the beach offers plenty of opportunities for physical activity -  the boardwalk that lines the beach always attracts walkers and runners, likewise with cyclists to the adjacent bike path.

the sand is ideal for beach soccer, volleyball and aerobics, and the beach is dotted with small schools offering instruction and practice in these.

praia de icaraí faces guanabara bay, not the atlantic directly, so the waters are calm and ideal for families with small children and people who want to just dip in the small waves.

the water, however, is not as clean as it could be if the beach faced the atlantic, so often it is not suitable for swimming.