AT A GLANCE
Why go?
Barra Velha is a laid-back resort town and county seat on the northern coast of Santa Catarina, set along more than 20 km of Atlantic shoreline between the Rio Itapocu and the busier beach hubs to the south. Colonized by Azorean settlers and once a whaling port, it keeps a fishing-town soul while offering a relaxed alternative to its flashier neighbors — a string of beaches, a calm lagoon running parallel to the sea, and rocky headlands where local legend meets the waves.↗↗
What makes Barra Velha distinctive is contrast. The Central beach carries the main amenities, while Tabuleiro and Praia do Sol draw surfers; the quiet Lagoa de Barra Velha invites paddle sports and fishing, and the rare Costão das Pedras Brancas e Negras splits white and black rock into a single dramatic cliff. Add panoramic viewpoints, monuments to the sea, and a suspension bridge over the lagoon, and a short stay can mix sun, sport, scenery and a little history.↗↗
A coastline of many moods
The heart of Barra Velha is its beachfront, or orla, where a variety of sands and surf suit very different plans. The Praia Central has the fullest infrastructure and is the natural base for families and first-time visitors, while the waters of Tabuleiro and Praia do Sol (also called Pedras Negras) are the town's favorites among surfers. Further along, Praia do Grant was once a refuge for pirates and today hosts the Estátua do Pescador, a bronze tribute to the fishermen of the Itajuba quarter. At the Península end, organized surf-casting fishing competitions draw enthusiasts to the sand.