Praia de Bombas

What to expect at Praia de Bombas

Bombas is the first beach you see as you arrive in town, and one of the longest on the peninsula: about 2 kilometres of sand. That's why it used to be called Praia Grande, the big beach. Unlike the small coves tucked between headlands, here there's room to spare: you can walk a good distance, play football, run along the shoreline and still find a quiet corner.

Its current name comes from the sea — from the sound of the breaking waves, according to the town council. Most of the time the water is crystal clear and calm, with waves small enough for the kids to have fun without the punch of the open-ocean beaches. The exception is the left-hand headland: on some days the waves build up enough to surf there, and that's the stretch where swimmers need to take more care.

The whole length of the beach has a promenade, signposted and lit — you can walk, run or cycle in comfort, even after dark. Bombas is also one of the most accessible beaches in town: there are accessible walkways all along the shore, and on Rua Tico-tico, near the lifeguard post, you'll find the accessible toilet and parking bays reserved for older and disabled visitors.

Behind the summer bustle, Bombas is still a stronghold of artisanal fishing. The fishing sheds dotted along the sand house century-old dugout canoes, carved from a single trunk, which go back to sea from May to July for the traditional mullet-fishing season. It's a reminder that, long before it was a beach destination, this was a fishing village.

The promenade is also where the Passarela do Ribeiro begins: an 800-metre boardwalk along the edge of the forest, with lighting and benches along the way. It passes the small Praia do Ribeiro and ends at Praia de Bombinhas, in Centro — a route that used to be a trail you could only take at the right tide. It's the nicest way to get from one neighbourhood to the other on foot.

Around the beach is the Bombas neighbourhood, the first one you reach coming into town and one of those with the most shops and services. It isn't just seasonal infrastructure: the town's 24-hour urgent care unit (UPA 24h) is in the neighbourhood itself, and the council has opened a new primary health clinic there. If you're thinking about property, it's the mix of a long, calm beach and real neighbourhood life — the kind of place where you can live all year, not just spend the summer.

A wide stretch of sand

About 2 km of beach: room to spare for walking, running and playing — even in high season.

Sunset from the waterfront

One of the finest ends of day in town, with the sun dropping behind the hills.

Alive all year

An established neighbourhood, with shops, services and 24-hour urgent care that don't depend on the season.

Tips from people who live here

• A good place to stay: close to everything and usually quieter than the center.

• The promenade is lit from end to end — great for a walk or a bike ride in the late afternoon.

• If you want a property to live in year-round, it's one of the best-served neighborhoods.

• Walk to Praia de Bombinhas along the Passarela do Ribeiro: 800 metres of boardwalk at the edge of the forest.

• Near the left-hand headland, on days with waves, swim in the middle of the beach instead and follow the lifeguards' flags.

Getting to Praia de Bombas

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 — and Bombas is the first beach you come to.

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.

Accessibility on Rua Tico-tico

On Rua Tico-tico, near the lifeguard post, are the accessible toilet and the parking bays reserved for older and disabled visitors. From there, accessible walkways run the whole length of the beach.

On foot from Centro

If you're staying in Centro, come along the Passarela do Ribeiro: an 800-metre boardwalk with lighting and benches that starts at Praia de Bombinhas, passes Praia do Ribeiro and ends on the Bombas promenade.

The beach rules

The official code of conduct for Praia de Bombas. 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

• Gazebos, tents and reserving space on the sand

• Handing out flyers

• Motorboats within 200 m of the beach

Source: Bombinhas city hall