Florianopolis - Docking

NOTE: Beware of the bridge heights marked on the charts. The lower of the two bridges linking the island to the mainland town of Sao Jose has a clearance of less than 17m.

Yacht Club

The yacht club ( ICSC-Veleiros da Ilha) is approximately 1.6 kms (one mile) south of the bridges, on the island side. Anchor in front of the club, or pick up one of their moorings, and land at their dock.

Anchorages / Moorings

If you can get under the bridge there is an anchorage with free moorings off the seafront on the island side soon after passing north under the old suspension bridge.  Apparently, the moorings were laid by the ICSC in 2014 for a racing event.  This is a better place to be in southerlies than off the yacht club.

The ICSC also has a base near the northern end of the island at Praia de Jurere. There is no option to moor at the end of jetty here, other than perhaps short term.  There's a large field of mooring buoys. On arrival, you will likely be approached by a club boat asking if you want a mooring.

Yachts can also anchor closer to the main beach at Jurere and dinghy ashore.  This is a good spot for strong southerlies, good holding in thick mud.

The beach of Jurere is covered in resorts which can be crowded, but there are some undeveloped islands and nice anchorages close by. Protection from winds can be found in various anchorages in the north part of the canal.

There is also a small marina at Santo Antonio de Lisboa, where many locals keep their sailing boats on moorings. The owner (Mr. Cid) doesn't speak English but is friendly and helpful.  Anchor here in about 3 meters in soft mud.  It gets uncomfortable and untenable in strong southerlies when you should go to Jurere.

Also off the north of the channel is the bay of Enseada de Ganchos which has several anchorages and a small jetty belonging to the Iate Clube de Caioba who also have several mooring buoys there. The bays provide good shelter from the south and east but are open to the north.  They are quite busy with fishing boat activity and shellfish farming buoys line the sides of the bays.

Shore services

Floripa is a modern city with shops, restaurants, and services to suit all tastes.  Transport options are also good: local and long-distance bus services are efficient and reasonably priced.  Taxis and hire cars are also affordable.  Santa Caterina has a good road infrastructure and it's well worth exploring inland.

Last updated:  January 2018