Praia Rasa - Flat Beach Buzios

The longest beach of Buzios isn't on the peninsula. It's Praia Rasa and sits on the northern shoulder. If you thought Praia de Manguinhos was long, Praia Rasa is even longer, boasting more than two continuous miles of beach. You could do some serious jogging here.

But the main sport is kitesurfing and windsurfing. Though the surf here is slightly more heavy than at Praia de Manguinhos, it still makes an excellent setting for a great ride. Afternoon trade winds provide excellent consistent lift for boarding from one end to the other.

Praia Rasa has an interesting past. In the late 1800's, slaves from surrounding farms began inhabiting the Praia Rasa region. Slavery was big business in this area in the early 1800's. Indeed, Praia Rasa was even called "Landing Beach" as a slave trade port. Then in 1850, with the law that forbid the traffic of slaves in Brazilian coastal waters, the Brazilian Navy heavily patrolled Buzios looking for ships. Slavery arrivals ended.

So, even today, many of the inhabitants of Praia Rasa are descendents of the slaves of long ago. In the town square, a bronze memorial has been dedicated to the history of the slaves.

Praia Rasa (meaning "flat" or "shallow") is silty, densely compacted sand. Even so, the view here is spectacular. Offshore is fabulous Ilha Rasa, or Rasa Island, a resort.

To get to Praia Rasa, you must leave the Buzios peninsula and head north. It's not too hard to find. Follow the signs and the coast.

Praia Rasa - BEACH INDEX:

• Sand - very fine, clay/sand.
• Facilities - sporadic. Look for small businesses along the beach.
• Shade - none. Mostly small sandy dunes.
• Sports - kiteboarding, windsurfing, sailing.
• Notes - longest beach in the area!
  

Praia de Manguinhos - Manguinhos Beach Buzios

Imagine a beach two miles long, positioned in such a way that it receives the afternoon trade winds, yet doesn't experience any of the related high surf.

You've arrived at Manguinhos Beach, or Praia de Manguinhos.

Because of this interesting feature, windsurfing and kitesurfing are "the" sports here. When we visited, we parked behind the local windsurf school, Buzios Vela Clube. It was early, so we didn't notice anyone out on the water. The people at the club were arranging the boards and sails for later instruction. The school seemed well organized.



We found an alley between the school and the next property and walked down to the beach. That's the way most beaches are here in Buzios. You find a pathway that leads down between properties. The beach is immense!

Praia de Manguinhos is well developed and faces almost due north. To the eastern part of the crescent is where a fishing development is. Come here early in the morning and get the catch of the day - plus see some real Brazilian culture as you experience the open fish market.

A tad further north along the crescent is where you can still the ancient pier where slaves disembarked, secretly, even after law went into effect in 1850 prohibiting slave ships in Brazilian waters. Why slaves in Buzios? It was the perfect dropping off point. Policing the whole coast became impossible and Buzios was chosen by traffickers because of its proximity to Rio de Janeiro, and by nature, offered many hidden coves and bays.

Today, the Praia de Manguinhos offers many beautiful posadsas. It becomes alive from Christmas through Lent - high season for Buzios. If you have the chance to experience it, make sure you take time to get a windsurf lesson at the Buzios Vela Clube. Great people with patience.

Praia de Manguinhos - BEACH INDEX:

• Sand - very fine, clay-like, dense. Rock based from runoff.
• Facilities - many along the coast.
• Shade - many trees line the coast, some businesses offer umbrellas.
• Sports - windsurf, kitesurf, boating, sand soccer, futevoli, Frisbee.
• Notes - long expanse, but no white powder here.