This summer 2024/2025, Brazil is preparing to receive thousands of Argentine and Chilean tourists, who traditionally choose its beaches as a destination to enjoy the sun and the sea. However, the quality of the water on several of the most popular coasts has raised concerns, due to high levels of sea pollution in some areas. This situation has put both local authorities and travelers seeking to enjoy their vacations without health risks on alert.
Last year, several Argentine tourists suffered poisoning from gastrointestinal, respiratory and urinary diseases, related to the presence of the Escherichia coli bacteria in the water. This fact triggered a rapid response by the Brazilian government, which implemented the Blue Flag Program to certify the quality of the beaches. This international program, which has strict criteria established by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), evaluates water quality, bather safety, beach infrastructure and environmental management, among other aspects.
In this context, the Environmental Institute of Santa Catarina (IMA) has created an interactive map to inform tourists about what beaches are suitable for bathing and which ones present risks. According to this map, some of the beaches in the region, such as Araranguá, Garopaba and Imbituba, remain in good condition. However, in cities such as Florianópolis and Camboriú the situation is more alarming, with a significantly smaller number of beaches enabled to safely enjoy the water.
According to the latest measurements, Florianópolis only has 63 suitable beaches, while Camboriú has only 14. This disparity has generated uncertainty among tourists who plan to visit these areas and who depend on official recommendations to choose where to enjoy the sea. Despite pollution in some areas, the local government continues to work to improve water quality and protect both tourists and residents.
For tourists who wish to avoid the risks of pollution, the IMA website offers real-time updates on the status of the beaches in Santa Catarina. This transparency and monitoring effort seeks to ensure that visitors can enjoy a safe and healthy summer, while authorities continue their efforts to mitigate pollution and preserve marine ecosystems.
