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Praia de Bombinhas

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

Where
Bombinhas
Time needed
Full day
Tickets
Free · High-season access fee R$36 per car
Free entry
Yes
Turquoise water and green hills at Praia de Bombinhas Turquoise water and green hills at Praia de Bombinhas

What to expect at Praia de Bombinhas

Praia de Bombinhas is the main beach of a small resort peninsula on the mainland north of Florianopolis, and it's the clearest turquoise water in Santa Catarina that you can reach without a boat. Protected inside a bay, it has almost no swell, a sandy bottom you can see through, and a two-kilometre curve that stays swimmable for kids the entire length. It matters because the town of Bombinhas actively caps daily arrivals in January-February with a paid access system — a rare Brazilian example of a beach community pushing back against overtourism, which aligns with visitors looking for a lighter-impact holiday.

You reach the beach by walking from anywhere in town — Bombinhas is tiny, and the beach is its main street. The middle of the sand has kiosks with tables and umbrellas (couvert R$40 credited to food), the north end near Morro do Macaco has calmer, slightly deeper water, and the south end is where local families gather. Diving trips leave from the pier at the south end towards Ilha do Arvoredo for around R$350 including gear — the marine reserve there is the best cold-water diving in the state. In the evening Av. do Leao fills with ice-cream shops and fish restaurants.

Best in November, December, March or April — the January-February crush now requires pre-registering your car and paying R$36 per day. Skip driving in on Saturdays even in low season. Praia de Quatro Ilhas and Praia da Sepultura are ten and five minutes away by car and both worth an afternoon; a Bombinhas base for two or three nights covers a lot of coastline.

Plan your visit TicketsFree · High-season access fee R$36 per car Free entryYes Time neededFull day WhereBombinhas Opening hours Beach open 24 h Lifeguards 9:00-18:00 Dec-Mar Peninsula toll booth 06:00-22:00 Jan-Feb Hotels near Praia de Bombinhas

Questions about Praia de Bombinhas

How much is Praia de Bombinhas?

The beach is free. Cars pay R$36 per day to enter the peninsula in January and February only.

When is access free?

March through December, cars and pedestrians enter freely with no ticket.

How long should I stay?

A full day, ideally with a night in town so you can dive or snorkel in the morning calm.

Any closed days?

The beach never closes. Dive trips don’t run in south-wind conditions.

Do I need to book?

Yes for January-February — pre-register your car on the Bombinhas prefecture site. Dive trips also fill up 48 hours ahead.

How do I get there?

Intercity bus Reunidas or Verde-Sul from Itajai bus station to Bombinhas terminal, 90 minutes; then a short walk.

Where to stay

Hotels near Praia de Bombinhas

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