Travessia de Inverno — São Francisco do Sul

The water here carries a weight of history that reaches far beneath the surface. As you navigate the sheltered waters of Praia da Enseada, you are swimming through the same channel where, in 1504, the French navigator Binot Paulmier de Gonneville ended a grueling six-month voyage from Honfleur. History tells us that he and his crew, supported by the local Carijó chief Arosca, erected a 35-foot wooden cross on a nearby hill to mark their arrival and solidify a bond with the indigenous people who had inhabited these shores for over a millennium. While the landscape has evolved, the connection to the sea remains constant; the Babitonga Bay itself spans over 150 square kilometers, with depths plunging to 28 meters in the main shipping channel to accommodate the heavy maritime traffic that still defines this region today.

Navigating the Bay

During your swim, keep a watchful eye for the toninha, a rare small cetacean native to these waters. These dolphins are closely monitored by conservation groups due to the fragility of their estuarine habitat, and encountering one is a rare, quiet reminder of the biodiversity protected within this massive mangrove complex. As you round the markers, look toward the horizon for the Ilha da Paz Lighthouse, a sentinel that has long guided vessels entering the bay and provides a fixed navigational point throughout your effort. The Travessia de Inverno, organized by Correr E Nadar, is an annual event that challenges participants across 600m and 2000m distances. The entry fee is 220 BRL if registered by August 6th, increasing to 250 BRL thereafter. Please note that while wetsuits are allowed, the event requires strict adherence to safety protocols; you must wear the official race cap provided in your kit, and the timing chip—which must be returned at the finish line—carries a 100 BRL replacement fee if lost. If you find yourself enjoying this specific, sheltered stretch of coastline, you might also consider the Semana da Marinha SOAMAR held later in the year, or join the field for the Enseada São Francisco do Sul to further explore the local waters. The environment here is dynamic, influenced by the Atlantic Forest biome of the nearby Acaraí State Park, and the event schedule is always subject to the sea's conditions on race morning.