the metropolitan rio de janeiro limits include two large bays - guanabara bay near the central part of the city, and sepetiba bay located in the western zone.

both of these bays are home to beaches, that are very popular among the local population because they have weak waves - however, the water quality along the beaches of both bays varies, and is often unsuitable for swimming.

while these beaches may not be ideal for water sports, many of them offer spectacular landscapes, as is the case with flamengo beach and botafogo beach - both facing the sugar loaf and offering magnificent perspectives.