Roadtrip: 3 Days Santa Catarina Coast

Outline

Day 1: Floripa to Garopaba via Guarda do Embaú

• Morning: Depart Florianópolis (cross the bay) and drive south along the coastline.

• Midday: Stop at Guarda do Embaú – a quaint fishing village with a famous surf beach and river crossing. Relax on the sand and enjoy a river boat ride.

• Afternoon: Continue to Garopaba area. Check out Praia do Rosa or Praia da Ferrugem at sunset before settling in.

Day 2: Lagoons, Beaches, and On to Laguna

• Sunrise: Start with a sunrise at Praia do Rosa (Imbituba) for panoramic views.

• Morning: Explore Lagoa da Ibiraquera – a wide lagoon for paddleboarding or kite lessons, with glassy water and sandbars.

• Afternoon: Discover small beaches around Garopaba (Ferrugem or Silveira), maybe a short hiking trail (Praia do Ouvidor path) or a café stop.

• Evening: Drive to Laguna. Stroll along Laguna’s historic canal, spot the Anita Garibaldi statue, and enjoy dinner by the water.

Day 3: Farol de Santa Marta and Return

• Morning: Hike up to the Farol de Santa Marta lighthouse just outside Laguna. Soak in 360° views over sand dunes, ocean and Cardoso beach below.

• Late Morning: Explore Laguna’s old town (museum and seaside park) or relax on a nearby beach. Grab lunch at a local market or seafood shack.

• Afternoon: Head back north along the coast. Optional stop at Praia da Pinheira (Palhoça) to walk its wooden dune boardwalk at sunset before returning to Florianópolis.

Introduction

Set out on a dreamy 3-day escape from Florianópolis and discover why Santa Catarina’s southern coast is a local favorite. Leave the busy beaches of the island behind and wind your way along coastal roads framed by coconut palms, distant headlands and turquoise waves. In just a few hours’ drive, you’ll find yourself at pristine hidden beaches, scenic lookout points and charming seaside towns. This trip mixes outdoorsy fun (surf, SUP, trails) with easy relaxation (sunny cafés, lazy beach afternoons) and plenty of local flavor. Think fresh seafood by the ocean, small inns with hammocks, and panoramic views that Instagram dreams are made of.

We recommend renting a car for maximum flexibility – it’s the simplest way to hop between quiet bays and viewpoint stops (see our Getting Around Floripa: Transport Guide for tips on driving and car rentals). Throughout your journey, imagine the Atlantic breeze on your face and the scent of salt in the air. Embrace unhurried moments: a morning coffee at a beach kiosk, an impromptu hike through the dunes, and conversations with friendly locals in seaside villages. Each day has a new vibe – from surfer-chic Embaú to bohemian Garopaba to historic Laguna – making this coastal road trip a rich blend of romance, nature and culture. Ready to hit the road?

Day 1: Floripa to Garopaba via Guarda do Embaú

Morning: Start early from Florianópolis and cross over to the mainland side (via the BR-101 or Pedro Ivo bridge). The drive south hugs the coastline – keep your camera ready for glimpses of palm-fringed coves below and the silhouette of rolling dunes ahead. About 1–1½ hours after leaving the city you’ll arrive at Guarda do Embaú, a picture-postcard fishing village.

At Guarda do Embaú, park near the river and take the iconic little boat (“rabeta”) across the Rio Madre to reach the beach. The quaint wooden barquinhos shuttle visitors back and forth – a charming local ritual. Once on the sand, you’ll find a wide crescent beach backed by green hills and warm, clear water. It’s popular with surfers year-round (if you’re up for it, surf schools run lessons right on the beach) but there’s plenty of space to lounge or explore. Walk the sandbar to your right for a quiet spot, or grab a cold coconut or a pastel (fried pastel snack) from one of the shade tents by noon.

Enjoy the slow pace in Guarda do Embaú: fishermen mend nets by sunset, and you might spot a kite surfer carving across the sky. In the afternoon, leave Embaú and continue south. A short drive brings you to Praia do Rosa (in the municipality of Imbituba) or Garopaba, depending on your lodging plans. Both are charming – Rosa is a famed surf and whale-watching beach, while Garopaba is a relaxed town with a family-friendly bay. If you stay in Garopaba town, wander the pedestrian streets, enjoy a lunch of grilled shrimp or pastel de camarão (shrimp pastry), and perhaps take a quick dip in Garopaba’s broad bay.

Alternatively, detour slightly to Praia da Ferrugem (near Garopaba) with its neat wooden pier and rocky lookout; climb the coastal trail for sea views. By evening, settle into a cozy pousada (guesthouse) in the area. Bonus tip for sunset: if you can, catch the golden light at either Ferrugem or Rosa South beach, which glow under the low sun. For dinner, try a beachfront bar or a local restaurant serving freshly caught fish and caipirinhas (the local sugarcane cocktail). This first night, you’ll fall asleep to the sound of waves and a contented sea breeze, after a full day of coastal discovery.

Day 2: Lagoons, Beaches, and On to Laguna

Sunrise & Morning: Wake up early and head back to Praia do Rosa for sunrise. The broad sweep of Rosa beach (a natural bay flanked by dunes) lights up in soft pastel colors. Watch the day begin – surfers carving through dawn waves, and maybe even a distant whale spout on the horizon (during winter months, Southern Right whales migrate here). After sunrise, stroll along the sand or climb the small dunes for sweeping vistas.

Later, drive a few minutes around the headland to Lagoa da Ibiraquera, a long shallow lagoon just inland from the ocean. Here the water is flat and warm – ideal for paddleboarding, kayaking or simply floating. Wind and kitesurfers may be zipping over the lagoon’s mouth, but the main lagoon stays calm. You can rent paddleboards or stand-up kayaks, or just lounge by the water with a cold drink. On one side is the ocean beach, on the other a thin sand spit – a scenic spot for photos. The lagoon’s edges have a few rustic kiosks and cafés: enjoy a late breakfast of pão de queijo (cheese bread) and coffee at one of these lakefront stands while taking in the view. If you work remotely, this is a great time to catch up on email – many cafes in Garopaba/Rosa area offer decent Wi-Fi in case you want to post some vacation snaps. (By the way, our Transport Guide has tips if you need a SIM card or local connectivity.)

Afternoon: After lunch, spend the early afternoon exploring a couple more beaches or trails around Garopaba. For instance, drive back toward Garopaba and stop at Praia da Silveira, a quieter surf beach with a rocky headland. Climb the trail that leads to Praia do Ouvidor – about 2 km from Ferrugem – if you’re up for a short hike with spectacular coastal views. Ouvidor itself is tiny and tranquil, best reached on foot via the Mirante do Ouvidor trail. It’s a perfect hidden gem where you might have the rocks and sea to yourself. (A useful tip: pack swimwear and towels today – you’ll have chances for another swim if you like.)

By mid-afternoon, turn south again and drive toward Laguna (roughly 1½–2 hours from Garopaba, via SC-434 then BR-101). The road cuts through rolling hills and patches of forest; stop briefly at a hilltop viewpoint if you see one for expansive vistas of the coastline you’ve toured. Arrive in Laguna in time for evening. This town has a laid-back, almost tropical feel mixed with colonial history. Park by the picturesque canal that runs through town – you’ll see colorful fishing boats and the statue of Anita Garibaldi (a local heroine) at the waterfront.

Evening: Check into your overnight lodging in Laguna. There are a few pousadas and inns in the historic center; they’re simple but charming (some even have verandas overlooking the water). In Laguna, life slows down after sundown. Enjoy a seafood dinner at a canal-side restaurant – dishes like moqueca (fish stew in coconut milk), grilled lobster or shrimp are highlights of the region. End the night with a nightcap on the water’s edge (perhaps a cold beer or a caipirinha made with cachaça or local fruit). Listen to the distant hum of the boats and the gentle lapping of the canal – Laguna has an almost magical quiet once the day tourists leave.

Day 3: Farol de Santa Marta and Return to Florianópolis

Morning: On your final day, wake up in time for sunrise at Farol de Santa Marta, about a 20-minute drive south of Laguna center. The lighthouse here is perched atop a steep dune, overlooking endless white beaches (Cardoso and Cigana) and the Atlantic. A short trail leads up to the top – it’s an easy hike of 10–15 minutes, but go in sturdy shoes as the sand can be loose. From the summit, you’ll be rewarded with a sweeping 360° panorama: turquoise ocean to one side, the village of Santa Marta (with its pastel houses) below, and lagoon-side marshes to the other side. This is easily one of the most photogenic spots on your trip. Take your time soaking in the view – morning light is perfect for pictures.

For the adventurous or history buffs: if you’re curious, you might explore the ruins of an old house by the lighthouse that carries a tragic legend (left behind by fishermen long ago). But mostly, just breathe the salty air and revel in the quiet. On the way down, stop at the small café/restaurant near the lighthouse parking lot for a fresh fruit juice or grilled cheese – it’s a simple place but the view makes it special.

Late Morning: Head back toward Laguna’s center. There’s time to explore a bit more of this charming town. Walk along the canal and perhaps pop into the little local Garibaldi Museum, or browse for souvenirs (laguna is famous for its ceramics and straw handicrafts). If you’re still hungry, grab a late breakfast or brunch at a bakery – don’t miss the pastel de nata (Portuguese custard tart), a legacy of Laguna’s Azorean heritage. If the tide is low on the lagoon, take a stroll on the pier by the harbor.

Afternoon: Begin the return drive north to Florianópolis. You can retrace the coastal route via BR-101, which leads you through Palhoça. Before leaving Santa Catarina’s mainland behind, consider a last stop at Praia da Pinheira (just south of Floripa). Pinheira is famous for its long wooden boardwalk (passarela) over dunes that connects the ocean beach to Lagoa Pequena. A late-afternoon walk here is a dreamy way to end the trip – the golden sun slanting through the greenery, pelicans flying low, and maybe fishermen tending their nets on stilts.

As the sun starts to dip, continue the short hop back to Florianópolis (it’s only about 45 minutes from Pinheira to downtown Floripa). You’ll arrive before dinner time, rounding out three days of coastal exploration.

Throughout this journey, remember the spirit of slow travel: stop at a roadside fruit stand for a snack, chat with local surf instructors about conditions, or linger for a sunset viewpoint. Whether you met a few fellow travelers at a pousada or shared a Brazilian barbecue (churrasco) in Garopaba, these personal touches make the trip feel curated and lived-in, not just a checklist. Check out our other travel guides for more tips – for instance, our Best Day Trips Off the Island post has ideas for one-day escapes if you ever want to stay closer to home next time. But for now, enjoy winding roads, the sound of waves on repeat, and the unique character of Santa Catarina’s southern coast.