Praia de Itaorna, Beach in Angra dos Reis, Brazil.

Praia de Itaorna is a beach in Angra dos Reis featuring a wide expanse of sand bordered by thick vegetation and forested hills that rise from the water's edge. The shoreline includes rock formations that create natural pools and inlets along the coast.

Itaorna was originally a fishing village before being chosen as the site of the Central Nuclear Almirante Álvaro Alberto, comprising the Angra 1, Angra 2 and Angra 3 plants. The location was chosen for its proximity to the three main load centres of the Brazilian electrical system (Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte and São Paulo), the need to be near the sea, and easy access for heavy components. The construction has been criticised over the years, with environmental groups citing the supposed Guarani meaning "rotten stone" and indigenous knowledge of a geological fault in the area.

The name Itaorna is usually traced to Guarani, with ita meaning stone and orna popularly read as rotten or soft, though the suffix has no confirmed origin; Eletronuclear offered a prize for anyone who could establish it. Environmental groups have cited that reading of the name when criticising the nuclear plant built beside the beach.

You can reach this beach by boat from Angra dos Reis port or by hiking through the forest on a trail that leads to the shore. Both routes take roughly half an hour, so plan accordingly for whichever option you choose.

The rock formations create natural pools that fill with seawater during high tide, offering safe swimming spots away from the main current. These tidal pools shift and change throughout the day depending on water levels.