolf Surf School runs surf lessons in Barra da Lagoa every day, for beginners and intermediates, with all the gear included.
Beyond the lessons in the water, we’ve also got the surf skate simulator — a way to train your maneuvers on dry land, especially handy on flat days or for locking in technique between sessions.
