Bombinhas - Santa Catarina

Bombinhas is a small town in the northern part of Santa Catarina State, which recently became a self-governed municipality, and has turned into a tour icon of this state’s coast.



It has over 18 beaches, some of which are still desert, only accessed through the sea, and which provide relaxing bathing and boat rides, as well as the opportunity to practice several water sports. At a privileged location and with a notable infrastructure for both ecological tourism and submarine tourism, Bombinhas has consolidated itself as one of the most sought-after diving place in the south region of Brazil.

Its innumerous local agencies promote daily trips that take visitors to practice diving in the main places of the regions, such as Arvoredo Marine Biological Reserve, Galés Island and Desert Island, always with comfort and safety.

The city also has a large variety of food options and exciting night life.

Attractions
Arvoredo Marine Biological Reserve
This national ecological patrimony is composed of Desert Island and Arvoredo, Galé, Calhau de São Pedro and Pedra Nocetti Islands, which all together correspond to 17,800 hectares of indescribable beauty. As an archeological, historical and ecological place, the Reserve is an important center of scientific studies on marine fauna and flora, as well as a natural habitat for several migratory bird species. It’s also considered one of the best areas to practice ecological diving in Brazil, due to its varied sea life biodiversity.

Morro do Macaco Municipal Park
It is in Canto Grande District, at about 153 meters in altitude, accessed through a well-preserved panoramic track, which is a little steep. From the top of the hill, it is possible to see the Arvoredo archipelago and the beautiful Mariscal and Zimbros bays. The Park includes Macuco Island, with its calm waters, frequently visited by amateur fishermen and divers.

The hill is the home of one of the most famous and beautiful Brazilian orchids, Laelia purpurata, which was elected the symbol of Santa Catarina State. Due to its favorable thermal currents, it is a perfect place to practice gliding and paragliding, combining adventure and fantastic view, which is even more beautiful at sunrise and sunset.

Eco 360º Overlook
Located at the access to Tainha Beach, it provides a wonderful panoramic view of the city. The visitor can drive to this place through Canto Grande and Conceição Beaches, which requires exclusive attention on rainy days.

Galheta Municipal Park
This is an important area remaining from the Atlantic Woods, with rich biodiversity and fantastic view. It’s a reference point for Bombas District.

Diving at Arvoredo Island
It’s considered one of the best places to practice diving in the south region of the country. The access is controlled by IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources), as it is part of Arvoredo Marine Biological Reserve. It is not allowed to get to the Island or collect any object.

The trip to the diving area takes about 2 hours, and it is subject to canceling or postponing, depending on the wind and sea conditions. It offers activities to registered divers and for beginners too, who make their “submarine baptism” diving, one’s first sea scuba diving, with the help of instructors.

Beaches
Quatro Ilhas (Four Islands)
This beach, whose formation is in constant change, is visited by those who like to swim and chat at the bars in front of the sea. It has restaurants and bars of several types. On the left side there is a camping area that is open only in summer, which happens with almost all of them in the region. From this beach, the visitor can see the four islands that named this beach: Galés, Deserta, Macuco and Arvoredo, and that are part of the Arvoredo Marine Biological Reserve.

Bombinhas
It’s the most exciting beach of the city, with calm and transparent water, ideal for bathing. Along its extension of almost one thousand meters, it is still possible to find very fine white quartz sand residues, which produce the noise of “firecrackers” when in contact with the feet. People who live there say the name of the city (Firecrackers, in English) came from this fact. There are also several types of bars, restaurants and guest houses in front of this beach, for all kinds of taste and price range. The visitor can’t miss the Engenho Village, a living museum of Azores culture, where the visitor can see a sugar cane mill operating and producing molasses and another mill producing the best cassava flour of Brazil.

Ponta do Zarling, at the hillside of this beach that is a small bay with transparent water, offers a very beautiful overlook to visitors coming either through the road, sea or air. It is possible to take boat rides and practice diving at this place.

Bombas
This is the beach mostly visited by families. It has good hotels and restaurants. Its 2km extension of clean sand and unpolluted water offers the necessary structure to enjoy perfect vacations. There are several restaurants in front of the sea, an attraction to tourists. It’s mainly occupied by resorts nearby. It’s the first beach the visitors see when they arrive at the city via Porto Belo, and they can start admiring the city’s fantastic landscapes there.

Ribeiro
It’s between Bombas and Bombinhas Beaches and a little longer than 200 meters. It’s perfect for those looking for a calm sea or sun bathing. This beach can be accessed from Bombas and Bombinhas hillside, or through an unpaved road from the main avenue.

Trapiche
It’s the nautical center of Bombinhas, from where several tour boats and diving instructors leave.

Lagoinha
A calm beach, perfect for those who want to start learning how to dive. It has also a fast meal restaurant, which makes the leisure day complete.

Ingleses
It is 100 meters long, and has a camping area with tents and a restaurant. The access for cars and pedestrians are through the hillside, straight from Bombinhas Beach. It’s a good place to practice scuba diving and sport fishing.

Atalaia
This beach with the extension of well-preserved 150 meters, is between Quatro Ilhas Hill and Mariscal Beach. It is usually the destination of people strolling along Mariscal. It has one guest house and a camping area.

Mariscal
Its 4km extension is ideal for bathing and strolling, mostly visited by surfers and baitcasting fishermen. There are good hotels and guest houses at Mariscal.

Conceição
It is separated from Mar de Fora Beach by a small island at its side, and offers a proper place for private boats of people that go fishing or want to practice leisure activities. This is a leisure area of the community, with natural pool and hillsides to practice diving.

Canto Grande
The small Canto Grande Village, on an isthmus in Bombinhas, is doubtless one of the places on the Brazilian coast for those who are looking for calm and peace. This small village, with about 800 inhabitants, is occupied by mainly fishermen, shellfishermen and their descendants, who are proud of being called as “native”. Many of them still keep the traditions from their ancestors, such as Boi-de-Mamão, Terno-de-Reis, Farra-do-Boi and the skilled manual fishing, providing the visitors and tourists the pleasure of eating fresh shrimps or anchovies.

The central part of the Village is at the base of Macaco Hill. The view from the top of this hill is splendid: Mariscal and Quatro Ilhas Beaches to the North, the islands of the Arvoredo Marine Biological Reserve (Galé, Arvoredo and Deserta) to the East; Zimbros Bay to the West and Santa Catarina Island to the South. A hike through Tainha track, at Zimbros Bay edge, is another excellent leisure option for those who can’t get enough with its idyllic beaches only: Mar de Dentro, Mar de Fora and Conceição.

Mar de Dentro and Mar de Fora
Mar de Fora Beach, at the eastern part of Canto Village, is perfect for people who like rough waters, with appropriate waves to practice surf and swimming with the waves. It’s considered the purest and cleanest beach of the region, due to its clear water; being mostly visited by baitcasting fishermen. In July and August, it is the refuge of whales migrating from the Antarctic, which provide a picturesque show. Its clean sand mixes with that of Mariscal Beach, creating the ideal scenery for healthy strolls.

Shopping
Handicrafted Ceramic Products
Masks, incense stick holders, wall panels and other pieces. Schedule your visit. Estrada Geral do Alto Perequê, in Santa Luzia District.

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