Camping Candango

Bring on the beach times… the gorgeous two-kilometre sandy stretch at Canasvieiras is likely to tempt you out for many an hour loafing on its loungers and playing about in the calm waters. But that’s not all the beach life the island has on its menu. Far from it, in fact – there are more than 40 sandy stretches to pick from around the shoreline. Try Barra da Lagoa (half an hour) if you’re catching your first few waves as a surfer, or head to Praia Mole (35 minutes) or Joaquina (45 minutes) if you’re a bit handier with the board. Want something a bit quieter? Set off on the hour-long journey to the far end of the island to seek out secluded Lagoinha do Leste. It’s worth straying from the shore for a bit to wander around the island’s interior – within half an hour’s drive there are some fab trails to hike along from Florianópolis and around the huge Lagoa da Conceição. Towards the southern end of the lake there are spots for sand yachting and kitesurfing, along with plenty of places to chill out and take a dip in the lake (should you fancy a change from all that seawater).