Vida Sol e Mar directly overlooks Praia do Rosa and is just 1¼ hours from Florianopolis. The charming and friendly hotel hosts the Right Whale Institute, which promotes the preservation of the Southern species. Between July and October boat trips accompanied by a biologist allow guests to see these leviathans of the deep up close. Other activities available from the hotel include visits to historic Laguna (where dolphins herd shoals towards fishermen’s nets), surfing, windsurfing, horse riding and walks in the Atlantic rainforest.

The Ponta dos Ganchos Resort is one of the newest and most luxurious resorts in Santa Catarina. It is composed of two tropical islands, connected by a private bridge with a secluded natural salt-water pool formed by the shallow sandbar. This unique resort has 25 fully equipped rooms and 20 bungalows, as well as a heated infinity pool, tennis courts, a Spa by Christian Dior, golf carts, and ecological trails.