Canto Grande

What to expect at Canto Grande

Canto Grande has a rare quirk: on one narrow strip of land you get the Mar de Fora, open and with waves, and the Mar de Dentro, calm, shallow and sheltered. You can literally cross from one side to the other and swap the kind of beach you're on to suit the day.

The Mar de Dentro is one of the best options in town for families with small children: shallow water for many meters, almost no waves, with fishing boats at anchor setting the scene. The Mar de Fora, on the other side, draws those after waves, a walk and an open horizon.

The area keeps a fishing-village feel that has been lost in the more touristy parts of town. This is a quieter Bombinhas, at a slower pace — and one of the places where the gap between high and low season is gentlest.

Mar de Dentro is also one of the loveliest places in town to watch the sunset: calm water, small fishing boats and hills all around, in a pastoral setting. The beach is sheltered and full of boats, with a jetty at the left-hand end. Small wonder that Viagem & Turismo magazine once named it among the ten best beaches in Brazil to take children to.

On the other side, Mar de Fora carries on from Praia de Mariscal and is one of the longest beaches in Bombinhas, with almost 4 kilometres of sand. It draws families and anyone after room for sport and leisure, and it has lifeguards, kiosks, bars, restaurants and places to stay along the shore.

Around it, the Canto Grande neighbourhood brings together two things that rarely go hand in hand: the well-developed Mar de Dentro seafront, with places to stay, bars and restaurants, and fishing-village life still going on out on the water. If you're thinking about property, it's the address for calm water for the kids at one end of the street and open ocean at the other — and a neighbourhood rhythm that doesn't depend on the season.

Mar de Dentro for children

Shallow, calm water over a long stretch — almost a natural pool.

A working fishing village

Boats at anchor, nets, and a rhythm tourism hasn't changed.

Two seas, one peninsula

Waves on one side, still water on the other — a few minutes' walk apart.

Tips from people who live here

• With small children, head straight for the Mar de Dentro.

• It's worth buying fresh fish straight from the fishermen late in the morning.

• A good base if you want quiet and don't mind driving into the center.

• Late afternoon belongs to Mar de Dentro: sunset with the fishing boats and the hills all around.

• Fancy a long walk? Mar de Fora runs straight into Mariscal — kilometres of sand without a break.

Getting to Canto Grande

The route to the sand as it actually works — including the part you do on foot.

Via the BR-101, Porto Belo exit

The turn-off for Bombinhas is at km 155 of the BR-101, at the Porto Belo interchange. From there it's about 14 km to town on the SC-412 state road.

By air: Navegantes or Florianópolis

The nearest airport is Navegantes, about 67 km away. Florianópolis, the state capital, is around 70 km. From either one the route is the same: the BR-101 to the Porto Belo exit.

Mar de Fora: where Mariscal carries on

Mar de Fora is the same strip of sand as Praia de Mariscal, continuing further along. If you're at Mariscal, you can walk there along the beach.

Mar de Dentro: look for the jetty

On the other side of the narrow strip of land is Mar de Dentro, with calm water. The jetty at the left-hand end of the beach is the landmark — that's where the fishing boats gather.

The beach rules

The official code of conduct for Canto Grande. Worth reading before you pack — a few of the bans catch people out.

Allowed

• Sports on the sand after 6 pm

• Launching and landing water-sports gear between 7 pm and 9 am, at the designated spot

Not allowed

• Pets

• Camping, bonfires and barbecues

• Speakers and loud music

• Reserving space on the sand

• Handing out flyers

• Motorboats within 200 m of the beach

Source: Bombinhas city hall