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Surf spot guide · Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A fast, hollow river-mouth left that barrels off a shifting sandbar at the edge of Rio's restricted Marambaia coast.
Barra de Guaratiba is a river-mouth left breaking over a sandbar that keeps reshaping itself, so the wave changes from session to session. When the bank lines up it throws a fast, hollow barrel that wraps and bowls through an inside section, holding up to roughly 3m on a big day. It rarely fires, but when it does, locals rate it among the best lefts in the city, with a steep, critical takeoff that rewards commitment over hesitation. Roadside and car-park parking sit right at the point, keeping the walk to the water short. The break marks the accessible eastern end of the Restinga de Marambaia, the 40km stretch of beach running west that falls under military control; surfers can paddle or SUP that coastline, but walking it gets you stopped. Expect a heavily crowded, territorial lineup and water that turns murky fast once the river mouth is running high.
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This peak is busy almost any time there is swell, with a firm local pecking order in the water. Expect a packed lineup and real competition for waves on any working day.
Heavy, territorial, high-stakes
Rio de Janeiro
A hike-in left over sand and rock on Rio's wild Guaratiba coast, fast and short with nothing but trail between you and the city.
Rio de Janeiro
Grumari is a scenic and respected beach break near Rio de Janeiro, known as a sanctuary for the area's top local surfers.
Rio de Janeiro
Prainha is a renowned and scenic beach break in Rio de Janeiro offering consistent, quality waves suitable for all levels.
+9 MORE →Scope the sandbar from the point before paddling out, since the bank shifts and moves the peak with it.
Expect a tightly held lineup with an established pecking order
wait your turn before going for the best ones.
Best chance of clean conditions is early morning before the onshore sea breeze fills in.
Watch a few sets from the beach before paddling out to read where the peak is breaking that day.
The takeoff is steep and fast, so commit early rather than hesitating on the drop.
Roadside and car-park parking sit right at the point, with both free and paid options.
HAZARDS · KNOW BEFORE YOU PADDLE
Roadside and car-park parking sit right at the point, with both free and paid options. The beach running west from here onto the Restinga de Marambaia is military-controlled and largely off-limits.
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