Lagoinha do Leste: Florianópolis’ Wildest Beach Adventure

Think you know beaches? Think again. Florianópolis hides a secret. A wild, untouched paradise you can’t just drive to. Welcome to Lagoinha do Leste. The adventure starts now.

Ready to Get Lost?

Forget the easy route. No cars. No crowds. Only three ways in: by boat, or by sweat. The boat from Pântano do Sul is the lazy option. Real explorers hike. Two trails. One from Pântano do Sul—short, steep, and relentless. The other from Matadeiro—longer, wilder, and packed with jaw-dropping views. You want the best? Start at Matadeiro. Watch the sunrise. Feel the Atlantic breeze. Cross the sand, then hit the trail. The forest swallows you whole. Roots, rocks, sweat. Absolutely worth it. Every single step.

The Part Nobody Tells You

Matadeiro isn’t just a starting line. It’s a legend. No cars here either. Just pure Atlantic rainforest and water so clear it stings your eyes. Cold? Sure. But you’ll want to dive in. And the name? Dark history. Whale hunting. The past lingers in the names—Matadeiro, Armação. But today, it’s all about wild beauty and raw nature.

Push on. The trail climbs. Your legs burn. The views explode open. Costão cliffs. Endless blue. You’ll want to stop. Don’t. The best is still ahead.

The Descent: Earn Your Paradise

The final stretch? Brutal. Steep, slippery, hands and knees. But then—Lagoinha do Leste. Wild. Empty. A slice of Eden carved between forest and sea. No hotels. No houses. Just a few shacks selling cold sugarcane juice and snacks. The lagoon cuts the sand in two. Wade in. Let the Atlantic wash the sweat away. You earned this.

Curious? The beach stretches just 680 meters. Walk it all. North to south. Every grain of sand feels like a secret.

Climb Higher: Morro da Coroa

Think you’re done? Not even close. Head south. The trail to Morro da Coroa waits. Only 400 meters, but it’s straight up. Four limbs, full focus. The reward? A view that’ll ruin all other beaches for you. Blue on blue. Forest tumbling into surf. You’ll want to stay forever.

But don’t get reckless. The famous Pedra do Surfista is off-limits now. Landslide risk. Respect the signs. Don’t risk your life for a selfie. Real adventure means knowing when to stop.

The Return: No Easy Way Out

Ready to leave? You’ve got options. Retrace your steps to Matadeiro. Or take the steeper, shorter trail to Pântano do Sul. Both will test you. Both will leave you grinning, exhausted, and hungry for more.

This isn’t a walk in the park. It’s a rite of passage. You’ll finish dirty, tired, and absolutely alive.

Don't Miss

The sunrise hike from Matadeiro. The sugarcane juice at the beach shack. The summit of Morro da Coroa after a brutal climb. That first plunge into the Atlantic.

The Challenge

Think you’re tough? Prove it. Skip the easy beaches. Ditch the crowds. Hike Lagoinha do Leste. Let Florianópolis show you what wild really means.