Visiting Lagoa da Conceição
Welcome to Santa Catarina island, the site that defines the reputation of Florianópolis. Its capital city is known for its legendary beaches and surf breaks, but the centerpiece is the lagoon, Lagoa da Conceição. This is the largest body of water on the island, tucked between mountain ranges and partitioned from the Atlantic Ocean by a massive sandbar. The surrounding terrain is diverse, shifting from small fishing hamlets to the beach-resort atmosphere of Barra da Lagoa, with landscapes ranging from white sand dunes to dense tropical forest.
Unwinding on Santa Catarina island
Lagoa da Conceição is also the name of the small town perched on the edge of the lagoon, located west of the bridge that splits the lake into two sections. You have the lagoa de Dentro (inner lagoon) to the southwest and the lagoa de Fora (outer lagoon) to the northeast. The town is well-stocked with services, bars, and restaurants. Local wind conditions make it a prime spot for kitesurfing and sailing.
The island was originally settled by people from the Portuguese Azores in the 18th century, and the influence remains visible today. Lagoa da Conceição stands as one of the first communities established by those settlers, with the parish of Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Lagoa (Our Lady of the Conception of the Lagoon) founded in 1750. The Bento Silverio cultural center, housed in a landmark example of colonial architecture from that era, regularly hosts exhibits and events focused on this history.
Exploring dunes and villages
Lagoa da Conceição is packed with beaches and forest trails. The Costa da Lagoa path is a essential trek for anyone wanting to see the full variety of the local landscape. Near the settlement of Canto dos Araçás, keep an eye out for the famous sambaqui, which is a shell midden, or a mound of sedimented shells and organic artifacts left by early human inhabitants.
Lagoa da Conceição is a pretty big and very touristy town, with tons of bars and restaurants. But if you head toward Canto das Araçás, you will find a little trail that runs along the entire west coast of the lake. The best part is that you can stop walking whenever you want, since plenty of motorboats can take you back to town from the docks of the waterfront restaurants.