Intense heat and stable weather attracted thousands of people to the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. But despite the big movement, not all points of Rio’s coastline are open to swimming.
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According to the most recent data from the National Environment Institute (Inea), 15 beaches in the capital are unsuitable, mainly because of the heavy rains recorded at the beginning of December, which temporarily compromised water quality.
Some beaches in Rio de Janeiro are unsuitable for swimming
Copacabana is one of the city’s 26 swimming spots. From Leme to Pontal, the beaches are all open. In Paquetá, six of the nine supervised beaches also have suitable swimming conditions.
Glória Beach, in the southern zone of Rio de Janeiro, is one of the points that attracts the most attention in the survey. After years of pollution, the beach welcomed bathers again in 2025, after sewage reaching the area was diverted to the ocean interceptor.
Even with this change, Glória Beach appears unsuitable in the most recent bulletins. According to Inea, throughout the year 2025, the place was suitable for swimming 76% of days.
A similar situation was highlighted in certain sections of Praia do Flamengo. The right corner, near the mouth of the Carioca River, appears inappropriate in the last two bulletins. It has remained accessible to swimmers since April.
According to the regulator, the guideline is to avoid swimming in the sea within 24 hours of rain, during which time the risk of contamination from sewage and other pollutants is higher.
Beaches open to swimming
In Rio de Janeiro, the free beaches are: Barra de Guaratiba, Grumari, Prainha, Pontal de Sernambetiba, Recreio, Barra da Tijuca, Joatinga, Pepino, São Conrado, Vidigal, Leblon, Ipanema, Arpoador, Diabo, Copacabana, Leme, Vermelha, Urca and Flamengo (except at the mouth of the Rio Carioca).
In Niterói, open beaches include: Flechas (except in front of number 163 of Rua Praia de Icaraí), Icaraí (less to the left of Pedra de Itapuca and in front of Rua Mariz e Barros), Jurujuba (except the stretch in front of Alameda Marechal Pessoa Leal, on Avenida Carlos Ermelindo Martins), Eva, Adão, Piratininga, Sossego, Camboinhas, Itaipu and Itacoatiara.
In Paquetá, only the beaches of Ribeira, Coqueiros and José Bonifácio are unsuitable.
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