Florianópolis carries an Azorean culinary heritage that sets it apart from the rest of Brazil. Oysters cultivated in the calm bays of Santo Antônio de Lisboa and Ribeirão da Ilha are world-class — best enjoyed simply, with lemon and a glass of local sparkling wine. The Mercado Público is a beloved institution, while a new generation of farm-to-table chefs is reimagining Santa Catarina’s surf-and-turf bounty through a fine dining lens. Merola curates private oyster farm visits, wine-paired seafood dinners, and foraging experiences with local chefs who know the island’s larder intimately.

Florianópolis blends Azorean immigrant history with a thriving contemporary arts scene. The historic district of Santo Antônio de Lisboa preserves whitewashed colonial churches and fishing traditions that feel unchanged from 18th-century Portugal. The city’s galleries and design studios have gained international recognition, and a strong local music scene contributes an unexpected creative energy. Merola offers private architectural tours of the island’s heritage neighbourhoods, as well as curated studio visits with local artists and master craftspeople.

Florianópolis is surrounded by 42 beaches — each with its own character, ecology, and atmosphere. Joaquina is legendary for surf; Praia Mole draws the cosmopolitan; Lagoinha do Leste is reachable only by trail and rewards the adventurous with untouched perfection. Private surf coaching with former championship athletes, stand-up paddle tours of the Lagoa da Conceição, and sea kayaking through the island’s southern mangroves are all available exclusively through Merola. Whale-watching season (August–November) brings southern right whales remarkably close to shore.

A private sunset aperitivo at a restored Azorean farmhouse overlooking the bay. A dawn surf session at a break accessible only by boat, followed by breakfast on a private catamaran. A nighttime bioluminescence kayak through Lagoa do Peri. Florianópolis rewards those who move beyond its famous beaches to discover an island of extraordinary intimacy and natural variety.

December through March is peak summer on the island — warm, energetic, and social. For a quieter, more intimate experience, April–June and September–November offer near-perfect conditions, emptier beaches, and remarkable marine wildlife. The north of the island concentrates the social scene and resort infrastructure; the south is wilder, greener, and more pristine. Merola’s properties and curated experiences span both worlds.