On the east side of Santa Catarina Island, Campeche Beach stretches kilometers of pale sand before the open sea — with the silhouette of Campeche Island resting on the horizon. It is a beach for surfing, long walks and attentive swimming: here the Atlantic arrives whole, with no sheltering bay.
Why visit
For the turquoise sea on a clear day, for the waves that make Campeche one of the most consistent surf spots in Florianópolis and for the rare view: a heritage island a few kilometers from the sand. It is also from here that the licensed boats depart for the crossing — the Campeche guide organizes the neighborhood, the beach and the logistics in one place.
Access and logistics
- Where it is — east coast of Florianópolis, in the Campeche neighborhood, with several accesses via public paths off the main avenue.
- Getting there — by car or bus from downtown; park on the streets near the accesses and finish on foot.
- Crossing to the island — licensed boats depart from the beach itself (local association), upon booking through the City Hall’s official system; the beach is the mainland base for the visit.
- Infrastructure — bars and kiosks along the more urban stretches; long wild stretches with no support — bring water.
What to expect from the visit
Real open sea: powerful waves, currents that shift with the wind and cold water even in summer. For swimming, prefer busier stretches and keep extra watch over children; for surfing, the peak works in various winds and sizes. Walking to the far ends — toward Morro das Pedras or Joaquina — is an outing of its own, with dunes and restinga along the way; in the late afternoon, the low light ignites the silhouette of the island offshore and the whole beach takes on postcard tones.
When to go and precautions
December to March is high season, with daily crossings to the island and a busy beach; outside summer, Campeche becomes a refuge for walkers and surfers, with the sand nearly empty on weekdays. Respect the safety flags and signs, do not underestimate the open sea and protect the restinga by using only the marked accesses.
🥾 Who is it for?
For surfers, sand walkers and travelers who want the perfect base for visiting the heritage island offshore. Families with small children will find gentler seas at other beaches on the island — here, swimming demands adult attention.