A footbridge over the Perequê River will link Porto Belo and Itapema

Anyone who walks the waterfront between Porto Belo and Itapema knows where the path ends: the mouth of the Perequê River, which separates Perequê beach from Meia Praia. That stretch is getting a permanent link. The project for a footbridge over the river already has official images, defined dimensions and a team in charge of building it.

What the footbridge will look like

• 65 metres long over the Perequê River.
• About 3.5 metres wide, for pedestrians and cyclists.
• A direct link between Balneário Perequê in Porto Belo and Meia Praia in Itapema.
• An estimated six months of construction, according to NSC Total.

The structure sits right next to Píer Oporto and the It! Wheel observation wheel, and was designed to offer more safety, comfort and accessibility to people moving between the two cities.

Who is building it

The work will be carried out by the companies behind Píer Oporto (MayBelly Incorporadora, Pantanal Negócios Imobiliários, R7 Participações and RGS Engenharia). It is part of an agreement signed with the Santa Catarina Public Prosecutor's Office and the City of Itapema, which provides at least R$ 6.5 million in compensation and community projects in both cities. The first official images of the footbridge were released at the end of July.

Why this link matters

Connecting Porto Belo and Itapema is a long-standing wish on the Emerald Coast, and it gained momentum with the opening of Píer Oporto, which brought more residents and tourists to the mouth of the Perequê. With the footbridge, the two cities' waterfronts work as one continuous promenade, on foot or by bike.

In practice:

• Mobility: Perequê residents can walk to Meia Praia, and the other way round.
• Tourism: the pier, the wheel and both beaches become a single route.
• Business: more foot traffic for restaurants, shops and services on both sides.
• Waterfront quality: a stretch people used to pass through gains leisure-oriented infrastructure.

What it means for residents and investors

The mouth of the Perequê River now concentrates some of the region's most anticipated projects. Homes in Perequê and at the start of Meia Praia will have, a few steps away, a pier with dining and services, an observation wheel and a walking link to the neighbouring city. That mix of infrastructure and leisure underpins demand for housing and holiday rentals in these areas.

Talk to Velaris

Velaris works in Porto Belo and Itapema and follows every project that is transforming the Emerald Coast. Talk to our team on WhatsApp to explore the opportunities in both cities.

Licensed broker: Valter Fernandes · CRECI/SC 37.128