One of the most traditional artisanal fishing communities in Floripa has a lot to offer you, come find out more.
Welcome to the Patz Houz Hostel blog! Today, we're taking you to get to know the neighborhood where we're located, Barra da Lagoa, a traditional fishing community that insists on preserving its roots while warmly welcoming tourists. If you're planning your visit to this incredible island, take some time to explore the wonders that this beachside neighborhood has to offer. Get ready to fall in love with the traditional fishing history, stunning beaches and exciting activities that await you in Barra da Lagoa.
The main attraction of Barra da Lagoa is the beach, which offers a welcoming and safe environment for families. The closer you get to the jetties of Barra da Lagoa Canal, the calmer the sea becomes, which makes it perfect for children to play and refresh on sunny days. Additionally, you'll find a variety of seaside restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious local meal while taking in the stunning view of the sea with the Barra Canal and hills in the background.
The best access to this part of the beach is by going to Rua Amaro Coelho, where you'll probably leave your car in a parking lot, as finding street parking can be very difficult. If you're taking the bus, get off at the final stop which is right in front of the beach and Barra da Lagoa Canal.
Barra da Lagoa is a community known for its rich fishing history. Here you can witness traditional drag net fishing, typical during the tainha season, when dozens of fishermen come together to pull the net with thousands of tainha, see deep-sea fishing boats going through Barra Canal and observe fishermen on the canal jetties in the late afternoon. These old traditions are part of the local culture and provide a unique and authentic experience for visitors. It's possible to buy fresh fish directly from these fishermen and even receive tips on how to prepare the dishes.
If you're a surfing enthusiast, still learning to catch your first waves, Barra da Lagoa is the ideal place for you, the bay of the beach creates a natural gradation of waves, with waves closer to the jetties being more suitable for beginners and as you move towards the open sea, they become stronger and more challenging. With its numerous surf schools, this beach is known as the best place to learn to surf! So, if you've always dreamed of catching a wave, this is your chance to learn and have fun.
But water activities aren't just limited to surfing. The Barra da Lagoa canal offers a variety of sports options, including kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and Hawaiian canoeing. You can rent one of these equipment and explore the calm waters of the canal, admiring the natural beauty around you. Depending on the weather conditions, you'll see crystal clear water, making it possible to see lots of fish. Depending on the time of year, you might even see turtles and penguins! It's an exciting and invigorating experience for adventure lovers.
If you're looking for a more peaceful experience surrounded by nature, don't miss visiting Praia do Moçambique, which is next to Barra da Lagoa, it's the same stretch of beach just changing name and style. With its preserved atmosphere and untouched landscape, this beach is perfect for those who want to disconnect from the world and enjoy the serenity provided by nature. Here you won't find restaurants or any kind of construction in front of the sand, not even stalls. The main access is through João Gualberto Soares Highway, in the Rio Vermelho neighborhood. The secondary access, closer to Barra da Lagoa, is through the same highway, entering an unpaved street that leads to the camping area of the Cabos e Soldados da Policia Militar Association.
In addition to all these wonders, Barra da Lagoa offers others attractions that you can't miss. One of them is Projeto Tamar, a sea turtle conservation center that offers an educational experience for the whole family. Open from Wednesday to Monday in the low season, from 10am to 5pm, the entrance fee is R$30 for adults, R$15 for half-price tickets and children above 6 years old. Children under 5 years old enter for free.
Keep an eye to the weekend schedule, as it's when the healthy turtles are returned to the sea. All the turtles in the Project's tanks are there for health reasons, recovering to be able to return to their natural habitat. When they are ready to be released, they are taken to the sandy stretch of Barra da Lagoa Beach to make their way back to the sea. A space on the sand is delimited for them to have the necessary tranquility, but before that, the Tamar agents speak to the public about their characteristics and share a bit of their story. It's a beautiful and emotional moment of connection and in-depth knowledge with nature.
Also offering a deep connection with nature, you can explore the various trails that Barra da Lagoa has to offer. The best-know of these is Natural pools, to start you need to go to Prainha da Barra which is a walk in itself. From there you can access the small trail to the Natural Pools, which takes about 20 minutes, the terrain is flat and very easy to walk in flip-flops. When you reach the point of the Pools, you'll be on a huge rock that serves as a viewpoint, overlooking the entire bay of Praia Barra da Lagoa and Moçambique from a completely different angle. To access the pools, you have to go down further. This part requires attention, to get in and get out the sea, the access is all through coastal rocks, which become slippery when wet and have corals, shellfish, etc. The name "pools" gives the impression of something easy and safe, but quite the opposite! It requires a lot of attention and care because it's nothing more than a part of the sea protected by an advanced coastline in the open sea. Before entering, observe the sea conditions and waves and be extra careful with children.
For the more adventurous, the trails to the Barra Lighthouse and Boa Vista trails offer steep climbs, paths through closed forest and spectacular views! With hikes and climbs of 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Barra Lighthouse and even visit Praia da Galheta passing through the Boa Vista trail. These are moderate-intensity trails, so remember to bring 1l of water and take the hike at your own pace, with as many breaks as you need. The guarantee is a walk without regrets!
As you can see, Barra da Lagoa is a complete destination where you can immerse yourself in local culture, enjoy stunning beaches and participate in exciting activities. Now that you know a little more about this charming neighborhood in Florianópolis, be sure to include it in your travel itinerary. Patz Houz Hostel is located close to all these mentioned attractions, between 5 and 10 minutes away on foot, making it the perfect place for you to rest peacefully and plan your outings without long commutes. Check out our options for shared and private accommodations!
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