Praia Mole

Beach · Florianópolis east coast

Pale sand between rocks and green hills, surf waves and queer beach life: Praia Mole is one of the best-known gay beaches in Brazil. The scene meets on the stretch around the Bar do Deca at the northern end.

• Surf spot
• Bar do Deca at the northern end
• Lifeguards
• Path to Praia da Galheta

Location

Rodovia Jornalista Manoel de Menezes (SC-406)
88061-701 Florianópolis (SC), east coast of the island, around 15 km from the centre

Entry

free

Facilities

a few beach bars, lifeguard station, parking along the road

Crowd

mixed, mostly queer at the northern end: gay men of all ages, surfers, locals and tourists from all over Brazil

Flirt factor

medium to high, around the Bar do Deca at weekends

Best time

December to March and Carnival; arrive early at weekends

What makes Praia Mole stand out

Praia Mole is just under a kilometre long and lies between the Lagoa da Conceição and Barra da Lagoa. Its waves are among the best in Brazil, and international surf competitions have been held here. The beach is barely developed, with just a few bars in the sand.

The queer section is around the Bar do Deca at the northern end. From there a path leads over the rocks to the unspoilt Praia da Galheta, a protected area where nudity is allowed.

Atmosphere and crowd

During the day, mainly gay men and queer groups of friends meet in front of the Bar do Deca, alongside surfers and local families. On Sundays the section turns into a beach party with DJs. It’s especially busy in summer and during Carnival, when Florianópolis draws visitors from all over Brazil and Argentina.

Editorially researched, as of October 2026. Sources: bardodeca.com.br, Google Maps, on-site information from the Bar do Deca. Access and use may change, please check before visiting.