Standing 82 meters tall, the FG Big Wheel is the tallest Ferris wheel in Latin America and one of the most photographed attractions in Balneário Camboriú. Before booking your cabin, it’s worth knowing which time of day offers the best views and what else you can explore without leaving the area.
The best time to visit the FG Big Wheel is in the morning, between 9 AM and 12 PM, when the light is cleaner and the ocean looks bluer in photos, or in the early afternoon (1:30 PM to 4 PM), when crowds are thinner. The wheel operates Friday through Tuesday, from 9 AM to 9 PM, with the last boarding at 8:30 PM — always check the updated prices on the official website before you go, as ticket prices for tourist attractions change throughout the year.
The Ferris wheel is located in Barra Norte, on Estrada da Rainha, and since it opened in December 2020, it has become one of the city’s postcard landmarks alongside Parque Unipraias and Cristo Luz.
What is the FG Big Wheel
The FG Big Wheel has 36 air-conditioned cabins with Bluetooth, so you can play your own playlist during the ride. From 82 meters up, the view combines the Atlantic Ocean, the beachfront skyscrapers, and the green of the Atlantic Forest in the background — a combination you’ll hardly find at any other Ferris wheel in Brazil.
Hours and the best time to visit
The Ferris wheel operates Friday through Tuesday, from 9 AM to 9 PM, with the last boarding at 8:30 PM. On some days, it doesn’t open until 2 PM, and the attraction often closes on Wednesdays during the low season — so it’s worth checking the official calendar before planning your visit.
If you’re after photos with bluer water and fewer people in the background, go in the morning, between 9 AM and 12 PM. If you’d rather skip the lines without waking up early, the early afternoon (1:30 PM to 4 PM) is usually the calmest time of day.
Tickets and how to buy them
Ticket prices change throughout the year — confirm the current rate on the FG Big Wheel’s official website or at the box office before you go. Buying through the official site lets you choose your boarding time in advance, which helps you skip the line, especially on weekends in January and February, when the wait without a reservation can be long.
If you’d rather book your FG Big Wheel ticket in advance, you’ll get instant confirmation and your time slot is locked in before you even arrive in town.
What’s nearby
Two attractions round out the itinerary around the Big Wheel nicely. The Deck do Pontal Norte is a wooden walkway that runs along the rocky shore right below the Ferris wheel, leading to more secluded beaches like Prainha and Praia do Buraco — perfect for a stroll after your ride, still with the late-afternoon light.
The Complexo Cristo Luz, another city landmark, is just a few minutes’ drive away in Barra Sul. The illuminated 33-meter-tall statue features viewpoints, a museum, shops, and restaurants, and at night the complex takes on a completely different vibe from the daytime views at the Big Wheel — so it’s worth scheduling these two attractions at different times of day.
How to get there
The FG Big Wheel is on Estrada da Rainha, in the Pioneiros neighborhood, close to the Barra Norte area. If you’re staying in this area, you can walk or bike there; from downtown or Barra Sul, the drive or ride-share trip takes between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on waterfront traffic. The FG Big Wheel’s official website has the updated operating calendar, which is handy for confirming before you leave your hotel.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best time to ride the FG Big Wheel?
In the morning, between 9 AM and 12 PM, for photos with bluer water and fewer people, or in the early afternoon (1:30 PM to 4 PM), the period with the shortest lines of the day.
Is the FG Big Wheel open every day?
No. The attraction operates Friday through Tuesday, from 9 AM to 9 PM. It often closes on Wednesdays, especially during the low season — check the official calendar before you go.
What’s near the Ferris wheel in Balneário Camboriú?
The Deck do Pontal Norte, a wooden walkway that passes right below the structure, and the Complexo Cristo Luz, just a few minutes’ drive away in Barra Sul.
Is it worth buying Big Wheel tickets in advance?
Yes, especially during peak season. Buying through the official website or tour operators lets you choose your boarding time and avoids lines on weekends in January and February.
Conclusion
The FG Big Wheel delivers one of the most complete views of Balneário Camboriú, and the surrounding area — from the Deck do Pontal Norte to Cristo Luz — is easy to explore on the same day without rushing. Stick around voyagevoyage to check out other attractions in Barra Norte.