niterói 's beaches are divided into two distinct groups - those facing the inside of guanabara bay and those facing the ocean. beaches line the waterfront areas to the west and south; popular bayside locales include praia de icaraí, praia de boa viagem, and praia de charitas. on the wilder oceanfront, beaches such as prainha de piratininga, praia de itaipú and the gorgeous praia de itacoatiara are not to be missed. on the way out of downtown, the series of bay beaches begins with boa viagem, gragoatá, and flexas - all three small and tranquil.
