IRONMAN 70.3 Florianópolis
Florianópolis (Jurerê Internacional from 2026), Brazil · October · IRONMAN 70.3
Why people love it
- Fast, nearly flat single-loop bike; the 2018 winner rode 2:03:04
- Ocean around 22 °C (71 °F), in the comfortable range
- 93.69% athlete approval in a 2023 organiser survey
- Beach island venue; 2025 was the Latin American Championship
Watch out for
- The 2026 move to Jurerê Internacional means the course is unproven
- Open-sea surf: the 2024 swim was cancelled for weather
- Tile paving on the run and wind on open bike stretches
- Bring your own bike; rentals are rare and trucked bikes were stranded in 2019
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 27% of the overall score.
- Racer satisfactionLoved4.0
A 2023 organiser survey reported 93.69% approval and the race won awards, but that is self-reported and the 2026 venue is new. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.0
The Brazilian operator rates well in surveys and the 2024 weather swim cancellation drew no major complaint. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly3.8
A fast, flat course and comfortable sea, but open-ocean surf and tiled run surfaces. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast4.2
A practically flat bike, a 2:03 winning split in 2018 and mild weather. · Medium confidence
- Course easeModerate3.8
Fast, flat and mild; the sea is the variable. · Medium confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalUsually4.0
Water averages about 22 °C (71 °F), under the 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) cut-off, and locals expect wetsuits. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureIdeal4.5
About 22 °C (71 °F), in the comfortable 19 to 23 °C (66 to 73 °F) band. · Medium confidence
- Calm waterSome chop3.0
Open sea with breakers and some current; the 2024 swim was cancelled for weather, the first in 24 years. · Medium confidence
- Swim easeModerate3.0
Surf entry and open-sea navigation, though a local says it settles past the breakers. · Medium confidence
- Swim experienceGreat3.7
Beach start in the sea, with sun glare on the first leg. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceGood4.0
The SC-401 is praised for excellent asphalt. · Medium confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed3.7
Highway course with traffic changes announced, but detail is limited. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful4.1
Island and coast scenery, which organisers call scenic. · Medium confidence
- WindSome wind3.0
Athlete tips warn of wind in the tunnel and open stretch beyond it. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedFast4.2
Described as scenic and extremely fast on a flat 90 km (56 mi) loop. · Medium confidence
- Bike flatnessMostly flat4.0
Practically flat with light overpasses; elevation gain is not published. · Low confidence
- Bike simplicityMostly simple3.8
A single highway loop with a neighbourhood start section. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong3.9
Local tips mention big early crowds and a quiet stretch past the tunnel. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.9
Standard IRONMAN aid, with no complaints. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful4.2
Three loops along the beaches. · Medium confidence
- Run conditionsModerate3.4
Tile paving at the turns and a warm day, per a 2019 racer. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessMostly flat4.1
Beachfront run was flat in 2019; the Jurerê course is not yet documented. · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant4.4
Highs of 19 to 25 °C (66 to 77 °F), lows of 15 to 19 °C (59 to 66 °F). · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.2
Rain and a cancelled swim in 2024; otherwise mild. · Medium confidence
- Venue beautyLovely4.3
Beach island setting with hills and sea. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy3.9
Three-loop beach run and local crowds. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level4.9
Island at sea level, about 5 m (16 ft). · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityBook early3.3
Jurerê is upmarket, though Florianópolis has a flat-rental market. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.0
Jurerê is the island's wealthiest beach, so rates may be high. · Low confidence
- WalkabilitySome driving3.4
Not yet documented for Jurerê. · Low confidence
- Travel easeEasy3.5
State capital airport on the island, with international links via São Paulo. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSome complexity3.3
The venue change and bike-shipping delays in 2019 add uncertainty. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood4.2
Florianópolis is a major beach tourist destination. · Medium confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Florianópolis (Jurerê Internacional from 2026), Santa Catarina, Brazil
- Typical month
- October
- Latest or next date
- 18 October 2026
- Organiser
- IRONMAN 70.3
- Field size
- About 1,800 athletes
- Entry fee
- About $478
- Distances
- 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 90 km (56 mi) bike, 21.1 km (13.1 mi) run
- Cutoffs
- Swim 1:10, Finish 8:00
- Swim venue
- Ocean, Jurerê Internacional (2026); Praia dos Ingleses beach (to 2025) (ocean)
- Water temperature
- 22 °C (72 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Optional
- Swim laps
- 1
- Bike laps
- 1
- Key climbs
- Short first hill leaving Ingleses; Light town overpasses
- Run laps
- 3
- Run shade
- Not documented
- Air temperature
- 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
- Humidity
- Humid subtropical
- Altitude
- 5 m (16 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Florianópolis-Hercílio Luz (FLN)
- Where to stay
- Jurerê Internacional
- Booking
- 2019 forum: affordable beachfront flats available; Jurerê is the island's upmarket area so prices may be higher.
What racers and reviewers say
- Slowtwitch forum (2019 thread)Raced 2019 · forum · Positive
Two locals say the swim is usually calm, wetsuits very likely, the bike relatively flat with short hills and the run flat but hot. They advise bringing your own bike (a trucker strike stranded shipped bikes) and note many affordable flats on the beach.
“nice and easy”
- NSC Total (triathlete tips, 2024)Raced 2024 · article · Mixed
Local athlete tips: open-sea swim can have current and waves so practise the day before; dive through the surf; SC-401 has excellent asphalt; the bike is nearly flat; a windy open stretch past the tunnel has little crowd; run is mostly tile paving.
- NSC Total (2024 swim cancelled)Raced 2024 · article · Negative
Reports the swim was cancelled for weather, the first time in 24 years, and the bike was run in rain with attention requested for safety.
- Unlimited Sports / NSC survey (2023 approval)Raced 2023 · survey · Positive
Organiser survey says the Florianópolis 70.3 won awards for best race, best bike and most recommended race in the Americas with 93.69% approval, against 89.81% average for Brazilian IRONMAN events. Self-reported by the organiser.
- Slowtwitch race report (2018)Raced 2018 · article · Positive
Pro race recap: the bike was described as flat and fast, with Igor Amorelli going 2:03:04 on the bike for a 3:46:47 win and Pamella Oliveira winning in 4:23:04.
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- Unlimited Sports (2025 Latin American Championship)Raced 2025 · article · Positive
Organiser preview calling the single-loop bike scenic and extremely fast; prize purse US$50,000 and slots for the 2026 World Championship. The 2025 edition drew about 1,800 athletes from 20 countries and set course records.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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