water quality here is hard to predict as it comes from the lagoa da tijuca, which can get polluted after heavy rains, however the part of the beach closer to the ocean is generally cleaner. 

praia dos amores is difficult to access and normally it is not a common destination for either local residents or visitors. the best way of getting to barra beach is via taxi, normally a 45 reals ride from ipanema or copacabana. from zona sul, bus number 332 (taquara x castelo via barra da tijuca) rides along copacabana, ipanema, and leblon and then covers the entire length of barra beach.