Itacoatiara beach is located about 30 minutes east of downtown Niterói by car, or one hour by bus.
- Itacoatiara is a beach with fine golden sands and bright blue (sometimes
green) water.
- The main beach is open to the Atlantic Ocean and is
dangerous for the casual swimmer while offering ideal conditions for
water sports.
- The left side of the beach ends with a rock face called Costão, and there is a wave-sheltered small beach on the right side called Prainha
(little beach), which is separated from the main beach by a big rock
that serves as its shelter, and which is frequented by small children
and their parents.
- The place is famous for offering the ideal conditions for the practices of surfing, bodysurfing and bodyboarding during most of the year.
- At Itacoatiara, the Atlantic Ocean produces fast and hollow waves,
usually ranging from 3 to 6 feet, but on frequent occasion they might
swell up to 4 meters (12 feet).
- A few times per year a huge southeast
swell can produce larger waves of up to 5 meters (15 feet) but a swell
that strong rarely offers acceptable surfing conditions.
