An hour outside Florianópolis, the coastline of Santa Catarina is lined with forested hills that fall straight into the Atlantic and fishing villages with a rich cultural heritage of their own. Just offshore, an archipelago stays largely untouched by the crowds of Brazil’s better-known beach towns.
Awasi Santa Catarina sits on a secluded peninsula in the middle of it all, wrapped in Atlantic Forest and the calm waters of the Southern Coast. Journey Brazil’s co-founder and managing director, Mika Castro, recently returned from a stay, genuinely excited about what the property has become.
“It’s clear the property we once knew as Ponta dos Ganchos is now so much more as an Awasi property. The infrastructure investment in the spa, vehicles, and boats was substantial, and it adds tremendous value.”
A Peninsula of Its Own
Just 25 private villas are spread across more than 80,000 m² of natural landscape in Governador Celso Ramos, each one featuring a heated plunge pool and sea views. To get the most enjoyment out of a stay, Journey Brazil recommends categories with a separate bedroom and living room, bathroom, plunge, and dry sauna, some with a private gym space too.
From Ponta dos Ganchos to Awasi
This property was previously known as Ponta dos Ganchos, a seasonal honeymoon retreat. Its evolution into Awasi Santa Catarina has come with a nearly $4 million USD investment: a new 16,000-square-foot Wellness Center, a gym set among lush greenery, an ocean-facing infinity pool, and the new Explorer Room, where maps and itineraries outline each guest’s tailor-made days. The excursion fleet has grown too, with ten Toyota SW4 4x4s and several vessels, including two catamarans and a zodiac boat for smaller excursions.
The guest experience has shifted from a beautiful room with a view to a fully hosted, experience-based stay, with accommodations, gastronomy, excursions, and personalized service brought together into one.
At most Awasi lodges, guests are typically out on excursions and experiences all day, returning to the property in time for dinner. At Santa Catarina, the lodge itself is part of the playground, anchored by a spa that’s quickly become one of the property’s biggest highlights, alongside a new gym and courts for both traditional and beach-style tennis.
“Unlike some other Awasi lodges, where you’re spending most of your time outside the property, Awasi Santa Catarina offers so much to do right at the property itself, thanks to its revamped infrastructure. It’s the ultimate lodge for enjoying some R&R at the end of a trip.”
Who It’s For
This is the perfect “vacation after the vacation.” Mika calls it an ideal fit for travelers who love wellness and want a restorative close to their trip, people who are active daily, eat well, relax well, and want that same balance on their trip.
It’s also a standout for families with active teens, who can be independent (everything’s at their fingertips) and still regroup for quality time together.
Three to four nights is the sweet spot, with five minimum over the festive season for a quieter alternative to spending the holidays in Rio, while still feeling wonderfully Brazilian. Direct flights connect daily to Rio and São Paulo, pairing well with routes through Iguassu, the Pantanal, or the Amazon, or working beautifully as a standalone trip to Awasi Santa Catarina.
A Day in the Life
Morning: Head out with a private guide and 4×4 for snorkeling, diving, beach-hopping, or a boat outing, with a crew pampering guests with snacks and surprises along the way. Or stay on land for a hike (Journey Brazil knows exactly which season keeps the mosquitos away), a horseback ride, or a surf lesson.
Afternoon: Lunch, a beach picnic, or a trail walk, with paddleboarding and kayaking there whenever the mood strikes. Sink into the newly transformed spa, where treatments are unlimited and complimentary, or spend the hours on tennis, yoga, meditation, or a visit to the property’s beehives to taste the region’s honey.
Evening: Watch the sunset from the villa’s private plunge pool, then settle into the living room by the open fire, complete with all the classic tools that turn it into a ritual, and a favorite drink on ice. From there, dinner awaits, paired with wine from southern Brazil’s vineyards and guided by the property’s sommelier.
“It’s my kind of day. A surf lesson in the morning, followed by a lovely beach picnic. A delicious lunch at Awasi’s beach restaurant, then some afternoon kayaking, a massage at the spa, a dip in the thermal plunges, and sunset from the private pool in my room. It’s just the right balance of scheduled experiences and time to do your own thing.”
What to Pack
- Breathable clothing and a swimsuit (or two)
- Hiking shoes
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- A day backpack
Best time to visit:
- Summer (Dec–Mar): warm, 25–32°C
- Autumn (Apr–Jun): drier and hike-friendly
- Winter (Jul–Sep): the sunniest skies
- Spring (Oct–Nov): nature at its most alive
The Journey Brazil Difference
Awasi’s model is fully hosted: a private guide and vehicle for the stay, with a welcome into the Explorer Room where a guide maps out what’s possible based on availability that week.
Journey Brazil goes a step further. Our planning starts long before arrival, so guests aren’t limited to whatever happens to be available that day. During the design phase, we learn each guest’s travel style, then work hand-in-hand with Awasi to lock in first-choice experiences in advance.
Take the surf lesson: Mika met the property’s surf guide, a talented instructor who lives and breathes surf and makes the whole session a lot of fun. There’s only one of him, and just one lesson a day. Guests who book through Journey Brazil have that first pick secured. Guides check in nightly throughout the stay to fine-tune the next day, giving the security of a plan with room to stay spontaneous.
“Since we intimately know the experience, and what’s best to lock in advance, we work with the Awasi team to make sure Journey Brazil clients are scheduled for the right experiences, rather than locking things in on arrival and being subject to availability.”
Ready to Experience It Yourself?
Awasi Santa Catarina is one of the most exciting additions to Brazil’s south, a place where wellness, adventure, and a warmly hosted stay all live under one roof. Fresh from seeing it firsthand, Mika and the Journey Brazil team know the details worth asking for.
Start the conversation with Mika and the Journey Brazil team today, and let’s create your next Brazil journey together.
