Praia do Rosa

Rosa is a deep horseshoe of sand between two headlands, with a lagoon behind it and hills of Atlantic forest around, and it works as two different destinations depending on the season. Between roughly June and November southern right whales come into the shallow bays along this stretch of Santa Catarina to calve, and they come close - females with calves are regularly watched from the clifftops without a boat, and the Right Whale Environmental Protection Area covers the coast. In summer it is a surf and beach village with a reputation for expensive pousadas and a certain kind of Sao Paulo visitor. The Ibiraquera lagoon nearby is used for kitesurfing and stand-up paddling.

The main sights

• Southern right whales calving - close inshore from about June to November.
• Watching from the cliffs - the headlands giving views without a boat.
• A horseshoe bay - sand between two headlands with a lagoon behind.
• The Ibiraquera lagoon - flat water for kiting and paddling nearby.

When to go

June to November for whales; December to March for the beach. Three days.

Things to know

The whale season and the beach season barely overlap - decide which trip you are taking. Winter is cold and windy on the cliffs. Pousadas are expensive for what they offer and book out. Access roads to the beach are unpaved and steep.

Nearby

Imbituba is north; Laguna and the dolphin fishery are south.

Key facts