Praia da Joatinga, Beach in Joá neighborhood, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Praia da Joatinga is a beach backed by rocky cliffs along Rio's Atlantic coastline, featuring white sand and transparent water in a small, sheltered cove. The surrounding rock formations create natural boundaries on either side of the shore.

The sources record no founding date or historical event for Praia da Joatinga; they describe it only as a small beach under 300 m in the Joá neighbourhood of Rio's western zone. Its documented past is one of restricted access: the sand lies inside a closed condominium entered from Rua Pascoal Segreto, and the private Costa Brava club has long occupied Ponta do Marisco at the left end.

The beach's left end, at Ponta do Marisco, holds the private Costa Brava club, which marks off that stretch of sand. Bodyboarders cluster from the middle of the beach to the right end, where surfers are fewer, so the shore is divided by use. In late afternoon the shadow of the buildings covers the sand, which makes it a weak spot for sunbathing.

Reach the sand via Estrada do Joá: enter the gated condominium on Rua Pascoal Segreto and continue to Rua Sargento José da Silva, where a staircase descends to the beach. Non-residents may use it, but security can restrict entry once the beach is full. At high tide waves cover the sand strip, so plan around low tide.

The beach is reached by a staircase at the end of Rua Sargento José da Silva, inside a gated condominium entered from Rua Pascoal Segreto off Estrada do Joá. Non-residents may use it, but when the sand is already full the complex's security guards can restrict entry. At the left end, at Ponta do Marisco, stands the private Costa Brava club.