Event
Navegantes Festival and Canoe Race
In early February, the festival of the fishers' patron saint has processions on land and at sea and the traditional Canoe Race on the central beach.
- When
- In February 2027
- Usually
- Every year around February 2, the feast of Our Lady of Navigators; the Canoe Race is usually on the Sunday morning of the festival and depends on the sea.
- Where
- Historic Center and central beach of Garopaba
Last edition: January 30, 2026 to February 2, 2026
Before planning your trip, check the date and program on the official website and social media of the event.
Official site (opens in a new tab) Official Instagram (@turismogaropaba) (opens in a new tab)
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What it is
Since 1921, Garopaba's fishers have celebrated Our Lady of Navigators (Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes), protector of the people of the sea, around February 2. The festival takes place in the Historic Center, around the São Joaquim Church, built in 1795, and on the central beach.
There are processions on land and at sea: the statue of the saint leaves a fishing shack on the central beach for the São Joaquim Church and then sails in decorated boats across the bay to the islet off Praia do Siriú and back, a trip of about an hour and a half, to be welcomed on the sand by the statue of Saint Joachim, the town's patron saint. For Afro-Brazilian religions, the date belongs to Iemanjá, celebrated with flowers and offerings to the sea.
The Canoe Race has been held since 1986: dugout canoes, the same ones used for mullet fishing, race 250 meters out at sea and, back on the sand, one crew member runs from the canoe to ring the bell. The fastest crew wins. About 120 fishers take part, as skippers, rowers and crew, each canoe representing its own community.
What to do
Follow the processions, watch the decorated boats in the sea procession and cheer at the Canoe Race, which in 2025 started at 9 am on the central beach, with trophies and medals for the top three and prize money shared among all canoes.
Points of interest
- Garopaba Historic Center: the processions around the São Joaquim Church, from 1795.
- Praia de Garopaba: the central beach, where the Canoe Race takes place.
- Fishing shacks: the saint's statue leaves from one of them in the procession.
- Vigia Beach: where the statue heads out to sea.
- Siriú Islet: where the sea procession goes.
- Historic Center Viewpoint: to watch the boats in the bay from above.
Tips
The Canoe Race depends on the sea: if conditions are not safe, it moves to another date. Check the program on the city hall's social media close to the festival.
The procession is an act of faith: follow it respectfully, without blocking the faithful, and ask before taking close-up photos. For a view of the boats in the bay from above, the Historic Center Viewpoint is a short walk from the church.
Dates and programs may change: check with the organizers before going.
Source: Prefeitura de Garopaba (portal de notícias) (opens in a new tab).
