Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Top 10 Surf Beaches
!
Arpoador
The best surf is near the
rocks at the north of Ipanema.
Be careful of the undertow.
@
Leblon
Although the waves here
are easy for beginners, the
current can be strong and the
water is icy.
£
Prainha
The most powerful waves
in Rio pound this beach in the
far south - beyond Recreio
dos Bandeirantes.
$
Barra
Rock climbing
This 11-mile (18-km)
stretch of sand is one of the
most popular for surfing and
offers good beach breaks.
Pedra da Gávea
(see p11)
, the
world's tallest coastal monolith.
d
www.riohiking.com
%
Recreio
*
Rock Climbing
At the end of Recreio
beach is Surfers' Point.
Waves on this long beach
break at rocks a few meters
from the shore.
^
São Conrado
Rio has many great rock
climbs and the views and
locations are fabulous. Top of the
list are the Sugar Loaf and Morro
da Urca
(see pp12-13)
. Other
equally beautiful but lesser-
known locations include Parque
Nacional do Itatiaia
(see p96)
and
the Serra dos Órgãos
(see p95)
.
d
www.climbinrio.com
The surf here varies but
there are usually beach breaks
of between 3 and 5 ft (1 and
1.5 m). Hang gliders usually
land here in the afternoons.
&
Grumari
The biggest waves in Rio
hit Prainha and this beach just
to its south, which tends to
be quiet during the week.
(
Golf
The best golf course in the
city is in Gávea. The 18-hole club
is private, but games can be
booked through concierges at
the better Rio hotels.
d
Gávea Golf
Club: Map D6 • Estrada da Gávea 800,
São Conrado • (021) 3322 4141 • Adm
*
Barra da Guaratiba
This river mouth near
Prainha is pounded by
perfectly formed, powerful
waves - great for surfing.
(
Itaipu
)
Diving
This is one of the most
popular beaches in the area
for surfing, body boarding,
and windsurfing.
Intensive factory fishing in the
1980s has damaged some of the
marine life in the waters around
Rio. There are still some reason-
able dive sites at Arraial do Cabo,
near Cabo Frio
(see p96)
, where
there is a wealth of soft corals,
sponges, and marine life.
d
Map C2
)
Itacoatiara
Some of the best waves
in Rio state hit this beach just
east of Niterói.
51
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