Joaquina, Surfing beach in Florianópolis, Brazil
Joaquina is a sand beach on the eastern coast of Santa Catarina Island, in Florianópolis, known for its strong Atlantic waves and fine white sand. It runs for several kilometers and is one of the few beaches on the island that regularly receives open-ocean swells.
The area around Joaquina was originally home to fishing families who lived off the Atlantic. In the 1970s, surfers began using the beach for national competitions, which gradually turned it into a well-known surfing destination in South America.
The beach has long been a meeting point for surfers from across Brazil, and that influence is still visible today in the surf shops, schools, and the easy pace of daily life along the shore. Walking along the waterfront, visitors often see people carrying boards, watching the sea, or waiting for the right wave.
The beach is reachable from central Florianópolis by bus or car, with a short drive across the island required. The waves here can be strong, so it is worth checking conditions in advance and staying within the areas marked for swimming.
Just behind the beach, a field of tall sand dunes forms part of a protected area and supports plant life rarely found in coastal zones. Visitors who climb them can see the ocean on one side and the Lagoa da Conceição on the other.
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