Praia do Matadeiro is Feng’s favourite beach on Santa Catarina Island.

I get it.

Picture a curved, sheltered stretch of sand surrounded by lush hills. Picture a tropical paradise and calm water. Picture a lively atmosphere with people-watching opportunities that will keep you entertained for hours.

This is Praia do Matadeiro on Santa Catarina Island.

Now, what you probably can’t picture is the fun way to get there.

Praia do Matadeiro is hidden behind Praia da Armação—nothing wrong with this beach, by the way, but the surf is rough and it’s not an easy stroll, your feet sink into the sand.

There’s a river mouth between both beaches. It’s relatively easy to walk across at low tide but much trickier when it’s high tide and when you’re carrying things that don’t like water, such as phones and cameras. Oh, there’s a bridge a bit further but few people take it—half of the fun is showing off your river-crossing skills.

Once on the other side, you’ll have to follow a narrow trail up and down the hill, then up and down another hill, possibly a third—yes, it depends on the tide again.

You’ll get there, eventually. There’s no car access, no way to cheat.

It’s not the destination, it’s the journey… but here, the destination is very rewarding as well!