Ribeirão da Ilha, Lagoinha do Leste and Pântano do Sul (South Island) Guide

While the northern beaches of Florianópolis are known for calm resort waters, the Southern Island (Sul da Ilha) remains a timeless landscape of Atlantic Rainforest ridges, freshwater lakes, artisanal fishing coves, and eighteenth-century Azorean oyster farms.

1. Hiking to Wild Lagoinha do Leste and Morro da Coroa

Protected within the 1,118-hectare Parque Natural Municipal da Lagoinha do Leste, 1.2-kilometre-long Praia da Lagoinha do Leste has zero roads or permanent buildings: just golden sand, an emerald S-shaped freshwater lagoon, and granite headlands. Reach it via two classic trails:

• The Pântano do Sul Trail (Shortest): Starting from Rua Manoel Pedro Oliveira in Pântano do Sul, this shaded 2.3-kilometre footpath (50 to 60 minutes) climbs over a forested saddle to the southern corner of the beach.
• The Matadeiro Coastal Trail (Most Scenic): Starting from the stream at Praia do Matadeiro, this 4.3-kilometre cliff-top route (2 to 2.5 hours) hugs the ocean headlands before descending to the lagoon.
• Climbing Morro da Coroa: From the southern beach, a 35-minute scramble climbs to the tilted granite crown of Morro da Coroa (190 metres) for the iconic bird's-eye view.

2. Pântano do Sul, Praia da Armação, and Lagoa do Peri

Before or after your hike, stop in Pântano do Sul, where wooden fishing dories rest on the sand and traditional beachfront restaurants (operating since 1958) serve whole grilled fish and shrimp pirão. Just north along SC-406, walk the footbridge to Ilha das Campanhas at Praia da Armação (where boats depart for Ilha do Campeche), or swim in the Blue Flag-certified freshwater of Lagoa do Peri.

3. Freguesia do Ribeirão da Ilha (1748) and Naufragados

Cross to the calm South Bay along Rodovia Baldicero Filomeno to enter Ribeirão da Ilha, settled by Azorean families in 1748. Bright colonial cottages frame the 1806 Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Lapa do Ribeirão (built with seashell-and-whale-oil mortar), while wooden piers over the bay serve the island's freshest oyster tastings.