24ª Travessia da Sepultura

Golden sand meets water so clear and still it resembles an open-air swimming pool at the enclosed cove of Praia da Sepultura. Here, the Travessia da Sepultura takes swimmers into the transparent coastal sea of Bombinhas, in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. Stretching across just ninety-five meters of shoreline, this pocket beach is naturally sheltered from heavy ocean swell, creating conditions where you can look straight through the surface as you stroke. Beneath this glass-calm surface lies an underwater surprise resting on the seabed. Anchored directly onto the ocean floor is an underwater sculpture titled Bio Vida III, created by the artist Pita Camargo as part of a submerged art gallery. For swimmers heading out into the bay, the artwork offers a rare underwater sight in the midst of open sea. Just beyond the sand along the rocky shoreline, an easy coastal trail winds outward to reveal a natural seawater swimming pool shaped by the rocks.

The Atlantic Forest and protected coastline of Bombinhas

Praia da Sepultura remains wrapped in lush Atlantic Forest, which surrounds the cove and lends the entire bay a tranquil, untouched atmosphere. The setting feels worlds away from busy resort strips, yet it forms only a small fragment of the surrounding peninsula. The municipality of Bombinhas encompasses thirty-nine distinct beaches, ranging from deep, protected inlets to wild open-sea stretches accessible solely by footpath or boat. This variety comes from a dramatic coastal geography of restinga scrub that faces different exposures of the sea. Ten of these wild shores lie preserved within the Municipal Natural Park of Zimbros Coast, a municipal conservation area that safeguards thick rainforest, coastal mangroves, and pristine sand. Environmental quality remains a defining feature of the wider peninsula, with international Blue Flag certifications awarded to five nearby beaches: Mariscal, Quatro Ilhas, Conceição, Prainha do Mariscal, and Tainha.

Seafront life along Sepultura

Reaching the shoreline is part of the easygoing coastal ritual. Access to the beach requires only a short, scenic walk along a trail starting at the end of Avenida das Garoupas. At the end of the path, swimmers and companions find a lively yet relaxed beachfront where small kiosks and restaurants serve food and cold drinks directly on the sand. For those spending the day by the water, the beach offers equipment rentals right by the shoreline, including snorkeling sets, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards to explore the calm cove at leisure.

Travessia da Sepultura: two days of December racing

Now holding a multi-decade heritage, the Travessia da Sepultura is organized by Travessias Bombinhas at Praia da Sepultura. The race weekend takes place across two days in December, greeting the arrival of the southern hemisphere's summer. Swimmers take to open sea waters that feel warm and inviting, offering mild conditions throughout the weekend without the sting of cold ocean currents. Race morning brings a quiet camaraderie as competitors gather. After the technical briefing at the main event arena, swimmers registered for the longer individual courses walk together along the path down to the starting line on Sepultura beach. Standing on the golden sand before plunging into the calm bay sets a focused, picturesque tone for the challenge ahead.

The competition program unfolds over the weekend with distances for every swimming profile. Saturday is dedicated to endurance, staging the 3,000-meter individual race alongside an energetic two-by-750-meter relay. Sunday rounds out the festival with a broad menu of courses, featuring a 1,500-meter race, 800-meter and 400-meter events, a 200-meter dash for children, and a specialized 800-meter division for athletes swimming with hand paddles and fins. It makes for a full celebration of sea swimming across one of Santa Catarina's most sheltered coastal gems.