Praia da Lagoinha do Leste is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches in Florianópolis, located in the south of the island.

Located between the beaches of Pântano do Sul and Matadeiro and accessible only by trail or boat, the beach is a true natural paradise and a haven for those seeking tranquillity and contact with nature.

The sea at Lagoinha do Leste is rough, with strong waves and great for surfing.

There is no infrastructure on the beach. It is therefore recommended that visitors bring their own food and drink to enjoy the day.

History of Lagoinha do Leste

The history of Lagoinha do Leste is linked to the region's first inhabitants, the Tupi Guarani Indians.

It is believed that they used the beach as a stopping point on their canoe trips along the coast.

To get to the beach, you have to hike for about two hours, which can be a bit steep in some sections, but is rewarded by the beauty of the path, with panoramic views of the coastline and lush nature.

Community and culture

There are no specific records of historical inhabitants of Lagoinha do Leste beach, but the region was inhabited by indigenous people before the arrival of the Portuguese colonizers.

There are currently a few families living in the area, mainly in farms and houses near the entrance to the trail that leads to the beach, who play an important role in maintaining the site and helping tourists and visitors who camp on the beach.

Some locals also work as tourist guides, accompanying groups on hikes along the trail and providing information about the history and fauna and flora of the region.

Trails to Lagoinha do Leste

To get to Lagoinha do Leste beach, you have to take a trail, and there are two options.

The trail can be done by people of all ages and is not recommended for children, but you must be in good physical condition and wear suitable clothing and footwear, as there are many stones on the ground.

The trail can be accessed from Matadeiro Beach or Pântano do Sul.

The trail starts at the left end of Praia do Matadeiro. In Pântano do Sul, you have to cross the Rio das Pacas and follow the signs.

The Pântano do Sul trail takes an average of one hour to walk and is of medium difficulty, making it the most popular access for visitors.

The Matadeiro beach trail is a little more difficult and takes around 3 hours.

The path is well signposted, but in some sections it can be a little slippery and steep, so you need to be careful.

During the trail, you can see the typical vegetation of the Atlantic Forest and a beautiful view of the beach.

Access by boat

It is also possible to reach the site by sea, but disembarking can be a little precarious due to the force of the waves.

The boats that ply this route are run by the region's own fishermen and transport tourists during the summer season.

From Pântano do Sul, the boat trip takes about fifteen minutes.

Lagoon after which the beach is named

When you arrive at the beach, you can see the lagoon that gives the place its name.

It is the result of rivers flowing down the steep hill, whose waters flow into an inlet and form the lagoon.

In addition, small streams that spring up in the forest also contribute to the volume of water in the lagoon, like small waterfalls.

It's interesting to note that this freshwater lagoon follows a river until it flows into the sea, which means that the sea water in the region alternates between fresh and salt.

Lagoinha do Leste is an isolated and wild beach with no tourist infrastructure, so it's important to bring food, water and sunscreen.

It's worth remembering that the beach is considered a Conservation Unit, so you must respect the rules of the place and not leave any garbage on the beach or on the trail.

An interesting fact about Lagoinha do Leste is that the beach is surrounded by two hills, Morro da Coroa and Morro do Capim, which, according to legend, are inhabited by elves and mystical beings.

If you love nature and hiking, this is a must-see on your visit to Magic Island.