Sandy beaches and waves but a poor infrastructure, poor bathrooms and ugly restaurants. The narrow road to get there gets overcrowded easily, no parking.
The experience starts with a wood fishing boat converted into a passenger boat. No life vests were given and we faced 6ft waves all along the way from Armação to the island with no protection other than holding onto the boat hull. One of the most terrifying rides I ever had.The place is lovely. Pristine waters and white sand beaches. Until you get in the water... two of my friends were burned by jellyfish (we were on a party of 8). The water was just full of Caravelas, a pink jellyfish.I'm not going back there unless a better boat shows up (or at least life vests are given, for Christ's sake!!) and someone ensures the water doesn't have loads of jellyfish.
I enjoyed as I wasn´t expecting much more then nature. Great white sanded beach, lushes of green and nice view to the main island. Indeed a poor structure with one restaurant. There is a guided tour to the other side of the island but normally they don´t speak any English so.... nice walk to view art rock dating back 3.000 years or more. I recommend you take a pack lunch, go by 09am and spend the day untill about 3pm. To avoid the crowd go there between march and November.
Amazing place to stay during a day, you can get there since Armação Beach or in a boat since Campeche Beach. There is a restaurant to lunch and some guided trail to see ancient inscriptions.
In august (the brazilian winter), there is a great chance to be alone on this beautiful pearl in the atlantic ocean. The boatride takes about 30 minute both ways 50 R$). Enjoy an incredible beach and beautiful nature!
If visiting Floripa, this is a must do! The beach is beautiful and there are lots of bright yellow crabs around and other types of marine life around the beach... The water is this amazing turquoise and the sand is super soft! Definitely a must do!! The beach ferry you take from Campeche is also a great one and is extremely beautiful. I would recommend spending a couple nights on this side of the island to explore the many beaches of this island.
Lots of people on kite surf. Large sand area before the ocean water. Total average beach, not a wonderful place etc.
The magic start when you sail from armação beach. Then a mixed green and blue seawater welcomes you to a beautiful island view.The infrastructure is very poor, but it is a protected area.It's nice to share wildlife, be careful with food thieves coatis :)
Very nice place to spend a half or full day. You take the boat there (I recommend the fast boats, from Campeche beach, which are more expensive but a lot faster, much more fun and won't make you sea sick), and on the island you will find one nice beach facing Florianopolis, very clear waters, maybe a crowd on full season. And many quatis, which are small mammals that are eying your food (they will steal food left unattended, but will not attack you, don't worry). There are well organized treks that you have to hire a guide to lead you (this is a protected area) with some hill climbing and a lot of amazing views. The shortest take less than an hour, the longest around 3 hours. Poor options to eat there, you may want to bag a lunch or something like that. Please help keep the place clean. Enjoy!
There is no place like that around Florianópolis. It took me a while to go there because everybody complains the boat is quite expensive but I guess it's a very fair price (around R$60) considering the preservation of the island. The environment is amazing, very relaxing and there are friendly guides helping around in case u need.