Lagoinha do Este

Lagoinha do Leste - Florianópolis Beach

Região: south of the island
Subdivision: south swamp
Nearby beaches: Matadeiro Beach (medium/heavy trail 4,3 km north) | Pantano do Sul beach (0,5 km + median trail 2,4 km south)
Distances: Centro e Bus Station 26 km + 2,4 km of trail or boat | Airport 16 km + 2,4 km of trail or boat
Beach Type: Intermediate Beach (variable bottom, with sandbanks)
Curling: High (from medium to large waves)
Sand range: Media (between 10 m and 20 m) and Long (above 20 m)
Beach Length: 1,2 km
water temperature: Fria
Also find: surf, fishery, lagoa, trail, go, boat trips

Beach, cliffs, lagoon, waterfall and native forest. These ingredients are all together in Lagoinha do Leste, which hides its charm among the southern hills of Santa Catarina Island.

There are three ways to get to the beach, by two trails and by boat. The best way to get to Lagoinha do Leste is on foot. By car it is impossible, there is no road.

You can also go by sea, with precarious landing due to the surf. The boats that make this route are from local fishermen, who take and look for tourists during the summer. They leave from Pântano do Sul and take about fifteen minutes.

This relative difficulty of access has served, over time, as a protective shield for the place.

As for the two trail options, each has its advantages. To get there faster and on a quieter trail, you should take the one that leaves the south swamp, taking an average of an hour's walk, passing through the woods and hills. It is the most used access by visitors.

On the walk you can sweat your shirt, but it also doesn't require greater skills and can be faced without sacrifice. The ground is rocky and uneven, but easy to walk on if you pay attention to where you step. The trail is very well marked. After the climb, there is the surprise of a fabulous view of Lagoinha. Then just go down and sink your feet in the sand on the beach.

The other trail leaves the Matadeiro Beach, which is longer and more difficult – lasting about three hours.

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Natural Features of Lagoinha do Leste

Just over 1,2 km of sand strip is surrounded by cliffs, native forests, open sea, lagoon and waterfall. It is one of the last strongholds of Atlantic Forest still preserved in Florianópolis. To maintain this preservation, the area is protected by law and cannot be built in the region.

The waters are clean and crystalline, with wild waves and strong surf due to the open sea. The sand is clear and fine – with a width that varies between ten and 120 meters.

The lagoon that names the place is formed by the outflow of rivers that form on the steep hill of Matadeiro, the waters flow to a cove and constitute the estuary lagoon. Other small streams that are born in the middle of the forest also run towards the lagoon, with the occurrence of small waterfalls. This freshwater lagoon that follows a river until it flows into the sea, makes the sea water alternate between sweet and salty.

A magical feature of Praia da Lagoinha do Leste is that, on rare occasions, bioluminescent plankton (or popularly called phosphorescent algae) make the water glow even at night.

History of Lagoinha do Leste

The area was frequented by fishermen from the south swamp, but it was never colonized by either Azoreans or Indians. It always had the atmosphere of a deserted beach. In 1992, by law nº 3701, the region was classified as a permanent preservation area and therefore it is not allowed to build houses, shops or roads.

DISCOVER MORE South Island beaches

1. Lagoinha do Leste Beach
2. Morro das Pedras beach
3. Pantano do Sul beach
4. Azores beach
5. Armacao Beach
6. Solitude Beach
7. Campeche beach
8. Saquinho Beach
9. Matadeiro Beach
10. Shipwrecked Beach
11. Ribeirao da Ilha
12. Taper

other regions

Looking for beaches in other regions of the island? See

• Beaches on the East of the Island
• North Island beaches