Surf spot guide · Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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.
Praia do Meio is one of the Praias Selvagens, the roadless string of coves between Barra de Guaratiba and Grumari on Rio's far west side. The wave on record here is a left over sand and rock, fast and punchy with short walls, picking up E and SE swell from just under 1m to around 2m and breaking through every stage of the tide. Most of what is known about the lineup traces to a single surfer-contributed report, so treat the details as a starting point and read the water yourself when you arrive. What the Portuguese-language beach guides do agree on is that Meio's sea is the agitated one in the cluster, with proper surf and noticeable current while its neighbours stay calmer. Getting there is the filter: roughly 30 minutes on foot from the west end of Grumari or a longer trail from Barra de Guaratiba, with no lifeguard, no facilities and no cell signal at the end of it. Bring a partner, because on this coast any problem is a long walk from help.
A fast left at the end of the trail where Rio runs out of road.
You’re seeing the next 3 days. A free account opens all 14, which is the difference between checking tomorrow and planning a trip.
Expect anything from an empty peak on weekdays to a small crew when the water is lively. Either way the walk keeps numbers far below Rio's drive-up beaches.
Remote, raw, self-reliant
Rio de Janeiro
A fast, hollow river-mouth left that barrels off a shifting sandbar at the edge of Rio's restricted Marambaia coast.
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 →Go with a partner because there is no cell signal and no lifeguard on any of the wild beaches
Park at the far end of Grumari for the shortest walk in
Carry all your water and food since the beaches have no facilities
Study the lineup from the sand to spot the rocks before paddling out
Start early enough to walk out in daylight
HAZARDS · KNOW BEFORE YOU PADDLE
Part of the Praias Selvagens cluster between Barra de Guaratiba and Grumari, reached only by trail from either end. Park at the far end of Grumari for the shortest approach, or start from the Barra de Guaratiba trailhead. No facilities, no lifeguard and no cell signal on any of the wild beaches, so carry water and do not go alone.
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