Meia Praia's waterfront gained a new skyline feature in 2026. At the entrance to Píer Oporto, on the border between Itapema and Porto Belo, the It! Wheel observation wheel is fully assembled, has already turned during testing and is in the final stretch before opening to the public. It is the kind of attraction that changes how residents and visitors see the city, quite literally from above.
The It! Wheel in numbers
- 60 metres tall, with panoramic views of the Itapema and Porto Belo beachfronts.
- 30 air-conditioned cabins, each seating six people.
- A ride of about 18 minutes.
- Reported investment of R$ 60 million, a figure updated by the operator in June, up from the R$ 50 million planned at the start.
- Built by Juma Rides, the manufacturer behind observation wheels in several countries, including the Roda Rico in São Paulo.
The structure is steel and modular, with concrete used only in the foundations and floors. Boarding takes place on the second floor, with a covered queue and automatic photo booths.
From assembly to testing
The project moved through clear milestones during 2026. First came the main rim, the steel ring that carries the whole rotation system. Then the wheel turned for the first time during testing. In July the 30 cabins were installed, and work moved on to finishes and the electrical and mechanical systems.
A night show is also on the way: the It! Wheel will carry around 21,000 LED lights able to display images and animations, with one face towards the Itapema waterfront and the other towards Porto Belo. The operator plans a calendar of special lighting displays throughout the year.
When it opens
The opening is scheduled for December 2026, according to the operator, in time for the summer season. The official website announces ticket pre-sales from November. The wheel already has a mascot, too: Astro Nik, an astronaut who chose Itapema as home and will host families and children.
What the wheel means for the region
Anchor attractions like this extend the tourist calendar beyond summer, draw visitors from other cities and strengthen local business. The It! Wheel joins Píer Oporto, opened in December 2025, and the planned footbridge over the Perequê River, creating a leisure hub right on the border between the two cities.
For residents, it is one more outing close to home. For investors, it is tourism infrastructure that supports demand for homes near the beach and for holiday rentals in Itapema and in Perequê, Porto Belo.
Talk to Velaris
Velaris follows the latest news on the Emerald Coast closely. If you want to live or invest near the new attractions of Itapema and Porto Belo, talk to our team on WhatsApp.
Looking to live or invest on the Emerald Coast?
Talk to our team and get a selection of properties that fits your goal.
Sources
- It! Wheel: official website
- NSC Total: the wheel completes cabin installation and investment reaches R$ 60 million
- NSC Total: the wheel turns for the first time during testing
- NSC Total: 21,000 LED lights on the Itapema wheel
- Folha do Estado SC: Astro Nik and opening planned for December 2026
- O Município: modular structure built by Juma Rides
Licensed broker: Valter Fernandes · CRECI/SC 37.128
