Every year from July until November the Southern Right Whales migrate to Santa Catarina coastline, making whale watching a popular activity. Some tour operators take tourists by boat, however, naturally the whales get close enough to see it from shore.

This weekend a group of 3 whales and calf was in Floripa, just on the southern part of the island, between Pântano do Sul and Solidão beaches, a beautiful bay surrounded by hills and islands. I was lucky to be there and see them with my own eyes. How great feeling it gives you, after all it is not everyday you see a whale in nature. Even a dolphin was swimming nearby them. Just spectacular.
Floripa is not a place where you can easily see the whales. The region down south from Garobaba and Imbituba is considered to have the best places for whale watching.

The Right whales were heavily hunted in the past, putting them into endangered species, but since the hunting stopped the population has grown steadily. Unfortunately we still have nations that simply neglect the worldwide appeals and continue to hunt the poor animals.

Besides whales I also saw the destruction made in Armação beach.
Some months ago, due to strong storm surges, many houses were washed away. The beach is simply gone, replaced by tons of rocks to build a wall in order to protect the houses located in the shore. A very sad scene. Armação was a very beautiful and popular beach and now few stretches of sand are left what will surely impact on the local economy during the summer months. Many specialists point man intervention in the area as the main cause. The local population demands a solution but aren’t they somehow accomplice on this environmental tragedy ?

“Do nothing that would harm the Earth” - James Lovelock

Among many waterfront restaurants in Costa da Lagoa, I found the Lagoa Bonita, a good place to have a drink with friends or just relax and watch life passing by. The menu has the same dishes as the other local restaurants and similar price. It has outside tables on a wooden deck and also few tables inside.
Firstly I ordered a portion of fried shrimps and some drinks. Next I ordered a grilled mullet accompanied by rice, pirão, fries and shrimp sauce which took quite long to arrive in my table. The fish was fresh and tasty. The table service was good but some orders took long so maybe they are lacking enough staff.
In overall it was a delicious meal in a lovely place. Nothing really special but a different place to try if you are visiting Costa da Lagoa.

Opening hours: 11h ~ 17:30h
Credit cards: Diners | Mastercard | Visa

Ataliba is a traditional churrascaria on Beira Mar avenue serving good quality churrasco. Among the churrascarias that I have been in Floripa, I consider Ataliba the best. I am not a devoted carnivore and rather prefer fish, but sometimes I enjoy eating churrasco.
The house works in the system “all you can eat” costing R$ 58,60 per person. Although the price is a bit expensive than average restaurants, it includes a good and diverse salad bar, some hot dishes and also many types of desert. Beverages you pay apart.
The table service is good and professional. As soon as you sit and order the drinks they start bringing the sticks of meat to your table.
The meat has good quality and it is well prepared. I also had the opportunity to try some different types of meat, like roasted ostrich and boar.
The interior has simple lines and few decoration on the walls, nothing that will catch your attention, but modern enough for a pleasant time. It has ample space and many tables, good for a celebration with friends or family.
For those new to churrasco, I can assure a good first impression.

Opening hours: 11h ~ 15h / 19h ~ 0h (Sunday only lunch)
Credit cards: Diners | Mastercard | Visa
Website: www.churrascariasataliba.com.br

For stater we ordered drinks, salmon salad and some beef scallops. The salad had a special dressing - I believe based on balsamic vinegar - and generous pieces of shredded salmon.

Time for pasta and looking at the menu it can be quite difficult to decide what to order among so many interesting options. I decided for Tortellini ai Funghi - a kind of ring-shaped pasta with white sauce, mushroom and herbs - which was amazingly tasty. A pasta dish can serve two but my wife preferred to have spaghetti bolognese.

The restaurant has a delightful ambiance. At night the place is dim lit and all the tables candle-lit, thus making a romantic dining setting. The decoration has lots of rustic and old objects on the walls and ceiling giving a sense of friendly intimacy.
The table service is professional. A very polite waiter served us and despite his short experience in the house, he was able to provide good recommendations.
About pricing, I felt it is inexpensive considering the quality of the meal, table service and ambiance. I spent around R$120 and there was left over food which I ordered a takeout — they’d boxed it to go. A couple normally would spend half of that price and eat quite well.
Highly recommended restaurant to dine out with your partner, celebrate with close friends or family.
It´s Italian Trattoria do Guto can also be found on Ingleses.

Address 1: Avenida Hercilio Luz, 1169 - Centro
Phone: 48 - 3224 0974

Address 2: Estrad. Dom João Becker, 1211 Ingleses
Phone: 48 - 3269 3333

Opening hours: 11h~14:30 - 18:30~last customer
Credit cards: Diners | Mastercard | Visa
Website: www.itsitalian.com.br

Situated in the nice location of Sambaqui, Restinga Recanto is a traditional seafood restaurant, noticeable for its decoration with dolls in the front.
They serve traditional dishes found in most seafood restaurants: fish prepared in many ways, shrimp in pumpkin, oysters and other seafood combinations.
The interior is rustic and widely decorated with local culture symbols. Built in a hill top, there is a good balcony with views to the northern bay waters. At night it is especially enchanting, with the lights of the continent shining in the background. Down the hill there is also a restaurant pier for incoming boats and waterside tables.

The table service is informal, without professional training, but the servers are quite friendly and willing to assist you.
I have tried the fish Linguado (common sole), the freshest one according to the waiter, and for accompaniment dishes rice, pirão, saute potatoes and salad. Unfortunately the food wasn’t as good as I expected: the fish missing flavour and regular side dishes. I spent over a R$100 and felt that the meal wasn’t worth it.

In overall Restinga is a nice looking and well located house with regular food, but a bit overpriced in the cost benefit analysis. Good place if you just want to have a drink - perhaps a beer - tasting local seafood appetizers with friends. Particularly at night, the scenery can provide good moments with your partner.

Address: Rodovia Rafael da Rocha Pires, 2759 - Sambaqui
Phone: 48 - 3235 2093
Opening hours: 10h ~ 0 ( Monday closed )
Credit cards: Diners | Mastercard | Visa
Website: www.restingarestaurante.com.br