in practice it is more common, or at least more specific, to refer to the beaches as separate entities by prainha and praião than it is to use its proper denomination to indicate the entire complex.

the division between the beaches is signaled by a large, easily recognizable rock pile.

despite it being the smaller of the two, prainha is generally more crowded with brazilians from both sides of the bay - ostensibly because its location within a small natural cove makes the water here much calmer.

in addition, both veado island and pedra da baleia are more oriented toward prainha, and pedra da baleia is a particularly popular diving spot.