Microplastics (MPs) and mesoplastics (MSs) have received considerable attention due to their high dispersibility and accumulation capacity in various environments. They may pose a risk to biota due to their size and consequently ingestion as food. Moreover, MPs are also capable of concentrating contaminants. MPs and MSs were sampled in ten sandy beaches along Santa Catarina Island (Brazil) to study spatial distribution and composition. All particles were analyzed for shape, color, size and degradation stage by processing images obtained by a binocular microscope. Concentration of MPs ranged from 1.33 to 127.3 particles m-2 in the strandline and from 0 to 37.33 particles m-2 in the backshore portion. Concentration of MSs ranged from 0 to 33,32 particles m-2 in the strandline and from 0 to 11,44 particles m- in the backshore portion. Natural characteristics of each beach, such as exposure to wind and wave energy, appeared to be as important for MP and MSs occurrence as anthropogenic factors.