Introduction: Lagoinda do Leste
Lagoinha do Leste Beach (also call “Praia da Lagoinha do Leste”), located in Florianopolis, is a secluded beach accessible only on foot through hiking. By secluded, we really mean secluded as the only way to reach it is on foot not many people bother to reach it and that’s a mistake.
For us, we did this as a day trip. We left our hostel at 9am and returned at 7pm (to catch a bus to Pelotas).
Here was our scheduled:
- 9am: departure from the hostel
- 11am: arrival at Matadeiro beach
- 1pm: arrival at lagoinda do Leste
- 3pm: hike to viewpoint
- 4:15pm: back at the beach
- 4:25pm: Hike to Pantano do Sul
- 5:30pm: bus back
- 7pm: arrival in town
Table of Contents
Where to Stay in Florianópolis
One of the first thing we dod when we travel somewhere is to look for accommodations, here are our recommendations
- (€) Bewiki
- (€€) Costa Solar Lagoa
- (€€€) Pousada Paty´s Garden
Reaching Lagoinda do Leste
There are two trek that allow you to reach the beach. One from Matadeiro beach and one from Pantano do sul. We will explain both trails later on.
For this article, we will use Matadeiro beach as our starting point. And Pantano do sul at the end point. This is the way we did it and we believe it to be the best.
In any case, to reach either of the trek you will either have to take a bus or ride an Uber. The esiest and cheapest will here be the bus as Uber on Florianópolis island are not the best options and drivers will not want to ride you there.
The bus journey takes a good 1h30 to 2h and start at the bus terminal TILAG if you stay in Lagoa da Conceição). From there take the bus 841/843 to Tirio (around 42 stops) and change for the 563 to Costa de Dentro or 564 to Pantano do sul.
You can’t miss TIRIO as it is a bus terminal and not a simple stop. Once on the bus you can ask the bus conductor in the bus where is Ponto Da Igreja or Matadeiro beach and he will let you know where to get off. At this bus stop there will a church and the bus will do turn over to return.
That’s gonna be the same way back to town once you finish the trail
Trail from Matadeiro beach
The trail starts by crossing the beautiful and famous Matadeiro beach. At the beginning of the beach there is a small path behind it but to reach the entrance of the trail you must walk through the sand and the people chilling there.
This trail duration is around 2h and has a medium/hard level. It brings you through jungle and forest but also small mountain path and costal one. The path goes up and down, and down and up and so on for 2h and the path you walk on is mainly made of rocks. It is a real rocky road where you will need to be careful.
We recommend starting with this trail as it is a gorgeous one and the landscape you will encounter are all amazing and worth it.
Trail to Pantano do Sul
This trail duration is 1h and has an easy level. It only crosses the jungle and doesn’t have much to offer apart of an exist/entry to a secluded beach. The road is maintained and even though it stays a forest path it is manmade and compose of stairs up and down. The though part of the trail would only be stairs up and stairs down and the fact that you already have the while day behind you.
Viewpoint in Lagoinda do Leste
That was something crazy for us. The view was just breath-taking, and pictures will tell more than word about it.
But, yes there is a but… To access this site, it is a one way up and the same way down. It takes around 30min one way but the though part is that some part of the path are really dangerous. And while going up is hard going down is dangerous and if you easily slip and fall.
The beach
The beach is just awesome there and offer you two type of waters. On one side the ocean with its cold water and waves and on the other a calm and warmer water of the lagoon. It is up to you to decide with one you gonna enjoy.
There are a few cabins along the beach that offer drinks and food but nothing really worth trying. They also rent sun umbrella if you fancy one.
Returning by boat
If you are tired and don’t want to trail no more, you have the option to take a boat. Located near the viewpoint and the Pantona do Sul trail, it will cost you 35 BRL (one person) and will bring you to Pantano do Sul.
What to bring
- 3 to 4 litres of water
- 50+ Sun cream for face
- 30 sun cream for the body
- Sandwiches for lunch
- Snacks (peanuts, crackers)
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” – Helen Keller
1 thought on “The Ultimate Lagoinda do Leste 1-day Hiking Guide – Florianópolis”
very interesting, thanks😄