Praia Mole

Praia Mole, or Mole Beach, is situated in Santa Catarina state, on a thin strip of land separated from the city of Florianopolis by the Lagoa de Conceição. Just short of a kilometre in length, the beach shifts in width between 10 and 100 metres.

Long, peeling waves attract the region’s surfers, who are able to enjoy both left and right hand breaks which can handle a pretty chunky swell. Praia Mole is also popular with paragliders, who launch themselves from the nearby slopes to soar above the beach and become part of the stunning vista.

When it comes to food and drink, there are bars and shops close to the beach that are open throughout the day and into the night. Towards Galheta, Praia Mole becomes a beach for naturists, which has long been a haunt with LGBT+ beachgoers, but particularly during the long summer.