Where is Florianopolis
located and how do I get there?
Florianopolis is the capital of
Santa Catarina, one of the richest per capita states
in all of Brazil, and is located in the southern region
of the country. It can be reached in approximately
1 hour by plane from São Paulo and 2 hours
from Rio de Janeiro.
Arriving in Florianopolis from
the U.S. is simple – a connection is made in
São
Paulo with a second leg available directly to Florianopolis.
There are direct flights to São Paulo from
most major U.S. cities, though one stop-over in the
U.S. prior to arrival in Brazil is not uncommon. There
is a major airport in Florianopolis (airport
code: FLN), located just 20 minutes from your Nexus
Surf accommodations.
For promotional discounted airfare and
the most direct itineraries available to Brazil, please
contact our Brazil travel partner Sabrina at travel@nexussurf.com,
or call her directly at (888) 456-2224 (toll free from the
US) or 1 (818) 789-4523 (from elsewhere in the world).
Are there any
special travel requirements traveling to Brazil?
Yes. U.S. citizens must have a Visa to
enter Brazil. Processing costs $100, and it may take up
to 10 business days to complete, so make sure to apply
early to avoid any last minute complications. If you
live in or near a city where there is a Brazilian
Consulate (Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Miami,
Houston, Washington D.C., Chicago and Boston), you may
apply in person. If not, or if you can't get away to during
the day to drop off your application, there are a number
of third-party services specializing in Visa processing
(see below).
Each Brazilian Consulate has its own
website that provides more information on what is required
for processing the Visa application at that particular
location.
Below, for example, is the link for the Los Angeles
Consulate:
www.brazilian-consulate.org (see links under “Visas” on right hand side)
There are also third-party services which
can process your tourist Visa, including:
www.visahq.com
www.traveldocs.com
I have heard
people talking about Brazil being dangerous, is Florianopolis
safe?
Absolutely. While no place in the world
is unfortunately 100% free of crime these days, Florianopolis is about as safe a city as they come. The bad rap
Brazil has received in the international press is
due almost single handedly to the large urban centers
of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, where crime
is rampant due to overcrowding and gross inequities
in income distribution among the population. Florianopolis on the other hand has the feel and safety of a sleepy
island paradise, and its inhabitants (many of whom
moved here specifically to get away from the craziness
of big city life in Brazil) go to great measures to
safeguard the peaceful atmosphere in the city.
Additionally, you can rest assured because
you will be in great hands during your entire stay with
Nexus. Along with staying in the best location on the
island (stunningly beautiful, safe and tourist-friendly),
you will have constant access to the English speaking
Nexus team to help out with and explain anything you
need. As with visiting any city anywhere in the world,
there are certain areas you want to be in and others
you’d prefer to stay out of – travel with
Nexus and you will always have the luxury of a true
insider view on the best places on the island to stay,
surf, eat, go out, shop and explore.
What kind of
surf board should I use, and do I need to bring my own?
Basically, if the board works on the waves
back home, it will work here. As a general rule, local
surfers prefer shorter, smaller boards, but that is
more for a reflection of Brazil surf style than anything
else. Beginners do not need to bring any equipment,
as we have everything on hand you'll need. We encourage
advanced surfers on the other hand, who are generally
much more particular about what board they ride, to
bring their own familiar surf board and equipment along
for their surf trip to Brazil. For
those who simply refuse to travel with boards, or
who have the unfortunate circumstance of damaged
equipment or would just like to try out a new board for
fun, Nexus provides access to a
quiver of high-performance surf boards
in a variety of shapes and sizes (primarily short
boards from 6'0'' to 6'4''). If we don't have
exactly what you're looking for on hand, we can also
help you to track down a rental board that suits your
needs at one of the local surf shops that we have
relationships with (surf board rental generally runs
about $20 per day). Finally, we offer special tours to local surf board factories upon request,
so you may want to pick up a custom board shaped just
for you on your Brazil surf trip and bring it back with you (boards here
cost a fraction of what they do in the US and are
very high quality).
I always travel
to places and surf on my own, why should I book a trip
with Nexus?
While anyone is of course free to book
a trip to Florianopolis and break out the tourist
guidebook, what Nexus offers its clients is a totally
different experience. From the moment you walk off
the plane and are picked up by Nexus team you can relax
and enjoy your trip to the fullest, knowing that every
last detail will be taken care off – deluxe
beachfront accommodations, gourmet meals, guided
surf tours to the very best and secret surf spots
on and around the island ideal for that day’s
conditions, lessons in a fun and comfortable setting
for beginners, transportation to day time and night
time activities and total VIP access to the best
A-list nightlife Florianopolis has to offer,
a huge variety of extreme sports options at your
fingertips, rental car, local cell phone use, breakfast
service and a true insiders view to incredible Brazilian
culture. In sum, the best waves, the best surf excursions,
the best parties, access to unreal extreme sport
adventure options, total comfort, convenience, safety
and simplicity. All for less than you would pay per
night for a decent hotel per night back home.
You should also know that Brazil is a
destination where travelers are often surprised to
find that the average person on the street (taxi drivers,
store clerks, hotel receptionists, etc.) does not
speak much, if any, English. Being immersed alone
in a foreign culture such as this can be bewildering
for many, who end up feeling frustrated because they
miss out on tons of great experiences that local culture
has to offer by staying isolated in their particular
traveling group and are unable to find the best surf
and nightlife spots that Florianopolis is famous for.
Nexus not only demystifies Brazilian culture, it provides
you access to the very best it has to offer and allows
you to see things through the eyes of a local. Travel
with Nexus and you won’t
just see Brazilian culture, you will experience it!
What are others
saying about the Nexus Brazil Surf Experience™?
Below is a sample of testimonials from
recent visitors:
“I wanted to drop you a quick
note to say what an amazing time I had down in Floripa -- I can't wait to return and the only negative thing
about the whole trip was having to leave and re-engage
in work. I live in one of the best places in the world
by my estimation, but I was blown away by the trip last
week - in all aspects, but most significantly by the
staff of Nexus. The people you have found hands down
make the experience and I cannot say enough nice things
about how they all took care of us, they were amazing. I
have honestly not been on a holiday quite like it before
and will definitely return and of course highly
recommend Nexus to anyone who will listen to my raving!”
-- Wendy, San Diego/California
“That was an amazing trip man,
I can't thank you enough for the job all of you guys
did. I know I speak for everyone when I say that we're
all coming back.....probably more than you would like.
Thanks again, that was beyond cool. You've really
got an awesome thing going on down there.”
-- Tom, Los Angeles/California
“On the flight down to Brazil,
we talked about how our trip couldn’t possibly live
up to the lofty expectations set by the Nexus website.
However we weren’t on the ground long before we happily
realized that Nexus actually under-promises and over-delivers. Floripa provides great surfing for all abilities, wild
parties, delicious (and affordable) restaurants, and
world-class natural beauty. Oh, and the views of the
ocean, mountains, and lagoon aren’t too shabby either.
Quite simply, Mexico and the Caribbean don’t even compare.
Despite being physically exhausted every day, we always
felt relaxed because the whole Nexus crew took care
of everything from the time we got off the plane until
we were sadly dropped off at the airport. We can’t
wait to go back.”
-- Ted, New York/New York
“Floripa was everything promised
and more. Nexus Surf took care of everything and all
we had to worry about was waking up to go surfing and
how many bottles to order in VIP. Flight was a concern
at first, but turned out to be well worth it!”
-- Craig, Las Vegas/Nevada
“My husband and I
had such an amazing honeymoon in
Florianopolis -- thank
you Nexus Surf!! It's hard to believe hardly anyone in
the States knows about this
place or about Nexus. I
have to say that at first I was nervous to go to Brazil
for 2 reasons. One, I'd heard warnings about crime. However,
Florianopolis was almost like the
Hamptons (without all the high-browing)
and totally safe. I felt more than comfortable
doing everything with or without my husband
- shopping, dining, surfing, everything. Secondly,
this was my honeymoon and I wasn't sure about bringing my
husband to thong's R us. However, while there were beautiful
people on the beach (both men & women),
it was just like any other vacation spot and nothing abnormal
at all. If there are any frustrated New Yorkers
out there who love to
surf & kite, or have just an active, healthy vacation,
their next trip should definitely
be with Nexus Surf
in Florianopolis!”
--
Cheryl, New York/New York
“We came to Floripa as Barnies,
we left as Barnies with great tans, a few choice words
of Portuguese in our toolkits, and stories that would
get us arrested back in the U.S. Long-live Nexus Surf!!”
-- Brendan, San Francisco/California
“As a skeptical English businessman
who writes marketing copy for a living, I read the website and
didn't believe all the hype. Whilst I hoped some of it would
be true, I expected a certain amount of under-delivery. I couldn't
have been more wrong; the NEXUS team delivered on every level,
and went beyond the call of duty on numerous occasions. We
literally had a 24/7 on-demand concierge/escort service
throughout the week from beach to restaurant to nightclub to
party and then back to the beach.
As for Floripa, I've been to many places
including the Caribbean, Thailand, Malaysia and Australia, and
for me Floripa beats them all with its combination of
unspoiled beaches, great water sports facilities, safe
environment, good infrastructure, friendly people and
beautiful girls. NEXUS puts the icing on the cake by ensuring
you experience all the highlights (and none of the lowlights,
of which I imagine there must be some though I didn't see
any!) that this beautiful island had to offer.”
--
Rob, London/England
“The Nexus Surf experience delivers!
Expectations were quite high coming into this trip and
Nexus exceeded all of them. Great waves, insane nightlife,
and awesome beach pad all blended into a unique local
experience. Hands down the best surf trip I've ever
taken!”
-- Tom, San Francisco/California
“Floripa was the best trip of my life
by a factor of 10. Honestly, I can't say enough about it and I
will undoubtedly return. The island is stunningly beautiful,
the beaches are amazing, the surf is fantastic, the nightlife
is INCREDIBLE and the island has by far the most beautiful
women I have ever seen. To boot, the food was great and NEXUS
literally rolls out the red carpet for their guests. The surf
guides are incredible and tailor the outings to your ability
and preferences so that you always feel safe in the water. But
really where the experience separates itself from any other is
the people and the culture. We hardly saw any other tourists
on the island and all the locals were super friendly. To be
certain, experiencing Floripa would not have been possible
without Nexus, as they provide access to the best activities,
surf spots, restaurants, nightlife (the parties are
indescribable) and totally immerse you in the culture. Thanks
Nexus for an amazing trip!”
--
Adam, Los Angeles/California
“So many good times, I don’t
know where to begin. Surf, women, food, weather, beaches,
ridiculous nightlife - you can't beat Brazil!! The whole
trip ran so smoothly and was hooked up from A to Z,
thank you NEXUS SURF for everything! I'll definitely
let you know when I head down again...... hopefully
soon!”
-- Dylan, San Francisco/California
"My time with Nexus in Floripa
had to be one of my best vacations ever. From the amazing
waves and relaxing beaches, to the incredible food and
ridiculous nightlife, this place has everything. Not
to mention our host, Nexus, really hooked us up. It's
always a much better trip when your guide knows what
beaches to surf and what nightclubs to go
to (and when). Not to mention Brazilians are really
friendly and laid back – with Nexus I feel like
I got a really privileged look inside Brazilian culture.
Can't wait to go back!"
-- Gene, San Diego/California
“I will never vacation anywhere
else in my life.”
-- Kirk, San Diego/California
What
are the experts saying about Nexus Surf and Florianopolis?
The Guardian(UK): "The World's Top Party Beaches"
“There are 42 beaches on Florianopolis, a beautiful island an hour's flight from Sao Paulo or Rio. Among their number, Praia Mole - a 20-minute cycle from the lakeside town of Lagoa de Conceicao - is the most excitable, lined with
dozens of caipirinha-soaked beach bars and restaurants that hum with samba and reggae. Flanked by two superb left-handers the beach is something of a mecca for local surfers, but the flirting on the sand can be just as active - Praia Mole
has a reputation for attracting the most beautiful boys and girls in Brazil.”
Full text at: The Guardian(UK) Article
Riviera Magazine: "Surf
Like a Brazilian"
“These days it seems as though every
surfer has a hot Brazilian girlfriend. Make like
Kelly Slater and find your own Giselle Bündchen.
Thanks to Nexus Surf, you can sign
up for a week-long Brazilian surf camp in Florianopolis,
an island that boasts 42 pristine beaches. From guided
surf excursions and lessons to shuttle service and
VIP access to Brazil's hottest nightlife spots, Nexus puts together the ultimate surfer package. If you're
not busy samba dancing with a local beauty, Nexus
can put together kite surfing, paragliding, river
rafting and sand boarding.”
Full text at: Riviera
Magazine Article
TIME Magazine: "The Beautiful South"
“Florianópolis is regularly voted best for quality of life in the country. The accolade attracts a steady flow of fashionable Paulistas (São Paulo is only an hour's flight away), young surfers and families coming to while away their weekends at the wide sandy beaches nearby. Style and glamour are in the city's DNA — its most famous son and daughter are tennis player Gustavo Kuerten and supermodel Gisele Bündchen.
Floripa, as it is known to locals, is basically an island — a stretch of water cuts most of the city off from the mainland, and a bridge connects the two. With waves lapping every corner, it's a haven for watersports enthusiasts, and kite surfers love its central lagoon. There are 42 beaches in total, many of which are only accessible by foot or boat."
Full text at: Time Magazine Article
The Miami Herald: "But where do the Brazilians go when they want to samba?"
“The world dreams of escaping to Rio de Janeiro, but what about Rio natives themselves? Ask the boys and girls of Ipanema (or many other Brazilians), and you´ll find that Florianopolis (Ilha de Santa Catarina), an island just off Brazil´s southern coast, tops most lists."
Forbes Traveler: "World's Top 10 Luxury Surf Spots"
“When master Hawaiian surfboard shaper John
Carper first started surfing 50 years ago, people
referred to surfers as beach bums and slackers, and no
one thought they'd get a job... Fast-forward half a
century: Surfing is not a $10 billion industry
worldwide, and everyone's riding a wave of success...
cashed-up executives are swapping the board room for a
long board, hitting the surf on weekends as an antidote
to their stressful lives. Hans Keeling is the perfect
example: After an Ivy League education, he became a
corporate lawyer, but said, 'I was amazed to find that
more and more of my friends, whether they were hedge
fund managers or lawyers or architects, started to take
up surfing. It almost became a status symbol.' Now he
operates a surf tourism company called
Nexus Surf in
Brazil...
Florianopolis’ sandy breaks
are perfect for beginners and intermediate surfers, but
don’t be fooled by this Brazilian island’s gentle
nature: It also hosts South America’s only WCT Pro
Surfing event.”
Full text at: Forbes
Traveler Article
SwellMagnet.com Travel Report:
“With high quality consistent surf
year round, great weather, tropical temps, some of
the best beaches in the world, natural Brazilian beauty
everywhere you look, the best parties, the best food
anywhere, and some of the best looking people in the
world, it's hard to argue for a better place to take
your next surf trip.
The entire Nexus Surf English speaking
staff are super cool locals and surfers, professional
and detail oriented, and basically do everything they
can to make sure you get everything you want out of
the trip to Floripa and you walk away planning to come
back. So far, 100% of their clients have said they’re
coming back. Nexus has set up a Floripa trip the right
way. Unlike many other surf-travel vacations that promise
'paradise' and
give you 'survivor', this is the real thing.”
Full text at: SwellMagnet.com
Travel Report
SurfersVillage.com: "Florianopolis
Maybe Best All Around Surf Trip Destination"
“Florianopolis, a small
island located just off the southern coast of Brazil,
is quietly making a name for itself as one of the best
all-around surf trip destinations around. Recently
named by Forbes Traveler as one of the world's top 10
'luxury' surf destinations, a Florianopolis surf trip offers a unique combination of day and night-time
activities to keep just about anyone happy.
For starters, this beach break paradise boasts over 15
classic surf beaches, with several world-class surf
spots. Variety and year round wave consistency are
two of the island's strong points, and with so many
options and nearly unlimited peaks, uncrowded waves
are always for the finding and the scenery from out in
the water is unbeatable.
One word of advice for
international visitors - make sure you visit the
island with someone who knows what they're doing. Not
well organized for tourists who don't speak the local
language (Portuguese) and quite spread out (both in
terms of surfing, activities, restaurants and
nightlife), it can be difficult for those who show up
with no prior knowledge to uncover Florianopolis' true
gems.
For high-end all-inclusive surf vacations to Florianopolis,
including guided tours to the best breaks on and
around the island for advanced surfers and complete
lessons/equipment packages for beginners, in addition
to top-notch accommodations in the island's best
beachfront location and VIP access to the best of Florianopolis nightlife, check out Nexus Surf
(www.nexussurf.com)."
Full text at: Surfer's
Village Article
Stanford Graduate School of Business,
Entrepreneur Seminar Case Study:
“Nexus Surf provides its clients an
experience offered nowhere else in the world. By
connecting adventure enthusiasts looking for an exotic,
action packed vacation with the pristine and vibrant
beach community of Florianopolis, Brazil, Nexus provides
a one-of-a-kind experience for travelers. From the
moment a potential customer visits the Nexus website
until he or she returns home, every detail of the
experience has been orchestrated by Nexus to be simple
for the customer, anticipatory of pending questions
and at its core a memorable vacation from start to
finish. Nexus crafts every aspect of the customer’s
trip, from initial contact to departure from Florianopolis and offers its services as editor and quality assurance
provider, providing guests with the best of what Florianopolis has to offer, customized to the specific tastes of
the client. Such attention to detail focused on the
customer experience is what defines the value of the Nexus brand in the marketplace and is the highest priority
of the company.”
Surfshot.com Travel Guide:
“Nexus Surf provides its clients with a rapid
immersion into the best Brazilian surf and culture through
intensive customer service and local knowledge. Whether you're
hitting up one of the many hollow beach breaks during the day
or one of Floripa's vibrant nightspots, Nexus' guides will
ensure that you're at the right spot at the perfect time.”
Full text at: Surfshot Travel Guide
MySurfBrands.com: "Top 10 Surf Resorts in the
World"
** Nexus was proud to be included in this list of the world's top
surf resorts prior to the close of its first full year and a half
of operations, though already has an eye out for one of the top
3 spots in next year's rankings.
“Florianopolis' 100 miles of beaches,
pointbreaks and rivermouths are a true surfer's paradise
thanks to its year round consistent swell, water temperatures,
beautiful climate and busting South American nightlife.
Floripa is home to stacks of world class surf spots such as
Praia Mole, Joaquina, Campeche and Lagoinha do Leste. This is
where the Nexus Surf Resort is located which also makes
for handy access to the waves at Guarda do Embaú and Praia
Rosa. The Nexus Brazil Surf Experience offers a
variety of deluxe beachfront accommodations in Florianopolis
in stylishly decorated private beach townhomes, homes and
villas in all the best locations in town with all the best
perks (cable TV, air conditioning, wireless high speed
internet, U.S. phone line, full kitchen, pool/spa/sauna and
ocean views). Guests can expect friendly, knowledgeable
customer service. Time wise, when better to go than to
experience South America's only WCT Tour Event, the Nova Schin
Festival in late October and early November.”
Full text at: Top
10 Surf Resorts in the World
The Guardian (UK):
“Sun, Sea and Supermodels - Florianopolis
is the hottest beach resort in South America right
now.”
Full text at: Guardian
Article
MSNBC Today:
"For more beauty on the beach, head a few hundred miles north of Punta del Este to the beaches of Florianopolis on the island of Santa Catarina in Southern Brazil.
Floripa, as Brazilians call this California-esque coastal enclave, is as renowned throughout Latin America for its golden beaches as it is for the golden-haired bombshells that abound—Germans, Polish and Italians colonized the South of Brazil, explaining the Giselle Bündchen look-a-like phenomenon that’s unmissable on the beaches here. “Floripa is recognized as a top-end beach place in Brazil,” says Sao Paolo tourism executive Francisco Costa Neto. “They have some great seafood there, too, so it’s really the best of both worlds.”
The eastern beaches, particularly Praia Mole, draw international surfers and gorgeous groupies for good waves in a strut-your-stuff atmosphere, while the southern beaches, popular with Santa Catarina locals, are emptier due to the colder water, rocky shoreline and more remote access (many require hiking in)."
Full text at: MSNBC Today Article
W Magazine:
“In recent years, some of Brazil's most glamorous
sorts have been forsaking their traditional watering holes for
the more discreet charms of an island near the southern tip of
the country. Santa Catarina -- usually referred to as Floripa,
for the island's capital city, Florianópolis -- is an easy
hour or so flight from either Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo and
boasts 300 square miles of ravishing beaches and luxuriant
rainforests.
Floripa offers outstanding opportunities
for all water sports: surfing, kite surfing, sailing and
diving. 'It's like Rio used to be 20 years ago. It's all
easy-going and there are places where nature still is left
untouched. Besides the beach, there are great restaurants and
nightclubs, if you want that. And the people are the most
beautiful in Brazil.'
Now Americans appear to be catching on.
Calvin Klein and musician Ben Harper were spotted there this
winter. Perhaps they feel at home with the island's Southern
California vibe, which emanates from the local surfing culture
as well as a profusion of blonds.”
Full text at: W
Magazine Article
The Ark:
“Surfing is not the only pastime on the
idyllic vacation isle of Florianopolis. Just as available
are windsurfing, kitesurfing, eco-hikes and tours,
sand dune boarding, river rafting, horseback riding,
snorkeling and diving. 'We give
our customers an insider’s view of the culture,' said Keeling, founder
of Nexus Surf. 'Brazilians are friendly, fun-loving, relaxed
and warm, and Floripa is a very safe place, contrary to what one sometimes hears
on the news about Brazil’s largest mega-cities like São Paulo and
Rio.'”
Full text at: Ark
Article
The 4-Hour Workweek, by Tim
Ferriss: "Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New
Rich" 
“More than a year later, Hans was still
getting unsolicited job offers from law firms, but by then had
started Nexus Surf, a premier surf-adventure company
based in the tropical paradise of Florianopolis, Brazil. He
had met his dream girl, a Carioca with caramel-colored skin
named Tatiana, and spent most of his time relaxing under palm
trees or treating clients to the best times of their lives.”
Banker's Ball Interview:
“This week we interview professional beach bum Hans
Keeling, who said goodbye to a life of corporate drudgery
a few years ago, started his own business in Brazil and never
looked back...”
Full text at: Banker's
Ball Interview
An Investment Banker's Take
on Life: "Living an Authentic Life"
“Remember the figure of Greek mythology who was
condemned eternally to push a rock up a steep hill, only to
see it tumble back down of its own weight when it reaches the
top, and then the whole routine starts all over again? That's
Sisyphus for you. And it strikes me as ironic because, if I
were to believe Homer, Sisyphus was supposedly the wisest and
most prudent of mortals. There's a Sisyphus in many of us,
wise and prudent, wanting to break free from the curse of
incessant meaningless work. However, only a few have been
favored with the clues on how to do it, and among those lucky
few, even fewer have shown the courage to actually do it, for
fear that the rock they want to leave behind might in the end
crush them. Meet Hans Keeling...”
Full text at: Authentic Life Article
When
is the best time to visit Florianopolis?
There is no definitive “best time” of the
year to visit Florianopolis. You could ask ten
locals this question and receive ten different answers.
Each season in Floripa offers distinct characteristics,
and which of these are most attractive depends on
individual preferences. The goal here is to outline
these characteristics in order to assist you in determining
which time of the year will suit you best.
January, February: These months encompass the Brazilian high season, when
most of the country takes summer vacation and heads
off to beach destinations (not unlike Europe in July
and August). The high season in Florianopolis begins the day after Christmas and continues through
the end of Carnaval, the date of which varies from
year to year but generally falls toward the end of
February. During this time of year Florianopolis is in high gear, all cylinders go. The weather is
warm (average highs – January: 82°, February:
83°),
beaches are packed, nightclubs and bars are jumping,
restaurants are often filled to capacity, and the
atmosphere is vibrant as jet-set vacationers from
all over South America arrive to enjoy the beauty
of Floripa in all its summer glory. Events and parties
sell out quickly, big name international DJ’s
pass through the clubs on a regular basis (i.e., Fat
Boy Slim, Sasha, etc.), and Brazilian actors and models
are seen all around the island’s hot spots.
Sun seekers descend on the island in great numbers
and everyone takes to the water – windsurfing,
kitesurfing, canoeing, boating, and of course most
famously, surfing. The only drawback of this time
of year is that the island at times gets overcrowded,
particularly during the weeks of New Year’s
and Carnaval, when prices also go up quite a bit. Since
the island’s infrastructure and roads were not
designed for the swell in population, car traffic
can be severe, and lines at the best bars nightclubs
can also be intense. Fortunately, visiting Floripa with Nexus minimizes these issues to the greatest
extent possible. For one, you will be staying in
the very best location on the island, the place to
be with respect to summer revelry and conveniently
located to the very best Florianopolis has
to offer in terms of surf, beaches, nature, culture,
dining and nightlife. You shouldn’t waste valuable
vacation time by risking ending up in an undesirable
part of the island during this time of the year and
having to deal with traffic to get to where you want
to be each day. With Nexus, not only will you be
in the very best location on the island from the
start, you’ll also be in the hands
of the experts who know when there will be traffic
and where, and thus how to minimize any annoyance
caused by it. The same goes with nightclubs and restaurants,
since with Nexus you will always enter as a VIP,
no waiting in line and with the best table reservations
all set up for you in advance, hassle free. For surfing,
despite being summer time, there is generally still
a high probability of scoring great waves during
your stay, and overheads are not uncommon. Because
of the tremendous variety of beaches on the island
and their varying angles of exposure to the Atlantic
(click here for a map of
Florianopolis),
if there is any swell at all there will for sure
be at least a few breaks that are “on”.
This is another important advantage of visiting Floripa with Nexus, as each morning we will scope out the
very best conditions for you, whether north or south
on the island or on the continent, and take you there.
Also a great time for beginners who would prefer
to learn with gentler waves. For those rare days
when there is no swell whatsoever, the weather is
warm and perfect for enjoying the many outdoor adventure
activities that Nexus offers in lieu of surfing,
such as river rafting, sand dune boarding, windsurfing,
snorkeling, paragliding or horseback riding. In sum,
these months are great for those who want a vibrant,
high energy vacation, an incredible beach and nightlife “scene”,
warm tropical weather that is perfect for enjoying
the surf and all the other outdoor action sport activities
available here, and don’t mind a bit of congestion
here and there or the absence of double-overhead
swells.
March, April: In the above mentioned “poll” of locals,
probably the months getting the highest number of votes
would be March and April. During these months, the weather
is fantastic and warm (average highs – March:
81°, April: 77°), the crowds of visitors have
subsided (and with them the overcongestion of the island),
water temperatures are at their warmest, and the locals
let loose. Nightlife and the beach vibe continue on
strong, carrying on the energy of the high season. Swells
pick up as April approaches and there are epic days
to be had on the water. Also an excellent time for beginner
and intermediate surfers, as our beginner beaches offer
protected coves with gentler waves even when bigger
swells come in. On days when swell is less than perfect,
weather is ideal for letting Nexus lead the way in exploring
the many gorgeous nature trails on the island leading
to waterfalls, mountain vistas and pristine lagoons,
partaking in the many action/adventure sport options
offered by Nexus, or accompanying us on city tours and
excursions to get an insider’s view into wonderfully
exotic local culture. Long evenings are perfect for
barbeques with friends and lazy dinners with plenty
of caipirinhas before heading out on the town.
May, June, July: During this time of year, the swells continue to pick
up in force and double overheads are not uncommon. Wetsuits
are desirable for all but the most cold blooded surfers,
and lineups thin out as temperature-sensitive Brazilians
tend to prefer to stay out of the cold water. The most
consistent and powerful swells in Floripa are to be
had between April and October, and these months are
the focal point of that period. One downside for surfing
is that in May and June some of the beaches in
Florianopolis close down for mullet fishing season (unfortunately
for surfers, fishermen got to the island long before
we did, and Brazil is a place where long-standing traditions
tend to be honored). Luckily this closure is by no means
a problem, as Floripa has so many great surfing beaches
and plenty of them remain open (including most of Nexus
“mainstay” beaches and Praia Mole that is
directly in front of and walking distance to your accommodations).
For beginner surfers, our best beginner beach is also
unaffected by the fishing season, while also remaining
sheltered for the most part from larger and possibly
intimidating waves despite the increasing swell intensity
on the island generally. However, if you were enticed
by the chance to try out 20 different breaks in 7 days
and the equivalent of a surf smorgasbord, this is not
the time of year for you. The nightlife and “scene”
on the island slow down a bit, but are still incredible
by just about any standard. Floripa is a state capital
with a population of roughly 400,000 year round residents
and is without a doubt a fully-functioning year round
city independent of tourism (as opposed to many Brazilian
vacation resort destinations that pretty much shut the
doors outside of the high vacation season). The island
itself has three large universities and there are many
more on the continent nearby, so you can rest assured
the nightlife goes strong year round, just about every
night of the week. While the problem of long lines at
nightclubs and bars encountered at times during the
high season is less common, Nexus’ value add in
the nightlife department is perhaps even more important
than in summer. During this time of the year there is
usually just one party or club on the entire island
that is “on” per night (as opposed to summer,
when there are many, just that the good ones can be
difficult to get in to!), and without knowing where
to go and when, it is difficult to fully experience
the nightlife that Floripa is famous for, particularly
with the spread out nature of the island. Weather wise,
the beach is still a great option on nice days in May
and gets comfortably full on weekends and holidays,
as is occasionally also the case in June and July as
well (average highs – May: 73°, June: 69°,
July: 68°). But for the most part, this time of
year does not offer tropical beach-type weather, instead
it is more like San Diego in the springtime. Sunny days
are warm and pleasant, though at night it can cool off
quite a bit because of the proximity to the ocean, so
make sure to pack some long sleeved evening wear this
time of year. In addition to the surfing, this is a
fantastic time of year for nature hikes, cycling and
all the other great outdoor activities that Nexus makes
available to you (horseback riding, river rafting, sandboarding,
paragliding, etc.). And of course all the charms of Brazilian culture and Floripa in particular, such as
the warm and friendly people, incredible cuisine and
local seafood specialties, local customs and festivals,
and enchanting local atmosphere, are as omnipresent
as ever. Overall, these months are excellent for those
who don’t insist on tropically warm weather and
won’t miss laying out in the sun at the beach
each and every day, are comfortable with a slightly
less “electric” social scene (again, statements
with regard to nightlife slowing down must be taken
by Americans with a grain of salt, as anyone who parties
with Brazilians in even the calmest of circumstances
invariably walks away shaking their head wondering how
they manage to do it!), and are looking for the most
powerful swells and most consistent surf, a more low-key
atmosphere, and to enjoy the many other outdoor activities
Floripa offers. A final benefit is that Nexus’
“low season” pricing kicks in during these
months, so it is also a great time for those who are
looking to save some money while still having a fantastic
surf/adventure vacation.
August, September,
October: Springtime in Floripa
means a continued onslaught of powerful Atlantic
swells pounding the many surf spots on and around
the island, making epic surf sessions par for the
course. The weather begins to heat up gradually (average
highs – August:
69°, September: 70°, October: 73°), but
wetsuits are still necessary and lineups remain thin
as many Brazilians prefer to wait until things heat
up. September and October are generally windy months
in Floripa (wind picks up in the afternoons, ideal
for kitesurfers!), so the best surfing is normally
done before noon to 1pm. The atmosphere on the island
remains more low key than in the high summer season,
but nightlife and cultural events and festivals continue
on strong, particularly on weekends and holidays (and
rest assured Brazilians have lots of holidays, seemingly
one for just about every half famous person in the
history of the country!). For those sensitive to the
weather and looking for a tropical vacation, this is
not the best time to come to Floripa. Nor is it the
best time for those wanting to learn how to surf for
the first time, as swell intensity tends to be at its
strongest (though there are always beaches with gentler
swells somewhere on the island, so certainly not prohibitive
for beginners). In sum, this time of the year is great
for those who want powerful waves with less people
in the water and those looking for a calmer, more low
key atmosphere and who don’t
mind the weather being a bit less friendly. These months
close out Nexus’ “low season” pricing.
November, December: By mid-October the weather in Floripa is already heating
up, and with the kick-off of the WCT pro surf tour event
at the end of the month, the Floripa beach scene officially
launches back into full swing. The WCT event is a week
plus long festival that brings the worlds best surfers,
loads of fans and sponsors, as well as performers and
tag-alongs, to the island to celebrate one of its favorite
pastimes in full splendor. Much of the population of
the island attends the surf competitions, which are
generally heated and often come down to the wire (last
year’s Kelly Slater v. Andy Irons head to head
in nearby Imbituba was unforgettable). But the surfing
is just the start – the WCT brings sponsor events
and booths, special concerts and activities, and of
course the famed after-parties. With Nexus you will
have complete insider access to all the competition’s
events and parties. It’s not quite the Super Bowl,
but for those who love surfing, it is hard to match
the excitement in the air in Floripa during this time
of year, as the whole town that already lives and breaths
surfing year round goes into a frenzy. Watching the
world’s best surfers out on the water and being
able to surf the same breaks shortly after the competitions
end, and then seeing them out on the town at private
after-parties in the evenings is tough to beat. The
local beach scene picks up again in full swing as the
weather warms up (average highs – November: 76°,
December: 79°), as does the nightlife and the “vibe”
on the island. The wind can still occasionally pick
up in the afternoons, making pre-noon surf sessions
ideal (followed by lunch and afternoon siestas to gear
up for the night on the town, city/cultural exploration
or any number of Nexus’ other action sport options).
All in all, a fantastic time of the year to visit Floripa
as all its charms are at or nearing full bloom, ideal
for those looking for a good balance between great weather,
fun surf with tail end of the large swell season, classic
Brazilian nightlife and great social vibe on the island.
Who is Nexus
Surf?
Nexus Surf was founded to meet the growing
but as of yet unmet demand for high-end surf/adventure
travel to Brazil, one of the most exciting and exotic
travel destinations in the world. While there are
plenty of traditional “surf camps” around,
no one comes close to offering the array of options
that Nexus brings to the table. For Nexus, incredible
waves and mind-blowing surfing are just the beginning.
Having chosen Florianopolis as its home base, Nexus
is able to offer not only world-class surfing with
tons of variety and incredible consistency, but also
dining, nightlife and extreme sports options to rival
those found anywhere else in the world, all in a backdrop
of breathtaking natural beauty and exotic Brazilian
culture. Thus the concept of the Brazil Surf Experience™,
which is designed not only to be the ultimate surf
vacation, but in addition the chance to experience
the many wonders that Florianopolis and Brazilian
culture have to offer.
The competitive advantage that makes the
Brazil Surf Experience™ truly unique lies in
the strength of the Nexus team, each of whom are
110% dedicated to ensuring that your vacation with
us is everything you hoped for and more. With unparalleled
customer service and the goal of making each customer
feel as if they got a true insider’s view into
the best that this wonderful place has to offer as
pillars of our operating philosophy, it is no wonder
that Nexus clients tend to leave Florianopolis wearing
huge smiles and looking forward to come back for
more. The Nexus team includes:
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Hans
Keeling, Founder & Managing Director. An avid skateboarder, windsurfer and snowboarder
growing up as a youth in Marin County (Tiburon),
California, Hans discovered the sport of surfing
in 2004, something that would forever change
his life. Hans was at the time practicing corporate
law in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, building on a
career that included work experience in the
US, Europe and Asia with the international law
firm of Sullivan
& Cromwell during which he advised clients
in the execution of over $17 billion worth of
capital markets and M&A transactions. Looking
for new challenges and work that he would find
personally fulfilling, Hans made the decision
to follow his passion for adventure sports,
foreign cultures and travel, as well as a strong
entrepreneurial nature, and dedicate himself
to the launch of Nexus Surf. Hans oversees
all aspects of Nexus’
business, including operations, sales & marketing,
finance and legal, and is responsible for ensuring
that the overall customer experience exceeds
expectations in every way possible. Hans graduated
from Stanford University and UCLA Law School,
speaks fluent Portuguese and German, and resides
in Florianopolis
year round. Hans can be reached via email at hans@nexussurf.com. |
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João
Farias, Surf Director. João
was born and raised in Florianopolis and
has been surfing for over 13 years. As a
result, he knows all of the breaks and secret
spots on and around the island inside and
out and has developed a keen understanding
of how prevailing weather and current conditions
effect wave shape and quality at any given
location. After competing for several years
in regional surf competitions, João
took a break from the competitive surf circuit
to enroll in Florianopolis' well-known
private university Universidade Catarinense de
Ensino Superior, where he is currently in
the final year of completing his studies,
majoring in Marketing. Prior to entering
the university, João
lived and worked in Australia for over a year,
where he perfected his English while also
managing to sneak away to surf nearly the
entire Gold Coast. Thanks to international
surf trips to Indonesia, Chile and Hawaii,
as well as extensive travel to domestic
hot spots within Brazil, João
is extremely well traveled and has a great sense
for what travelers expect out of their surf
trip with Nexus. Thoughtful, intelligent
and articulate, João is well known
and respected in the Florianopolis
surf community, and very much enjoys the
thrill of interacting with surfers from
all over the world. João is responsible
for overseeing and training Nexus' staff
of surf guides, as well as organizing and
leading surf excursions himself. He also
assists with general operational matters,
web site development, and coordinating a
variety of logistical matters when clients
are in town. João can be reached
via email at joao@nexussurf.com. |
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Alexandre
“Xandinho” Fontes, Nightlife Director. Born and raised in Florianopolis, Xandinho
has surfed the island nearly his entire life.
In addition to surfing in much of Brazil, Xandinho
has traveled extensively, including several
trips to the United States, where he lived for
some time in the San Diego area, and surf excursions
to Baha, Mexico. After studying International
Business for some time in Florianopolis,
Xandinho decided to focus on what he loved
most
– surf, parties and event planning. Since
1997 Xandinho has worked at WQS and WCT pro
surf tour events throughout Brazil, working
with athletes, sponsors and event organizers
in a variety of capacities. Since 2001, Xandinho
has also been organizing parties and events
relating to these competitions. Xandinho seems
to know just about everyone in Florianopolis,
including restaurant, bar and club owners, and
his connections and relationships add greatly
to the VIP aspect of the Nexus Brazil Surf Experience™.
Xandinho was born with surfing in his blood – his
father is President of the Santa Catarina State
Surf Federation, served as a judge on the WCT
pro surf tour global circuit between 1986 and
1996, and, in addition to sitting on Florianopolis’ city
council, is one of the three principle organizers
of the WCT pro surf tour event that takes place
in Florianopolis
each year. Xandinho is responsible for organizing
and overseeing Nexus’ nightlife component
and regularly leads groups out on the town.
Xandinho also assists with various business
development matters, including partnership
formation with companies such as surfboard
manufacturers and local service providers,
and oversees the "Nexus
Divas", Nexus’ up-and-coming team
of Brazilian promotional models. Xandinho can
be reached at xandi@nexussurf.com. |
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Renata Asprino, Activities & Administrative
Director. Renata was born and raised
in São Paulo, the business and finance
capital of Brazil, where she lived until 2002.
While in São Paulo Renata studied International
Business and earned her postgraduate degree
in Business Administration at Fundação
Getulio Vargas, one of São Paulo’s
best respected universities. Upon graduation,
Renata traveled extensively throughout the
United States, South America, Europe, Africa
and Australia, spending significant time
in the US, Germany, Egypt, Israel, South
Africa and Denmark, where she was able to
perfect her English and German. Upon returning
to Brazil, Renata decided to follow a lifelong
passion for nature and outdoor activities
and move full time to Florianopolis, a
location that afforded her the chance to live
in a true nature lover’s paradise.
Here she developed a career in receiving
international tourists from around the
globe, showcasing the very best the island
has to offer and assisting in the organization
of all facets of their travel arrangements.
Extremely passionate about her work, a
fact which shows in all she does, Renata
has developed a specialty in eco-tourism,
which today forms an important part of
the Nexus experience. Full of positive
energy and incredibly knowledgeable about
the many diverse activities Florianopolis
has to offer, Renata oversees the planning
and execution of Nexus’ non surf-related
activities. Renata also uses her business
administration background to assist with
overseeing logistical matters, interfacing
with Nexus customers to ensure that their
vacation experience runs smoothly. When
not working, you'll most likely see Renata
on a nature hike, mountain biking, or discovering
a new waterfall or other natural wonder
in Florianopolis
to show future clients. Renata can be reached
at
renata@nexussurf.com |
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Ernesto
Hecker, Director of Surf Instruction. Originally from São Paulo, Ernesto
has surfed for over 20 years, including international
surf experience in California, Hawaii, Baja
Mexico and Australia. Growing up surfing some
of São
Paulo’s best known breaks such Ubatuba
and São Sebastião, Ernesto went
on to compete in a number of amateur surf tournaments. Moving to Florianopolis full time in 1999,
Ernesto enrolled at the Universidade Federal
de Santa Catarina, where he graduated with a
degree in Physical Education. Ernesto is a certified
surf instructor (Level III) with the Santa Catarina
Association of Surf Schools (Associação
Catarinense de Escolas de Surf) and is a registered
member of the Santa Catarina Surf Federation
(FECASURF), the Brazilian Surf Confederation
(Confederação
Brasileira de Surf) and the International Surfing
Association (I.S.A.). In addition, Ernesto
completed an intensive English-based instructor
training program (Surf Instructor Level II)
in Sydney, Australia at the Manly Surf School.
Ernesto is also a certified lifeguard and speaks
fluent English and Spanish. Ernesto is responsible
for Nexus’
beginner surfer curriculum and instruction program
and oversees a staff of 3 assistant professors,
each of whom are also certified surf instructors
and lifeguards. Ernesto can be reached at ernesto@nexussurf.com. |
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Maitê Ortega,
Assistant Director of Surf Instructor. Originally
from Porto Alegre, Maitê has lived in
Florianopolis since 1999. A passion for surfing
led Maitê to surf hotspots all along
the Brazilian coast, including the states of
Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Bahia, Aloagoas
and Pernambuco. Maitê is certified as
a professional surf instructor by the Santa
Catarina Association of Surf Schools (Associação
Catarinense de Escolas de Surf), the Brazilian
Surf Confederation (Confederação
Brasileira de Surf) and the International Surfing
Association (I.S.A.), and has completed courses
in water safety and first aid with the Santa
Catarina Lifeguard Association and the Red
Cross. Maitê graduated from the Universidade
Federal de Santa Catarina with a degree in
psychology, a background she uses to help prepare
surfers mentally to reach their maximum potential
physically out in the water. Maitê has
traveled extensively and speaks excellent English,
and also has experience as a deep sea diving
and sailing instructor. She can be reached
at maite@nexussurf.com. |
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Mauro
Filho, Wind and Kitesurf Director. Originally
from Recife in northeastern Brazil, Mauro
moved to Florianopolis in 1992. For over
two decades Mauro has dedicated himself to
wind and kitesurfing and is well respected
throughout Brazil as one of the pioneer athletes
and instructors in each sport. Through originally
trained as an electrical engineer, during
a 1994 windsurfing trip to Aruba Mauro decided
to make a career out of the sports he held
so dearly. Upon returning to Brazil, Mauro
founded a school for wind and kitesurfing
and began to perfect his teaching techniques,
which to date have successfully introduced
hundreds of new enthusiasts to the sports.
Each year Mauro takes time to travel the
Brazilian coast to scope out new wind and
kitesurf hotspots with his wife, currently
one of the top ranked female competitors
on the professional kitesurf circuit in Brazil.
Mauro provides lessons (for beginners) and
guided tours (for advanced wind and kitesurfers)
for Nexus clients, sharing the benefit of
his many years of experience teaching and
scouring the island of Florianopolis
and its surrounding areas (including world-renowned
wind-sport meccas Ibiraquera and Garopaba,
both within an easy hour or so drive from
Nexus’
homebase) for wind and kitesurf hotspots mauro@nexussurf.com. |
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Rodrigo
Gongola, General Operations. Born
and raised in the capital city of São
Paulo, Rodrigo studied at the well known PUC
university (Pontificia Universidade Catolica
de São Paulo),
majoring in Tourism. Rodrigo lived in London
in 2004-2005, taking advantage of being in
Europe and traveling extensively throughout
Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland while perfecting
his English. Prior to moving to Florianopolis definitively early 2006 in order to focus full
time on developing his career in the tourism
sector, Rodrigo played for an international
soccer club in São
Paulo. The youngest member of the Nexus team,
Rodrigo assists with a wide array of operational
matters to help ensure that
clients' experiences in Floripa
run as smoothly as possible. Rodrigo can be
reached at rodrigo@nexussurf.com |
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Tatiana Marques, Executive Director. Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Tatiana first came to Florianopolis in early 2005 and instantly fell in love with the culture, natural beauty and calm/safe environment on the island (a breath of fresh air after growing up Rio, one of South America’s best known but most dangerous mega-cities). Not long thereafter, Tatiana decided to move to Floripa full time in search of a better quality of life. From early on Tatiana played an integral role in the launch and growth of Nexus, and today oversees all aspects of Nexus’ “behind the scenes” operations, including human resources, billing and the interior design and appointments of Nexus’ accommodations. Additionally, Tatiana heads up the Nexus Divas modeling agency and calendar projects. Tatiana speaks Portuguese and English and has traveled throughout the US and Europe. She can be reached at tatiana@nexussurf.com. |
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Corporate:
Pete
Jozsi, Marketing Director. Pete grew
up in Chicago, Illinois and attended Indiana
University, where he graduated with a B.S.
in Biology. A die-hard surfer, Pete relocated
full time to San Diego in 1999 to be closer
to the ocean as well as to further his marketing
career, working for several life sciences
companies prior to accepting a position with
Invitrogen, an industry-leading multinational
biotech firm. Pete has spent the better part
of the last decade surfing throughout California
and Baja, in addition to logging trips to
Indonesia, Maldives, Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Hawaii, and of course his personal favorite,
Florianopolis. Pete brings over seven years
of product development and marketing experience
to Nexus, as well as a genuine passion for
surfing and surf travel, and heads up Nexus’ U.S.-based
marketing and brand-awareness efforts. His
extensive surf travel experience, which includes
visits to several traditional "surf
camp" destinations
arranged by Wavehunters and WaterWays, allows
Pete to provide key insights to maximize
and continually improve the Nexus customer
experience. Still
fine tuning his Portuguese, Pete is conversational
in Spanish, and currently lives in Del Mar,
California. Pete can be reached via email
at pete@nexussurf.com. |
Nexus
Surf links and partners page
Click
here for links to a variety of sites
that may be of interest.
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