Praia do Pecado sits immediately south of Praia dos Cavaleiros in central Macaé, and locals rate it the stronger of the two beaches. The sand-bottom break faces east, picking up swell out of the E and SE, with a rocky ledge known as a laje throwing the fastest, most powerful section of the wave: know the peak or get worked. Named local surfers have built reputations riding it, and the beach has hosted organised surf and bodyboard contests, most recently stages of the Circuito Ondas Sustentáveis de Surf. Conditions peak through autumn and winter, when the swell window opens widest. Access could not be easier: a beachfront avenue runs along the sand in the city center, with Cavaleiros an easy walk north. Expect real crowds on the beach and in the water once summer brings Macaé's visitors, and come with solid intermediate paddling and wave reading at minimum.

Know the peak on the laje or get worked: this ledge throws the fastest, most powerful wave on the Macaé coast.