Prainha, Surf beach in western Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Prainha is a beach on Rio de Janeiro's western coast with golden sand framed by granite mountains and consistent wave patterns. The coastline follows a natural curve and is bordered by rocky formations.

Prainha lies west of Recreio dos Bandeirantes, before Grumari, in an area whose native restinga vegetation and sandy, swampy ground kept it isolated for a long time. Recreio's urbanization was launched on 11 February 1953 with José Otacílio Saboya Ribeiro's plan (PA 6028), inspired by Anglo-American garden-city ideals. Water supply only reached the district comprehensively in the 1990s, under governor Marcello Alencar.

Prainha lies west of Recreio dos Bandeirantes and before Grumari, reached by road along the coast. Its waves are sought after by surfers, and because of its position relative to the city the sand is rarely crowded. The beach belongs to the Recreio dos Bandeirantes area of Rio's West Zone.

Access to Prainha is by car, along the coastal road past Recreio dos Bandeirantes and before Grumari. The beach lies in western Rio de Janeiro, far from the city centre, and its distance from the urban core is why it is rarely crowded. Plan the trip around the drive rather than public transport.

Prainha lies between Recreio dos Bandeirantes and Grumari, reached by road, and its distance from central Rio keeps it rarely crowded even when the waves are good. That combination of accessible surf and uncrowded sand is what draws surfers from across the city.