D/verse, a development in Praia Brava, Florianópolis
R$ 2,190,000
Celebrities who sail: 8 names who found their place at sea.
Among the celebrities who sail, Some have crossed the Atlantic, competed for Olympic medals, and even traded a television career for life aboard a boat. Morgan Freeman learned to sail before becoming one of Hollywood's biggest names. Martine Grael grew up among boats and reached the top of world sport. Max Fercondini, on the other hand, found in sailing a completely different way to see the world.
Sailing has also won over Kate Middleton, Jeremy Irons, and Zac Efron, each in their own unique way. More recently, Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds have taken their on-screen rivalry to the high-speed catamarans of SailGP.
The interest of so many celebrities in the sport reveals a charm that goes beyond the landscapes. Sailing demands knowledge, attention, and a willingness to engage with nature. In return, it offers something difficult to find in busy schedules: hours when the wind dictates the pace and the horizon holds all attention.
In Florianópolis, this relationship with the sea is also part of life. From Lagoa da Conceição to the waters of Jurerê and Baía Norte, the island has a nautical tradition that allows people to transform their passion for sailing into a habit, with their boat close to home and the next outing always on the horizon.
Celebrities who sail: stories that go beyond boat trips.
1. Morgan Freeman: the actor who learned to navigate on his own.
Morgan Freeman began sailing in 1967 during a visit to friends in Vermont, in the United States. His first experience was far from elegant: not knowing how to steer the boat, he spent much of the trip trying to avoid trees and sandbanks.
Nevertheless, he emerged from that adventure determined to continue.
Three years later, he bought his first sailboat, a 28-foot vessel. Freeman had never taken formal sailing lessons and decided to study astronomical navigation on his own, learning to orient himself by the position of the stars.
His dedication led him to sail through Maine, Bermuda, and Nova Scotia. In 1986, while his film career was gaining momentum, the actor was already dreaming of longer trips through the Mediterranean and South America.
The contrast is fascinating: a man who spent his days playing characters and, in his free time, longed to take command of his own ship.
His history with navigation was recorded in an interview with... The Washington Post, published in 1986. Decades later, it remains one of the best-known examples of a genuine passion for sailing.
2. Martine Grael: two gold medals and a life dedicated to water and wind.
For Martine Grael, sailing is part of her family history. Daughter of Torben Grael, one of the biggest names in Brazilian sailing, she grew up surrounded by boats and competitions. However, she has built a career that needs no introduction given her surname.
Alongside Kahena Kunze, she won Olympic gold in the 49erFX class at the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016 and the Tokyo Games in 2021.
The partnership demanded absolute harmony. In a small, fast boat, every movement influences balance, direction, and speed. The result was one of the most successful pairings in the recent history of Brazilian sailing.
Martine also decided to explore another dimension of the sport: the F50 catamarans of SailGP, capable of reaching speeds far superior to those of traditional Olympic boats.
In 2025, she became the first woman to pilot an F50 in the competition, leading the Brazilian team. Her time with the team ended in September 2026. A few days later, however, she returned to the water as a pilot for the United States team in the Geneva round, in a specific participation for the event.
At the time, she shared the boat with Anna Weis, forming the first all-female duo to compete in the same F50 at the SailGP.
Martine's story has the strength of someone who has known the sea since childhood and continues to seek new challenges. Between medals, regattas, and high-tech boats, sailing remains at the center of her life.
3. Kate Middleton: British tradition and competitive spirit
Kate Middleton's relationship with sailing gained international attention in August 2019, during the King's Cup on the Isle of Wight, in southern England.
In the regatta, Kate and Prince William captained different boats in a competition organized to raise awareness for eight charities.
The competition took place in the classic setting of British nautical tradition: boats lined up for the start, crews working together, and a coastline known for its long history of sailing.
Kate actively participated in the competition, demonstrating familiarity with the dynamics of a regatta. And the experience revealed a sporty side of the princess that often appears in other outdoor activities as well.
Sailing holds a special place in British culture, both as a sport and as a family tradition. In this context, the King's Cup brought together competition, camaraderie, and social commitment in a single event.
For Kate, it was yet another opportunity to exchange institutional commitments for an activity that requires concentration and direct participation.
4. Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds: Deadpool and Wolverine on the High Seas
Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds have turned their well-known, good-natured rivalry into a showdown over the water.
In June 2025, the actors became co-owners of the Australian team BONDS Flying Roos, a participant in the SailGP. This involvement brought them closer to one of the most spectacular forms of contemporary sailing.
The F50 catamarans utilize hydrofoils that allow the hulls to be raised above the water, reducing drag and achieving impressive speeds.
In September 2026, the actors finally tested this technology in Valencia, Spain.
Jackman boarded the Australian F50, while Reynolds joined the Canadian NorthStar crew. The custom helmets referenced Wolverine and Deadpool, adding a dose of humor to the competition.
Reynolds won the confrontation.
The race was short-lived, but it yielded a memorable image: two Hollywood stars in high-performance boats, with the Mediterranean as a backdrop.
It's a different relationship from that of sailors who have spent decades completing crossings. Even so, the actors' participation highlights how SailGP is bringing sailing closer to audiences interested in technology, sport, and entertainment.
5. Max Fercondini: when the sailboat becomes an address
Max Fercondini took his passion for travel to an unconventional level: he decided to live aboard a sailboat.
After building a career as an actor and presenter, he began dedicating more time to expeditions and personal projects. The sea became a central part of this choice.
With the project On the Waves, He sailed the Mediterranean, discovering communities, landscapes, and stories that would hardly fit into a traditional itinerary.
Life on board, however, also demands discipline. It's necessary to keep track of weather forecasts, plan refueling, take care of maintenance, and adapt your routine to navigation conditions.
Fercondini experienced this demanding side of the sea firsthand. During an Atlantic crossing, he reported facing waves of approximately six meters.
Nevertheless, he continued sailing.
His journey is noteworthy because the vessel has ceased to be just a vacation destination. It has become a home, a means of transport, and a starting point for new experiences.
Among Brazilian celebrities linked to sailing, Fercondini represents a particularly interesting life choice: bridging the gap between the desire to travel and the freedom to set sail.
6. Jeremy Irons: From his first boat to ocean crossings
Jeremy Irons learned to sail at the age of five. Since then, he has kept the sport as a part of his life, even during the most intense periods of his career in film and theater.
In 2001, he decided to take on a different challenge: participating in a leg of a round-the-world regatta.
The actor joined the crew of the LG FLATRON on the voyage between New Zealand and Sydney, Australia. The experience involved ocean sailing, shifts on board, and teamwork with experienced sailors.
On a crossing like this, comfort takes a back seat. Performance depends on the crew's decisions, their assessment of weather conditions, and their ability to keep the boat moving for extended periods.
Irons had known sailing for decades, but he found a new level of challenge there.
His story reveals a striking characteristic of the sport: there is always something more to learn, whether it's a maneuver, a route, or the experience of navigating in conditions completely different from the usual.
7. Zac Efron: the passion that began on a film set.
Zac Efron got into sailing because of a professional requirement.
To interpret your character in The Death and Life of Charlie, a 2010 film originally known as Charlie St. Cloud, The actor had to learn how to operate a boat.
There were approximately three weeks of training before filming. One of the first lessons included a maneuver in which the boat was intentionally flipped, placing the students in the water.
The episode made it clear that sailing would require more than just memorizing movements for a scene.
Efron needed to learn how to interpret wind direction, coordinate maneuvers, and understand the behavior of the vessel.
The surprise eventually turned into enthusiasm. During filming, the actor even suggested sailing trips outside of work, demonstrating that he had found pleasure in the activity.
It's a different story from that of Morgan Freeman or Martine Grael, but equally revealing. A passion for the sea can emerge early, run in a family, or begin with a completely unexpected experience.
What do these stories reveal about the nautical lifestyle?
Morgan Freeman found in sailing a passion that outlived decades of his career. Martine Grael made it her profession. Max Fercondini chose to live aboard, while Jeremy Irons decided to face an ocean race.
These are very different ways of relating to the sea.
For those who enjoy sailing, part of the charm lies precisely in this freedom of choice. It's possible to dedicate oneself to competitions, plan long crossings, or set aside a few hours a week to go out on the boat.
There is also a particular satisfaction in mastering a skill that depends on nature. The wind changes, sea conditions vary, and each course demands its own decisions.
Furthermore, sailing offers a rare perspective on places. A familiar coastline takes on new dimensions when viewed from the water. A secluded cove can become the destination for an entire afternoon.
The experience involves technique, camaraderie, and contemplation in proportions that each sailor discovers in their own way.
And there's an important difference between liking boats and making sailing a part of your life. When the marina is close to home, your next outing no longer depends on carefully planned vacations or trips.
Florianópolis: where sailing can be part of your routine
In Florianópolis, the sea holds a special place in the way of life. The city boasts beaches, bays, and an extensive lagoon, as well as a nautical tradition that spans generations.
Founded in 1942, the Santa Catarina Yacht Club, known as Veleiros da Ilha, maintains locations in the city center and in Jurerê. Its sailing school welcomes children and adults, introducing new practitioners to a sport that is already part of the city's identity.
For those who own a boat, living near these structures represents a real convenience. A free afternoon can turn into a few hours of sailing. And a weekend can begin with choosing a route along the island's coast.
It is in this intersection between address and lifestyle that Florianópolis reveals one of its most unique attractions.
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Lagoa da Conceição: a life accompanied by the wind.
In Lagoa da Conceição, the presence of boats is part of the landscape. Among hills, vegetation, and houses facing the water, the region combines nautical activities and an atmosphere that changes with the wind and light.
For those who enjoy sailing, the proximity to the lagoon can transform their relationship with the sport. Instead of reserving sailing for trips, there's the possibility of incorporating it into their free time.
Some properties also offer a particularly close relationship with water. However, boat access and the existence of support structures need to be assessed for each property.
The landscape, in turn, needs no introduction. At the end of the afternoon, the sails crossing the lagoon create one of the most characteristic scenes of Florianópolis.
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Jurerê: the boat just minutes from home
The Jurerê neighborhood combines a well-established residential atmosphere with access to the nautical world.
The Veleiros da Ilha's ocean headquarters has a pier, mooring buoys, boat storage, and support facilities for members. It also hosts sailing school activities. Therefore, this infrastructure makes the region especially attractive for those who wish to keep a boat nearby.
So, imagine finishing your weekly commitments and heading to the club, preparing the boat, and enjoying the last hours of daylight on the water. In other words, for those who cultivate this habit, the proximity between home and nautical facilities has a very concrete value.
Furthermore, Jurerê offers different types of properties, allowing you to combine privacy, comfort, and a lifestyle close to the sea.
Cacupé: the North Bay as a unique landscape
The Cacupé neighborhood offers another expression of Florianópolis' coastal lifestyle.
With a more reserved residential atmosphere, the neighborhood follows the landscape of the North Bay, where the movement of boats and the light of dusk are part of the scenery.
The region is especially attractive to those who appreciate being close to water and value tranquil environments.
In certain properties, the sea view plays a central role in the architecture, with balconies and living areas oriented towards the landscape.
For boat owners, it's important to consider the distances to available nautical facilities. Furthermore, any possibility of mooring or private access depends on the specific characteristics and permits of the property.
In Cacupé, the charm lies in the way the presence of the sea accompanies daily life, even on days when no one goes sailing.
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Marinas and yacht clubs: the infrastructure behind this lifestyle.
Owning a sailboat involves choices that go beyond the vessel itself. The location where the boat is moored, ease of access, and support services directly influence the experience.
In Florianópolis, Veleiros da Ilha is a benchmark for sports sailing and boat storage. Lagoa da Conceição also has facilities related to nautical activities, with their own operational and access characteristics.
When evaluating a marina or club, it's worth considering the size and draft of the boat, the docking conditions, protection from winds, and the services offered.
Another project that deserves attention is the Marina da Beira-Mar Norte, designed to expand nautical infrastructure and public spaces in the central region. As it is still under construction, its future services should be monitored as the project progresses.
For those looking to buy property in Florianópolis, these aspects can influence the choice of neighborhood. The distance between the house and the boat, after all, determines how easily boating can be incorporated into the itinerary.
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Living in Florianópolis: the privilege of having the sea nearby.
In Florianópolis, nautical life can begin just minutes from home. A morning with favorable winds on Lagoa da Conceição, a sailboat outing in Jurerê, or the sunset overlooking Baía Norte are all part of a lifestyle that finds a privileged setting in the island's geography.
For those who love sailing, the location of a residence takes on a whole new meaning. Proximity to clubs and marinas allows for more frequent boat trips, while properties facing the water transform the landscape into part of the living experience.
At Luxury Home Floripa, this relationship between address and lifestyle guides the perspective on each region of the island. After all, choosing where to live is also about deciding which experiences deserve to be part of your routine.
The sea always offers a new story for those who sail.
Morgan Freeman was still a novice sailor when he decided to take the helm of a small boat in Vermont. Martine Grael grew up surrounded by sails and won two Olympic gold medals. Max Fercondini found in sailing a way to cross borders and see the world.
Each one arrived at sea by a different path. And perhaps that is the most interesting characteristic of sailing: there is room for those who wish to compete, travel, or simply enjoy an afternoon on the water.
In Florianópolis, the possibility of maintaining this experience close to home adds a special dimension to the lifestyle.
The boat can wait in the marina while the week unfolds. Then, when the wind is favorable and a free afternoon arises, all that's left is to prepare the sails and set sail.
Some of the best trips begin like this, without airports, without luggage, and with the horizon just ahead.
We are Luxury Home Floripa, a real estate agency specializing in the sale of luxury properties in Florianópolis. For living and investing.
Count on our brokers and our specialized real estate advisors to find the perfect property and guarantee your peaceful living in [location]. Florianópolis. Our team operates with the concept of a Boutique of Service, offering a highly personalized and bilingual experience.
We are executives who are knowledgeable not only about the characteristics of the properties, but also about the different lifestyles and particularities of each region of Florianópolis Island. For those arriving in the city and wishing to visualize what it would be like to live here, our selection goes beyond location and square footage.
We select properties that perfectly fit your current life stage, considering aspects such as your routine with children, suggestions for schools, sports, businesses, special activities, and the dynamics of each neighborhood — always with a sensitive eye to your needs and preferences. In other words, from the search to the negotiation, we are by your side every step of the way.
With our experience and extensive knowledge of the region, we will find the ideal place for you to live and invest. We are located in Jurerê Internacional, at Professor Heinz Braunsperger Street, 88 – Store 3. Schedule your visit.
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I am a specialist in luxury real estate, high-end properties, and real estate investments in Southern Brazil. Recognized for my premium and bilingual service, I accompany each client from the initial search to the delivery of the keys, connecting buyers and investors to the most exclusive developments on the island, from Jurerê Internacional to Campeche, passing through Cacupé, João Paulo, and Praia Brava. Founder of Luxury Home Floripa, I have accumulated over R$320 million in sales over five years of experience in the high-end real estate market. Here I share analyses of the luxury market in Florianópolis, high-end launches, appreciation trends, and everything a discerning buyer needs to know before making a significant asset decision. I also share insights and news about the lifestyle surrounding this universe: the nautical world, gastronomy, events, sports, and everything that connects Florianópolis to the world of high-end real estate.
