Maratona Aquática Balneário de Piçarras

Two stone breakwaters project into the South Atlantic at Balneário Piçarras, creating a sheltered marine arena along the northern coast of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The Maratona Aquática Balneário de Piçarras takes advantage of this natural coastal design, sending swimmers into calm open ocean waters during the southern hemisphere summer. Sliding into the sea here means swimming in an Atlantic bay flanked by rock jetties where the water feels mild and inviting from the very first stroke.

The race course between the breakwaters of Balneário Piçarras

The competition gathers swimmers in February right onto the sand at the end of Getúlio Vargas Avenue, setting its starting arch just beside the pier. From this beachhead, organizer Correr E Nadar provides a spread of four course lengths to accommodate different levels of open water experience, spanning sprints of 200 meters and 600 meters up to endurance distances of 2,000 meters and 4,000 meters. Each participant lines up on the sand before running directly into the gentle shore break. The entire swim course unfolds between the coastal breakwaters, turning the sea into a protected stadium where spectators can line the stone structures to watch the race from an elevated angle.

From the rocks, supporters shout and track the pack stroke for stroke as swimmers navigate the corridor toward the turn markers. In past editions, water records have demonstrated warm, balmy conditions throughout mid-summer, meaning competitors race without the buoyancy or insulation of wetsuits, which are strictly prohibited. Swimming in standard suits allows you to experience the natural temperature and salinity of the Atlantic unobstructed. Because the event takes place in the open ocean, conditions remain subject to natural shifts in wind, rain, surface chop, and coastal currents that can alter the day's conditions. Safety on the water is reinforced throughout the entire circuit, with clear inflatable buoys guiding navigation while a dedicated flotilla of support boats, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards patrols alongside the field. Swimmers can focus entirely on pacing and rhythm, knowing spotters are stationed until the final dash back to the beach.

Praia de Piçarras: Blue Flag sands and coastal dynamics

The event is anchored by the Praia de Piçarras, a two-kilometer sweep of ocean sand that defines the municipality's central oceanfront. Along this shoreline, visitors and athletes easily spot the Árvore Torta, an unusual, naturally twisted tree that serves as a well-known meeting point and geographical landmark along the sand. Walking the beach reveals a broad, open horizon where the gentle swell meets a bustling yet relaxed beach community. The entire oceanfront of Balneário Piçarras carries international Blue Flag certification, a distinction that validates rigorous environmental management, high water quality, and well-maintained seaside infrastructure. For visiting open water swimmers, this certification guarantees clean, monitored waters and clean sand underfoot. The beach profile itself reflects ongoing coastal dynamics and specialized environmental study. Research conducted by the Federal University of Santa Catarina evaluated local beach nourishment projects along the Central Beach, noting how artificial sand replenishment has interacted with shoreline currents to influence local erosion patterns.

Molhe Turístico and the whaling roots of Itapocorói

At the mouth of the Piçarras River stands the Molhe Turístico, a 200-meter stone jetty fitted with walkways and wooden benches that reach out into the Atlantic. The structure serves as a favorite destination for shoreline strolls and recreational fishing, offering sweeping panoramic views over the ocean. The maritime settlement of this coastline traces back to 1777, when Portuguese fishermen founded a historic whaling station at nearby Itapocorói, seeding the earliest European communities in the district. Over the centuries, the community shifted away from whaling toward artisan fishing, establishing deep coastal traditions that endure today. Outside the bustling summer vacation season, the municipality returns to an unhurried pace, mirroring the peaceful atmosphere of an old-fashioned fishing village.

Museu Oceanográfico Univali beside the Atlantic bay

Just beyond the beachfront, Balneário Piçarras hosts the Oceanographic Museum of Univali, an institution of international stature. It ranks as the largest oceanographic museum in Latin America and the second largest facility of its kind in the entire world, housing an immense scientific collection of regional and oceanic biodiversity. Inside its exhibition halls, visitors encounter an extraordinary showcase of marine life that complements the morning swim in the bay. The museum features the only great white shark jaw on public display anywhere in Brazil, providing a rare glimpse into the apex predators that inhabit the deeper waters of the open ocean. Exploring the museum caps off a race weekend dedicated to discovering the marine character and coastal heritage of Santa Catarina.