Paddling near Palhoça, Santa Catarina

Palhoça sits on the mainland coast of Santa Catarina, flanked by the Serra do Tabuleiro mountains and a stretch of Atlantic coastline that includes the Balneário Ponta do Papagaio. The area draws paddlers to the Rio Cubatão for whitewater kayaking and to the coastal waters around Ilha do Papagaio for SUP and sea kayaking, with conditions ranging from calm beginner-friendly channels to more exposed open-water crossings.