Serra do Tabuleiro State Park

O Tabuleiro Mountain Range State Park (PAEST) It is a jewel of Santa Catarina's biodiversity, established in 1975 based on research conducted by renowned botanists Father Raulino Reitz and Roberto Miguel Klein. Its purpose is to preserve not only the richness of the flora and fauna, but also the precious water resources of the region. Covering approximately 11,000 hectares of the territory of Santa Catarina, PAEST extends through the municipalities of... Florianópolis, Palhoça, Santo Amaro da Imperatriz, Águas Mornas, São Bonifácio, São Martinho, Imaruí, Paulo Lopes and Garopaba. Furthermore, it includes the islands of Siriú, Cardos, Largo, Andrade, and Coral, as well as the archipelagos of Três Irmãs and Moleques do Sul, making it the largest fully protected Conservation Unit in the state of Santa Catarina.

The park's name derives from the imposing Serra do Tabuleiro mountain range, whose tabular-shaped summit is a notable and visible feature of the Greater Florianópolis region. This area harbors a unique diversity of habitats and plant formations, representing five of the six main formations of the Atlantic Forest biome in Santa Catarina. Thus, PAEST holds a surprising biodiversity that transcends its 84,130 hectares.

Along the coastline, where the marine influence is felt, lie the restinga and mangrove formations. In the heart of the PAEST (Serra do Tabuleiro State Park), the Dense Ombrophilous Forest, with its abundance of epiphytic plants and wildlife, dominates the landscape. At higher altitudes, the mysterious cloud forest emerges shrouded in mist, while the higher areas shelter the Mixed Ombrophilous Forest, also known as Araucaria Forest, and the high-altitude grasslands. Each ecosystem reveals a distinct fauna and flora, with unique dominant species. The coastal islands included in the Conservation Unit also possess unique characteristics. This profusion of species and vegetation, some virtually untouched, solidifies the Serra do Tabuleiro State Park as one of the greatest treasures of Santa Catarina, playing an essential role in the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity.

Also noteworthy is the protection of thousands of springs, crucial for the surrounding regions, such as the headwaters of the Vargem do Braço, Cubatão, Madre, and D'Una rivers, which provide high-quality water to more than 1 million inhabitants in Greater Florianópolis and the southern coast of the state. Due to its unique soil, topography, and vegetation characteristics, the Park plays a vital role as a climate regulator in these areas.

Within the boundaries of the Park, in the municipality of Palhoça, lies the Baixada do Maciambu, a plain that displays one of the most remarkable coastal restinga landscapes on the Brazilian coast. This region, with its semicircular sand ridges shaped by thousands of years of sea level fluctuations, is considered an important geological monument in southern Brazil. Due to its unique and representative characteristics, the Serra do Tabuleiro State Park is an unparalleled field of research. Located near large urban centers, the Park has vast potential for public use and leisure activities, where ecotourism intertwines with environmental education and the sustainable development of local communities.

The park's headquarters, located in the municipality of Palhoça, Located in the Baixada do Massiambu region, the Visitor Center boasts a fully equipped facility, including an auditorium, administrative offices, an exhibition hall with an osteological collection, a kitchen, and restrooms. The Visitor Center serves as a starting point for easy-level educational trails, providing opportunities to observe the rich flora of the Baixada do Massiambu restinga ecosystem, explore the geological monument of the sand dunes, spot local fauna and their remains, and gain insights into the ecological and cultural aspects of the region. In addition to the trails, visitors can enjoy a panoramic viewpoint, a leisure area suitable for picnics, and the Casa Açoriana, a century-old building where workshops, educational activities, and special events take place.

Come explore this giant of biodiversity and discover the unique beauty of the Serra do Tabuleiro State Park!

Recommendations: The Visitor Center does not have restaurants or snack bars, therefore, it is advisable that visitors bring their own food and drinks. Visitors are recommended to be prepared for the outdoor experience, bringing insect repellent, sunscreen, and closed-toe shoes to ensure comfort and safety during their visit. It is important to note that pets are not allowed in the Park, thus ensuring the preservation and tranquility of the local fauna.

Distance from Florianopolis: 41.7 km