Praia de Sepetiba, Beach in western Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Praia de Sepetiba is a broad, flat stretch of pale tan sand in the Sepetiba neighbourhood of western Rio de Janeiro, on the Baía de Sepetiba. A small, low white frame stands on the sand in the middle distance, and scattered dark patches and small objects lie along the upper edge where the sand meets the background.

Sepetiba served as a colonial port for exporting brazilwood to Europe. Its main routes were the Caminho de Sepetiba, now Estrada de Sepetiba, leading to Santa Cruz, and the Caminho de Piahy, now Estrada do Piaí, linking the area to Pedra de Guaratiba. Toxic waste leaks from tanks of the former Companhia Mercantil e Industrial Ingá after heavy rains in 1996 and 2003, plus untreated sewage from 29 West Zone locations via the Rio Guandu, silted up the shoreline and made swimming impossible.

The beach serves as a gathering place for local fishing families and their communities who work and share meals here daily. You can see traditional fishing boats and small restaurants preparing fresh catches, reflecting the working rhythm of this coastal area.

Swimming is not recommended due to water quality concerns, but you can explore the shoreline and visit local restaurants. The beach is best visited during daytime hours when fishers are active and restaurants serve fresh meals.

The name Sepetiba comes from Tupi and means "muito sapê", a reference to the abundance of that grass in the area. The beach once drew bathers in numbers compared to Copacabana, before toxic waste leaks from the tanks of the former Companhia Mercantil e Industrial Ingá, after heavy rains in 1996 and 2003, silted up its shoreline.