Praia do Rosa is a crescent-shaped beach located in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, about 90 km south of Florianópolis. It's part of the municipality of Imbituba and is well-known among surfers and nature enthusiasts for its consistent waves and proximity to protected ecological areas like the Serra do Tabuleiro State Park. One lesser-known fact is that between … [Read more...]
Fortaleza de São José da Ponta Grossa, Praia Forte, Jurerê
We arrived in Jurerê in the early afternoon, after winding through the north of Santa Catarina island on our scooter, with stops at Santo Antônio and Daniela already behind us. The clouds hung low but dry, casting a soft light over the coast as we parked near the trail to Fortaleza de São José da Ponta Grossa. Built between 1740 and 1744 by order of Brigadier José da … [Read more...]
Praia da Daniela: Calm Waters and Quiet Charm in North Florianópolis
After leaving the quiet streets of Santo Antônio, we followed the road north on our scooter and soon reached Praia da Daniela, a peaceful curve of sand tucked into a peninsula at the northwest tip of the island. The beach stretches for about 2 kilometers, framed by low dunes and calm, glassy water that laps at the shore with barely a whisper. Across the bay, the mainland … [Read more...]
Praia da Armação and Matadeiro: Scenic Beaches in Florianópolis
Praia da Armação sits on the southeastern coast of Florianópolis, a long, breezy stretch of fine sand—about 3 km in length—facing the wide-open Atlantic. We passed through it during one of our scooter trips around the island, and like most places on the coast, it had that slightly contradictory Florianópolis vibe: equal parts wild and lived-in. Behind the beach lies … [Read more...]
Praia do Forno Hike, Arraial do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro
Praia do Forno, located in Arraial do Cabo, Brazil, is a secluded beach known for its crystal-clear waters, soft white sand, and lush green hills. Accessible by a short hiking trail or boat ride, this beach offers a more tranquil atmosphere compared to the busier shores nearby. Its calm, turquoise waters are perfect for snorkeling, revealing a vibrant underwater world of fish … [Read more...]
Rio das Ostras & Costa Azul: Underrated Beach Gems Near Rio
After landing in Rio de Janeiro in early 2025—and before returning a month and a half later to experience its legendary Carnival—we sought out nearby beach destinations to pass the time. For now, we set aside the more popular (and pricier) seaside getaways like Cabo Frio, Armação dos Búzios, and Arraial do Cabo. Instead, we stumbled upon the overlooked town of Rio das Ostras … [Read more...]
Swimming & Snorkeling in Blue Bay, Mauritius
With its impressive palette of blues, ranging from deep cerulean to bright turquoise, Blue Bay is one of the most popular attractions on the island of Mauritius. Designated as a protected marine park, its extensive reef hosts over 50 species of coral and a wide range of tropical fish, sea turtles, and other marine creatures. While we stayed in the nearby city of Mahebourg for … [Read more...]
Mont Choisy Beach, Mauritius on a Sunday
Mont Choisy Beach, situated on the island’s north coast, 5 km from Grand Baie and 20 km from Port Louis, is the longest and one of the most popular beaches in Mauritius. It is relatively undeveloped compared to other popular Mauritian beaches. Resorts are found only to its north and south, while the entire beachfront is bordered by broad untouched woodland. Besides its natural … [Read more...]
A Day Trip to Grand Baie, Mauritius
Grand Baie (or Grand Bay) is an upscale resort village on the north coast of Mauritius, 25 km from Port Louis. Besides its high-end tourism, Grand Baie is renowned for its stunning coastal scenery and, above all, its vibrant nightlife. Since we aren’t quite rich, we didn’t consider spending a single night there. Instead, we settled in Mahébourg, in the cheaper south, for our … [Read more...]
Balaclava Marine Park (Turtle Bay) Snorkeling Trip in Mauritius
As we were settled in Mahebourg, Blue Bay was our standard snorkeling spot during our two months in Mauritius. Looking into alternatives for variety, we kept hearing about Balaclava Marine Park, aka Turtle Bay. Established in 1997, this is the first and still one of few national marine reserves in Mauritius. Its warm, sheltered waters harbor as many as 200 coral species and … [Read more...]
