ilha rasa de guaratiba is situated directly south of barra de guaratiba in rio de janeiro, one of the most pristine regions in the city. located to the east are the five 'wild beaches' of rio, situated between barra de guaratiba and grumari beach - praia do perigoso, praia do meio, praia de búzios, praia funda and praia do inferno. these beaches are located in an environmental protection area, and furthermore are only accessible by hiking trail, adding to their privacy. 

to the west lies restinga da marambaia, a spit of land that separates sepetiba bay (further west) from the atlantic ocean.  restinga is owned and operated by the brazilian navy, and thus has remained largely undeveloped, with some 42 kilometers of natural beaches, often used for movie and television productions, such as beach scenes for the ever popular brazilian soap operas.