From the deck, the bay of Porto Belo appears as a deep green inlet between hills covered in Atlantic Forest. The ship drops anchor offshore and tenders drop passengers in the heart of a seaside village in the state of Santa Catarina, about sixty kilometres south of Florianópolis. Here, there is no monumental terminal or flashy waterfront: a jetty, fishing boats and the smell of the sea are enough to set the tone for the day.

The village and its seafront

Ashore, everything is on a human scale. The waterfront avenue runs along a strip of sand lined with almond trees, with its juice kiosks, seafood restaurants and craft shops where you will find wood carvings, jewellery and ceramics by local artisans. A free shuttle generally links the landing point to the centre, and a guided bus tour circles the surrounding area. Like almost all of this Santa Catarina coastline, the village bears the imprint of Azorean families who settled here in the 18th century: you see it in the devotion of the chapels, in the nets mended on the docks and in the fishing boats pulled up on the shore. Wandering between the church, the shops and the fishermen's stalls pleasantly fills the first hour, the time it takes to get a feel for the place.

Bombas and Bombinhas, the emerald neighbours

The area's reputation rests above all on the neighbouring Bombinhas peninsula, reached by taxi or on an excursion in about twenty minutes. The coves of Bombas and Bombinhas unfold pale sand facing translucent waters, among the most renowned on the Brazilian coast for snorkelling. Smaller coves, such as Quatro Ilhas or Mariscal, attract surfers and hikers. In high season, traffic can slow the round trip: it is best to leave early and keep a comfortable margin before the last tender.

Porto Belo Island, a few minutes away by boat

Right across from the village, Porto Belo Island, also called João da Cunha Island, can be reached by short boat crossings from the shore. There you will find a calm beach, an interpretive trail through the vegetation, rock inscriptions attributed to pre-colonial peoples and a snorkelling route along the rocks. It is the ideal option for those who want a day in nature without straying far from the anchorage.

Beneath the surface

The area's waters owe their clarity to the nearby Arvoredo Marine Biological Reserve, a protected archipelago offshore where underwater life abounds. Tropical fish, turtles and silvery schools frequent these rocky seabeds; local dive centres offer outings suited to beginners and certified divers alike. Even without a tank, a simple mask already reveals a great deal along the rocky points of the bay, especially in the morning, before the afternoon wind has stirred up the sea.

Planning your day without rushing

1. Morning: a crossing to João da Cunha Island or a drive to Bombinhas, before the crowds.
2. Noon: grilled fish or shrimp at a seaside restaurant, with a view of the anchorage.
3. Afternoon: a swim near the village, some craft shopping, then a leisurely return to the jetty.

Heading back on board, you take away from Porto Belo an impression of happy simplicity: a sheltered bay, green hills and water that invites you to look deep into it. Brazil's great cities offer spectacle; this corner of Santa Catarina offers room to breathe. And that is often what you miss most once the cruise is over.