Santa Catarina: things to do worth your time

The most polished beach on Florianopolis' north shore, where flat green water meets a strip of beach clubs and glass villas.

Brazil's original competitive surf beach, framed by giant sand dunes you can sandboard down.

The prettiest crescent on the east coast — soft sand, warm water, and the island's most laid-back crowd.

Five kilometres of shallow, family-safe beach at the northern tip of the island — the affordable answer to Jurere.

Wide, wind-swept surf beach with an offshore island of prehistoric rock inscriptions.

Postcard turquoise water in a small peninsula town that locals compare to the Caribbean.

The peninsula's surf beach — open Atlantic, four rocky islets offshore, and none of Bombinhas' crowds.

A green-hilled crescent bay 90 minutes south of Florianopolis, on every list of Brazil's most beautiful beaches.

The young party beach south of Garopaba, and one of the strongest surf breaks in southern Santa Catarina.

Garopaba's classic surf bay — an official World Surfing Reserve, with dolphins that come into the shore.

Brazil's Copacabana of the south — a six-kilometre urban beach backed by 40-storey towers.

The clear-water cove hidden behind Balneario Camboriu — reachable only by cable car, boat or twisting road.

The classic 100-metre waterfall walk in Santa Catarina's mountain interior.

A freshwater lagoon surrounded by protected Atlantic forest, ten minutes from the beach.

The 1740 Portuguese fort defending the north entrance to Florianopolis' bay, restored and walkable.

The half-timbered event park where Blumenau's German-Brazilian identity is on year-round display.

The 1773 white cathedral on the city's founding square, and the calmest room in central Florianopolis.

The rim walk above Santa Catarina's most cinematic canyon, 900 metres straight down to the coastal plain.

Azorean fishing village on Florianopolis' quiet south-west coast — the oyster capital of Brazil.

Latin America's largest theme park — 100 attractions across 14 million square metres in coastal Santa Catarina.

The 1898 yellow market at the heart of the capital — oysters, cachaca and the city's most famous lunch stalls.

The pass-top lookout with the postcard view of Florianopolis' central lagoon.

A small private-managed island 500 m offshore with three clear-water swimming beaches and a snorkel trail.

The colonial town in southern Santa Catarina where Brazil's Republic was declared for eleven days in 1839.