Cacupé beach is one of Florianópolis' hidden treasures, located on the west coast of the island of Santa Catarina, in a more central part of the city.

The beach is known for its breathtaking view of the Hercílio Luz Bridge, one of Florianópolis' main postcards, and for its quiet and reserved atmosphere.

Although it's not a beach per se, the Cacupé waterfront offers a privileged view of the North Bay and the nearby islands, making it a popular spot for water sports such as stand-up paddle and canoeing.

The infrastructure at Cacupé beach is limited, with a few restaurant options along the shore.

However, the natural beauty of the beach and its privileged location make up for the lack of amenities.

History of Cacupé

The history of Cacupé dates back to colonial times, when the region was inhabited by indigenous tribes and later by Azorean fishermen.

Its name is of indigenous origin, derived from the Tupi-Guarani language, and means “green behind the hill”, which indicates the presence of dense vegetation in the area.

Although there are no records of indigenous settlements in the area, the neighborhood's name suggests the passage of these peoples through the region.

Historically, Cacupé was linked to the town of Santo Antônio de Lisboa, which was an important customs center in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The beaches of Cacupé were used for fishing and living by the settlers, who grew corn, beans, manioc, some fruit and cattle on the land in the area.

Troops and Legends

The beach also has historical importance as a landing place for military troops during the Federalist Revolution at the end of the 19th century.

Interestingly, Cacupé is also known for its relationship with local folklore.

Legend has it that Cacupé beach was the meeting place of the mystical beings known as “water-mothers”, who supposedly inhabit the waters of the North Bay.

Cacupé Beaches

Cacupé is a spectacular place, with stretches divided by rock formations and small hills.

The region is divided into Cacupé Grande and Cacupé Pequeno, with the former consisting of a single strip of sand and the latter of four.

Each of these four lanes has a popular name based on the names of the residents who settled there.

From the north-south direction, the beaches that make up Cacupé Pequeno are: Praia do Vivino, Praia do Hipólito (or das Irmãs), Praia do Zé da Benta and Praia do Teodoro. Nice, right?

Sunset at Cacupé

The unique beauty of the waters and the stone formations make each of these beaches a true paradise for those who want to disconnect from the world and enjoy nature.

With the variety of landscapes that Cacupé has to offer, it's easy to understand why this neighborhood is so popular at sunset with locals and tourists visiting Florianópolis.

Discover the unspoiled beauty of this unique place that is Cacupé and its sunset or view of the Hercpilio Luz bridge and enjoy unforgettable moments.

How to get to Cacupé

Cacupé beach is 20 kilometers from the city center and can be reached via Avenida Beira-Mar Norte, up the CIC elevated road and along Avenida da Saudade until you reach the SC-401 (José Carlos Daux) highway.

This highway connects the city center to the central and northern beaches.

Follow this highway straight until you reach Square Corporate on Rodovia Virgílio Várzea. Follow the signs, the route is usually well signposted.

By car
Cacupé beach is in the north of Florianópolis Island, 21 km from the bridge and the center.

Once over the bridge, stay in one of the two right-hand lanes, heading towards Avenida Beira Mar and Norte da Ilha.

Just follow the signs to the north of the island and take the SC-401 from km 17 to Rod. Virgílio Várzea in Saco Grande.

Take the Haroldo Soares Glavan road to Cacupé beach.

Buses
For those arriving by bus in Florianópolis, you should go to the Terminal Integrado do Centro (Ticen), which is 400m from the bus station.

Go to platform C, where the urban buses leave for the Santo Antônio Integrated Terminal (Tisan) or Trindade Terminal.

When you get to Tisan, you have to take another bus to Cacupé. You don't have to pay for a ticket again.

Timetables can be found here https://www.consorciofenix.com.br/ or https://www.floripanoponto.com.br/

Uber or Taxi
Uber or a similar service to Cacupé beach costs around R$ 125 from the airport and R$ 100 from the airport.