Bombinhas is a small municipality on a peninsula on the Santa Catarina coast, between Florianópolis and Balneário Camboriú. Unlike the open surf beaches further south, its bays are sheltered and the water is calm and clear, which makes it one of the most popular places in southern Brazil for snorkelling and diving.
The Reserva Biológica Marinha do Arvoredo, a marine reserve around a group of islands offshore, is the main dive destination, with groupers, turtles and rich rock reefs. On shore, Bombas and Bombinhas beaches are family-friendly, Mariscal is long and open, and small coves such as Sepultura and Retiro dos Padres, reached on short trails, are good for snorkelling straight from the beach.
Bombinhas gets very crowded in summer and charges an environmental tax on vehicles entering the peninsula in high season. Out of season it is peaceful and much cheaper.