Surf: General: Saquarema is often said to have the best surf in Brazil, but that rumor may have more to do with it holding a historical place in Brazilian surfing history. It was here in the '60s and '70s that many contests were held, and it was one of the first places that Rio surfers started to visit as they explored outside of the city.

The stretch of beach west of the old church is the Praia da Itauna (Itauna Beach). A channel runs out of the natural lagoon on the west end, and the east end has a rock shelf that captures the sand flow and builds up banks that can be very, very good. Unlike much of Rio surf, the sandbars can hold big swells and hold shape. The wave is generally a long left with hollow sections, but on certain swells it can break right as well. The jetty at the west end can be good too.

All in all, a great town for the traveling surfer to hang out, as the weekday crowds are mellow and the surf can be great. Tides: Low at the east corner (Point) and the west corner (Barrinha), medium in the middle at the beach. Size: Chest high to 2X overhead. But can hold up to triple overhead+ with big and clean SE swells at the left corner (Point) and with big SW-SSW swells at the right corner (Barrinha). Wind: Calm or offshore from the NW to NE. Swell: S to SE at the Point (East corner) and S to SW at Barrinha (West corner) Bottom: Sand bottom and rock shelf. Paddling: Easy paddle back close to the rock at the left corner, but it can be very difficult to come back if you stop in the middle of the beach. Spot Rating: Very constant and with many options along the beach, from longer and larger lefts in the east corner, through fun beach breaks in the middle of the beach, to powerful and hollow rights in the west corner. Access: Easy to find. Follow signs. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Weekends can be packed; weekdays are not so bad. Local Vibe: Competitive. Be respectful. Environment: Fairly clean for the most part. Hazards: Hold-downs, lots of paddling, getting caught inside on a big set, especially during a strong SSW-SSE swell. Also the water can be very cold after strong E winds/currents. Season: Fall and winter are best, but breaks year-round.