Pedra de Itapuca, Rock formation in Icaraí, Brazil.
Pedra de Itapuca is a rocky pillar standing in the sea a few metres off the shore between Praia de Icaraí and Praia das Flechas, in Niterói. It is the remnant of a natural rock arch that once linked the stone to the mainland, and it appears on the city's coat of arms.
Originally connected to the mainland by a natural arch, the formation was partially demolished in 1840 to make room for street construction. This alteration changed its appearance and left it as the isolated structure seen today.
The name comes from Tupi words where 'itá' means stone and 'puca' means cleft, connecting the place to indigenous roots. This linguistic heritage reflects how local geography has been understood and named by the people who lived here first.
The waters surrounding it are a popular surfing location that attracts water sports enthusiasts throughout the year. Proper equipment and water sports skills are important if you plan to spend time in this area.
The rock appears on Niterói's municipal coat of arms, and the waters around it are a traditional surfing spot in the city. It was listed as heritage by INEPAC in 1985.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,293 contributors worldwide.