Rio de Janeiro is famous for its lively beaches. Copacabana and Ipanema are two of the world's most sought after beaches. Don't get us wrong, their energetic atmosphere is contagious. But what if we told you, that just outside of Rio de Janeiro city you could find the bluest of blue waters. The calmest of calm waters. And the clearest of clear waters? Would you go? Let us share with you the 3 most stunning beaches in Rio de Janeiro State.
All three beaches are accessible from Rio city. There are many tour companies that do trip packages to these magnificent beaches. So if you are wanting to still spend the majority of the time in Rio city, then you can do just that! Or ditch the city and submerge yourself in tiny island heaven. There is plenty to do.
Brady and Bianca in Praia do Farol
1. Arraial do Cabo
Arraial do Cabo is known for its white-sand beaches like Grande, Forno and Pontal do Atalaia. You will be greeted by blinding white sand, boats in the bay, and water so clear they cast shadows on the ocean floor. Offshore you can dive shipwrecks and the Gruta Azul (Blue Grotto) cave.
We took a boat tour that lead us first to Praia do Farol. It's separated from the mainland and only accessible by boat. It's a preserved island so you can't take drinks or food on shore with you. This did not matter at all. The water was so stunning, we would have gladly gone into dehydration to stay their longer.
Praia do Pontal was our next boat ride destination. Here we were able to take our drinks and snacks off the boat. We enjoyed a walk down the beach, floated on noodles, and enjoyed the company of fellow beach dwellers.
Our boat ride took us to the Gruta Azul. If we didn't have to catch a flight the next day, we would have gone diving. It was beautiful.
Gipoia Island
2. Angra dos Reis
There are 365 islands that make up Angra dos Reis, so it's safe to say we did not see all of them. The island's small port is surrounded by steep forested coastline which gives the water an out of this world greenish turquoise haze.
We took a schooner boat on a cruise with several stops for swimming. We stopped at Lagoa Azul and Gipoia Island for lunch. Lagoa Azul (Blue Lagoon) is a natural ocean pool. The waters are calm and perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Gipoia Island is the 2nd largest island. Beach of Vitorino is where we had a delicious lunch and laid out for a good tanning session. Boats are anchored around the shore giving it a real island vibe.
Bianca with our friend Salyna in Ilha Grande
3. Ilha Grande
Ilha Grande (Big Island) is technically also part of the district of Angra, however it deserves it's own category. The island really is huge and you should spend a full day or more just in this one location.
It is one of the cleanest beaches we have ever been too. It's very rare to see litter on the beaches thanks to extraordinary local efforts to keep the island pristine. It's truly a natural environmental haven.
Some of the most unforgettable beaches on the island include Dois Rios and Lopes Mendes. Ilha Grande has some of Brazil's most desired beaches since it has yet to succumb to the development of large hotels. Most of the beaches that you can get to by boat are wild and untouched with abundant marine life.
Final Words
If you are a beach lover, these beaches are the most stunning beaches in Rio de Janeiro State. They are worth the couple of hours to drive out of Rio city. Most of these areas also have spectacular hiking, great diving, natural waterfalls, and even cater to the history lovers. So much to do!
We would love to hear from you if you've been to these beaches! What are some of your favorite things to do?
