Lagoinha do Leste Beach is a must for those who come to Florianópolis in search of adventure, beautiful scenery and incredible photos for the memory, especially at Morro da Coroa (Crown Hill). Accessed only by trail or boat, this paradise is truly one of the most beautiful spots on the Santa Catarina and Brazilian coasts. So, with this post we want to show you in detail how to get there, what to do and how to enjoy this incredible beach.
How to get there by hiking:
There are three routes to get to Lagoinha do Leste beach. Two of them leave from Pântano do Sul and another from Armação.
Pântano do Sul:
From Praia do Pântano do Sul, the trail starts at Rua Manoel Pedro Oliveira. If you're driving, there are parking lots right in front that charge R$20.00 per car (January 2023). We usually leave them in the second parking lot on the right-hand side of the road, because it has toilets and the attendants are very helpful.
About 100 meters after the start of the road, there is a sign indicating the start of the trail, on the left. From there it's 1.4 km uphill until you reach the top where there is a fork in the road. Here you need to choose the route you want to take.
Continuing straight along the beaten track, you arrive directly at Lagoinha do Leste beach. If you want to go to Morro da Coroa (Crown Hill) first and then to the beach, you have to take the trail to the right, which is a little more difficult. This second option is our recommendation for those who want to go to Morro da Coroa, because it avoids the strenuous ascent that you have to make on the beach.
For those who decide to go directly to the beach, from this point the descent begins. Then it's easier, and you just need to be careful with the falls because in some sections the trail is very slippery. After about 1 km you will reach the southern part of the beach. If you decide to go to Morro da Coroa from the beach, there is a trail that starts on the shore to the right, but prepare your breath because it is a very steep and slippery climb, full of loose stones, all of it without tree cover, which makes it extremely tiring, especially on sunny days.
If you choose to go to Morro da Coroa first, the route is on a narrower trail that passes through a stretch of forest with lots of roots and rocks, making it a bit tiring and difficult, but very beautiful. You have to be careful because there are some forks that can confuse you, so it's important to use a navigation app (Let’s Hike ou Wikiloc) or go with someone who knows the way. Along this route, walking another 1.2 km from the end of the ascent, you will reach Morro da Coroa with its famous surfer's rock. But be careful! Don't hang yourself from the rocks. There have been accidents because people don't take enough care and needlessly risk themselves for a photo.
If from Morro da Coroa you decide to go down to the beach, then the steep and slippery descent begins. Be careful not to fall during the 600 meters that lead down to the beach.
Armação:
Another alternative for reaching Lagoinha do Leste beach is to start your walk at Armação Beach. From the Luiz Gonzaga dos Santos Street, the journey begins, passing over a bridge over the Sangradouro River, to reach the beautiful Matadeiro beach. By the end of the beach, the walk has accumulated 1.3 km, and the trail actually begins. It's 4 km along stretches of coastline, with beautiful views, until you reach the northern tip of Lagoinha do Leste beach. Although it is quite exhausting due to the distance, the views along the way are very rewarding. Special care should be taken on the parts that pass close to the shore to avoid falls.
Once you reach the beach, you can choose whether to go straight back to Pântano do Sul or first pass by Morro da Coroa, using the Pântano trails described above.
Our favorite post-hike drink is a caldo de cana (sugar cane juice) with pastel (a fried dough filled with meat, shrimp or anything you want), and we always stop at Pico da Trilha, a place on the way down, as soon as we finish the trail in Pântano do Sul.
How to get there by boat.
During the summer season, the Pântano do Sul fishermen's cooperative runs a boat trip from Pântano do Sul beach. It is also possible to take the trail and return by boat. On the beach, some boatmen organize the return trip, but it is best to plan ahead by contacting those responsible for the crossing.
Infrastructure:
During the season, Floram (the Municipal Environment Foundation) puts out notices to allow the sale of drinks and the rental of chairs and umbrellas on the shore of Lagoinha do Leste beach. Out of season, this trade is forbidden and non-existent. Therefore, be aware of the time of year so that you don't run out of water during your day. It's also important to check that the vendor is authorized, as many illegal vendors are on the beach without caring about the sensitive environment. According to Floram's rules, authorized vendors have to make their permits available on site and are responsible, among other things, for picking up litter and taking care of the environment.
The Morro da Coroa (Crown Hill)
At the southern limit of Lagoinha do Leste Beach is Morro da Coroa. Looking from afar, you can clearly see the point that divides the rainforest from the rocky shore.
The rocks at the top of the hill are responsible for its name, as they are arranged in a way that resembles the tips of a crown.
The rock formation on the island of Santa Catarina is predominantly volcanic rock, granite, but the type and shape of the rocks on Morro da Coroa hint at a formation that originated from a volcanic explosion. As we're talking about a period around 500 million years ago, when the continents didn't have this shape, it doesn't mean that Morro da Coroa was a volcano, but rather that in the geography of that time indicates that there was one there.
The Lagoinha do Leste Municipal Natural Park
The Lagoinha do Leste Municipal Park was established in 1992 with the aim of safeguarding the natural landscape, fauna and flora and protecting the water source of the Lagoinha do Leste Hydrographic Basin. In 2018, through the Low 10387, was re-classified as the Lagoinha do Leste Municipal Natural Park, in accordance with the National System of Conservation Units (SNUC).
I - To guarantee conditions for the preservation and restoration of the diversity of natural ecosystems;
II - Contribute to the preservation of biological diversity and genetic, floristic and faunal resources;
III - Protect natural landscapes of outstanding scenic beauty;
IV - Promote the protection and recovery of degraded environments;
V - Provide means and incentives for scientific research activities, studies and environmental monitoring;
VI - Favor conditions and promote environmental education and interpretation, recreation in contact with nature and ecological tourism;
VII - Protect natural resources in compatibility with the traditional populations that live in their surroundings, respecting and valuing their knowledge, culture and promoting them socially and economically; and
VIII - Protect relevant geological, geomorphological, speleological, archaeological, paleontological and cultural features.
Much of the park's area was formerly used for agriculture and livestock farming, but after the decline of these activities at the beginning of the 20th century, the vegetation began to regenerate, and it is possible to see various stages of regeneration, up to secondary forest, mainly on the northern massif of the beach. There are also other ecosystems such as rocky shores, restinga and mangroves in the area of this conservation unit.
Image taken from the Phytogeographic Mapping of the Lagoinha do Leste Municipal Natural Park
In addition to the wonderful vegetation, with embaúbas, orchids, canjerana cedars and more, the fauna is very diverse, with kingfishers, caracara, coral snakes, skunks, graxains and even otters.
With its amazing scenic beauty, this paradise has to be preserved, so when you visit it, be aware.
Don't feed the animals, especially the marmosets, an exotic and invasive animal, which love to be petted, but end up proliferating and competing with the native species.
Don't pluck flowers and other plants.
Walk only on the marked trails and
Take your garbage back with you, there is no public garbage collection (if you've taken it in your backpack, it's your responsibility to bring it back and dispose of it properly).
The lagoon that gives the beach its name, makes contact with the sea at times, has its mouth in the northern corner of the beach. It is formed by streams that have its source in the hills which surround the beach and flow into the sea.
What to do in Lagoinha
In addition to the trails, many surfers go to Lagoinha do Leste beach in search of good waves. According to Surf Forecast, the best time to surf is in winter with a northeast wind.
There are still no camping regulations. According to the legislation, the areas and rules for camping should be defined in the management plan, but so far it has not been drawn up.
Watching the sunrise from the top of Morro da Coroa is also an incredible experience. We do the trail at dawn and arrive at the time of the spectacle to watch it from above.
Finally, another wonderful activity to do in Lagoinha do Leste is to enjoy the beach. In summer season there are lifeguards on site. So the soft sand and clean sea are an invitation to sit back and just enjoy.
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