Bombinhas, Santa Catarina Information

Bombinhas is a small seaside municipality in the northern coast of the state of Santa Catarina featuring over 18 beaches some of which are still deserted and can only be reached by sea. The region provides a relaxing atmosphere for bathing, sailing and the practice of other water sports. Located in a paradisiacal region and offering excellent infrastructure for both ecological tourism and diving, Bombinhas has consolidated itself as one of the most sought-after diving spots in the south of Brazil. Such spots include the Arvoredo Marine Biological Reserve, Galés Island and Deserta Island.

The climate in the Bombinhas region is humid and temperate, the average annual temperature being around 18ºC, with annual highs of 24ºC and annual lows of 12ºC.

Facts

Bombinhas
State: Santa Catarina, Brazil
Region: South
Population: approx. 10,000
Telephone Area Code: (47)

Distance chart
Porto Belo: 9 km
Camboriú: 41 km
Itajaí: 52 km
Florianópolis: 79 km
Blumenau: 89 km
Curitiba: 261 km
São Paulo: 663 km
Rio de Janeiro: 1,021 km

Coordinates:

Latitude: 27º07'54" south / Longitude: 48º31'40" west / Altitude: 32 m above sea level

Total area: 36.6 sq.km, which turns Bombinhas into the smallest municipality in the state of Santa Catarina

Accommodation / Restaurants

The city is well prepared to receive a large number of visitors, with several accommodation options as well as good restaurants, bars and all necessary infrastructure. Visitors can choose from simple guest houses to the most sophisticated hotels or rent a property on a short lease contract.

Holiday lets are becoming increasingly sought-after with property owners earning good money from rental especially in summer.

How to get there

By road: from Florianópolis, take the BR-101 Motorway to the access to Porto Belo, then drive on SC 412 road for 15 km to Bombinhas.

By air: Navegantes Airport is 56 km from Bombinhas, with domestic flights offered by the main Brazilian airlines; or Florianópolis Airport, which is 79 km from Bombinhas, with domestic and international flights.

By sea: the ports of Itajaí and Porto Belo, where cargo and cruise ships anchor, receive  those visiting the town.

Attractions

Arvoredo Marine Biological Reserve
This national ecological patrimony is formed by the Deserta, Arvoredo, Galé, Calhau de São Pedro and Pedra Nocetti Islands, with 17,800 hectares of indescribable beauty. As an archaeological, historical and ecological place, the Arvoredo Marine Biological Reserve is an important centre for scientific studies on marine fauna and flora, as well as a natural habitat for several migratory bird species. It is also considered to be one of the best areas to practice diving in Brazil, due to its sea life biodiversity.

Morro do Macaco Municipal Park
This park is located in the Canto Grande District, at an altitude of approximately 153 m and may be reached through a well-preserved panoramic track. 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, the Laelia purpurata, which has been elected the symbol of Santa Catarina. Due to its favourable thermal currents, Morro do Macaco is a perfect place to practice gliding and paragliding, combining adventure and fantastic views, which become even more beautiful at sunrise and sunset.

Eco 360º Viewpoint
Located at the access to Tainha Beach, it provides a wonderful panoramic view of the city. The visitor can drive to this viewpoint through Canto Grande and Conceição beaches.

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

Diving at Arvoredo Island
Arvoredo Island is considered to be one of the best places to practise diving in the south of Brazil. Access is controlled by IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources), as it is part of the Arvoredo Marine Biological Reserve.

Trip to the diving area take about 2 hours, and are subject to cancellations or postponing, depending on the wind and sea conditions. The island offers activities to registered divers as well as beginners with the help of qualified instructors.

Beaches

Bombinhas
It is the most exciting beach in the region. One kilometre long, with calm and transparent waters, Bombinhas is ideal for bathing, swimming and practising water sports. One of the attractions here is the very fine white quartz sand residue, which produces the noise of “firecrackers” when in contact with the feet. People who live here say the name of the region (Bombinhas = Firecrackers, in English) derives from this fact. In Bombinhas, visitors will find several types of seafront bars, restaurants and guest houses for all kinds of tastes and with a wide price range. Visitors should not miss the Engenho Village, a living museum of Azorean culture, where they can see a sugar cane mill operating and producing molasses as well as another mill producing the best manioc flour in Brazil.

Ponta do Zarling, a small bay with clear waters, offers a very beautiful viewpoint. Boat rides and diving are available here.

Quatro Ilhas (Four Islands)
This beach, whose formation is in constant change, is visited by those who like to swim and meet friends at the bars on the seafront. It has several types of restaurants and bars. From this beach, visitors can see the four islands that are the reason for its name: Galés, Deserta, Macuco and Arvoredo, which are part of the Arvoredo Marine Biological Reserve.

Besides being an ecological paradise, Quatro Ilhas is internationally known as an excellent surfing spot.

Bombas
This beach is mostly visited by families. It has good hotels and restaurants. Its 2 km of clean sand and unpolluted water ensure enjoyable holidays. There are several restaurants on the seafront. With many resorts nearby, Bombas is the first beach visitors spot when they arrive in the region via Porto Belo.

Ribeiro
Located between Bombas and Bombinhas and a little longer than 200 metres, Praia do Ribeiro is the perfect place for those looking for calm seas and a quiet spot to sun-bathe. This beach can be accessed either from Bombas and Bombinhase or via a dirt road stretching from the main avenue.

Trapiche
This is the nautical centre of Bombinhas from where several tour boats and diving groups leave on their daily activities.

Lagoinha is a calm beach, perfect for those who wish to start learning how to dive. It has a fast meal restaurant.

Ingleses
This beach is a 100-metre long stretch of sand with a camping site providing tents and a restaurant. Both cars and pedestrians may reach this beach by the hillside, straight from Bombinhas Beach. Ingleses is a good place to practice scooba diving and shore fishing.

Atalaia
This well-preserved beach located between Quatro Ilhas Hill and Mariscal Beach is often the destination of people strolling along Mariscal. It features one guest house and a camping site.

Mariscal
This beautiful 4 km long beach is ideal for bathing and walking. It is mostly visited by surfers and fishermen. There are good hotels and guest houses in Mariscal and properties for short-term holiday lets are in great demand there.

Just as Quatro Ilhas, Mariscal is very sought-after by surfers because of its perfect, constant series of waves rolling in. Crystal-clear waters, white sand and the exuberant green on the hills around Mariscal are a combination which should not be missed.

Praia do Canto Grande

Praia do Canto Grande is the longest beach in the Bombinhas region. Its calm sea and clean sand make it ideal for children and the practice of water sports such as windsurfing, jet-skiing and sailing. The bars and restaurants along Canto Grande serve famous local dishes and snacks right upon the sand.

Canto Grande Village
The small Canto Grande Village, on an isthmus is an ideal place for those looking for peace and quiet. Most of its estimated 800 inhabitants are fishermen, shell fishermen and their descendants, who are proud of being called “natives”. Many of them still keep their ancestors' traditions such as Boi-de-Mamão, Terno-de-Reis and skilled artisanal fishing, and give visitors and tourists the pleasure of eating fresh shrimps or anchovies.

The central part of the village is at the base of Morro do Macaco hill. The view from the top of this hill is splendid: Mariscal and Quatro Ilhas beaches to the North, the islands in 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 the Tainha track, on the edge of Zimbros Bay, is another excellent leisure option for those who cannot get enough of the idyllic beaches of Mar de Dentro, Mar de Fora and Conceição.

Mar de Fora and Mar de Dentro

Mar de Fora and Mar de Dentro are at each side of the Canto Grande isthmus.
Mar de Fora Beach, the eastern side of Canto Grande's narrow strip of land, is perfect for those who like rough seas and good waves for surfing. It is considered to be the cleanest beach in the region. It is mostly visited by those practising shore fishing. In July and August, it is the shelter of whales migrating from the Antarctic, providing a unforgettable show.

Mar de Dentro Beach, the eastern side of Canto Grande, is located beside the Zimbros cove. It is a calm sea bay, ideal for children and the practice of water sports such as windsurfing, and jet-skiing.
Here, a seafood breeders' co-operative society prepares its product for export.

Conceição

It is separated from Mar de Fora beach by a small island and offers an ideal place for the private boats of those who go fishing or want to practice leisure activities. It is a leisure area for the community, with natural pools to practice diving.

Tainha

This small beach with hills at each end features very clean, calm waters. It is ideal for bathing and snorkelling.

Zimbros

The name 'Zimbros' derives from an aromatic, medicinal plant easily available in this region. Today, 'zimbro' seeds are used in the production of gin.

This two-kilometre long beach can be easily reached through a fully paved road. It is a picturesque place with calm and clear waters, suitable for children and the practice of water sports such as windsurfing, jet-skiing and sailing. Typical fishing boats may be found at this beach which is seen as a safe harbour for vessels. Its Atlantic Forest-covered coast includes the deserted beaches of Lagoa, Cardoso, Vermelha and Triste, known to those who are into long treks along the paths that go across the woods.

Zimbros has full infrastructure with all sorts of shops, restaurants and guest houses.