Jocca

If you are really up for some fun, you can try out a touch of sandboarding - which is the most fun I have had with my clothes on for some time. Locals will show you how to use the boards and will hire boards cheaply.

Hoof it over to Mole for lunch where the crowd is definitely a little bit younger and 'up for some action'. Check out the legendary Quiosque da Mole which mixes heavenly therapeutic fruit juices. And then, once suitably lubricated its time to hot foot it over to Galheta where you can observe naked Brazilians (not for the faint hearted I can tell you). It's a bit of a gay paradise so more sensitive readers may give this bit of my tour a miss. But it does raise the question of where they keep their car keys.

Day Two

Mocambique

Mocambique. No, not the African country notoriously famous for having more landmines than Imelda Marcos has shoes, but the longest beach on the isle and has good surf.

Once you get bored of surfing and laying on the beach, head off to the local animal hospital where penguins, toucans and other birds are rehabilitated before being released into the wild. All good clean ecological fun.

Praia do Santinho

From there you can walk along the coast to Praia do Santinho where you can see some pre-historic inscriptions and then continue on towards Praia dos Ingleses (The belief is that this beach is called "Beach of the English" because there has shipwrecked a great English ship) which is a seething mass of drunken humanity all out to drink gallons of icy cold beer, exhibit their tanned bodies and have a good time. Those feeling flush may like to have a meal at the Le Bom Vivant.

Day Three
Spend the first part of the day getting to know Praia Brava which is described in the tourist blurb as "confined between the sea and the steep shore where, on arrival, there is a magnificent view of the whole beach. The wild sea with strong waves is great for the practice of surfing and the bright clear waters excellent for diving. There are high standard condos with tennis courts, paddle courts, swimming pools, and play grounds as well as hotels, bars, and restaurants of great level."

Close by is Ponta de Canas which is a more mellow area which has gentle waves and a great family destination. It's also a great place to rent a jet ski and spend the morning whizzing around and scaring the crap out of little kids. Have lunch at a beach-side bar where the oysters will be fresh and cheap then hoof it over to Casa Acoriana which sells the essential tourist tat.

Day Four
Head on over to Canasvieras where the sand will be packed with groups of bikini-clad Argentines and Uruguayans. Spend the morning eyeing up the classy Uruguayans and the snotty Argentine girls before heading off on a booze cruise around the coast. A good company to try is Scuna Central (048 266 1810) which offers a five hour trip round the bay and the outer lying islands.

Day Five
Head down south to Armaco whose name means a "trap for whales". The tourist office told me that "It is one of the island's main craftsmanlike fishing nucleus; one of the state's most important archaeological sights is located there as well. With medium sized waves, it is a fairly safe beach for bathing. There are very popular seafood restaurants located around the square where the centennial Azorian Chapel stands out".

ie: It's a good place to hang out, watch the local fishermen and eat some seafood.

Pântano do Sul

In the afternoon, head over to Lagoinha do Leste which is "located between the beaches of Pântano do Sul and Matadeiro. It can be reached by boat or on foot, trekking for about 45 minutes. The beach is small and at its end there is a little lagoon with clear and warm waters appropriate for swimming. There are no facilities. A good option for eco tourism."

Day Six
Head out towards Campeche and impress everyone by knowing that "There is an airplane runway, where between the years of 1926 and 1939, the French writer and aviator Saint-Exupery used to make stops where the southern mail service operated."

The little lagoons Lagoinha da Chica and Lagoinha Pequena stand out as ecological reserves dammed on the east side by a strip of stable dunes with low growing vegetation spreading out along the beach which is well provided in terms of bars and restaurants. Close to here you can also see some strange inscriptions which are believed to be 2000 years old. Try to get a dive in here as Campeche is famed for some of the world's best diving. The local dive center (048 224 8333) should be able to sort you out.

Day Seven
Have a stroll in the center of town and ogle at the lovely colonial buildings. Of course, you will need to dodge the overly aggressive money changers and phone card vendors but it really is worth the effort. Stop and have a beer in the lovely central market and then relax under the huge fig tree in Praca XV de Novembre whilst you watch the world go by.

Questions?
If you want more information about this area you can email the author or check out our South America Insiders page.