Itacoatiara

{{Short description|Neighborhood in Niterói, Brazil}} {{For|the municipality in [[Amazonas (Brazilian state)|Amazonas]]|Itacoatiara, Amazonas}}{{More citations needed|date=November 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}}[[Image:Itacoatiara beach.jpg|thumb|Itacoatiara beach, [[Niterói]]]] '''Itacoatiara''' is one of the [[Neighborhoods of Niterói|48 official neighborhoods]] into which the city of [[Niterói]], [[Rio de Janeiro (state)|Rio de Janeiro]] in [[Brazil]] is divided.

== Beach ==

Itacoatiara beach is located about 30 minutes east of downtown Niterói by car, or one hour by bus.

Itacoatiara is a beach with fine golden sands and bright blue (sometimes green) water. The main beach is open to the Atlantic Ocean and is dangerous for the casual swimmer while offering ideal conditions for water sports. The left side of the beach ends with a rock face called ''Costão'', and there is a wave-sheltered small beach on the right side called ''Prainha'' (little beach), which is separated from the main beach by a big rock that serves as its shelter, and which is frequented by small children and their parents.

=== Surfing === The place is famous for offering the ideal conditions for the practices of [[surfing]], [[bodysurfing]] and [[bodyboarding]] during most of the year.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} It hosts surfing events such as the Niterói Surf Association (ASN) Circuit and bodyboarding events such as the Itacoatiara Pro Brazil Series.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 August 2023 |title=Confirmada a segunda etapa do Circuito ASN (Associação de Surfe de Niterói) 2023 em Itacoatiara |url=https://niteroi.rj.gov.br/confirmada-a-segunda-etapa-do-circuito-asn-associacao-de-surfe-de-niteroi-2023-em-itacoatiara/ |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Prefeitura Municipal de Niterói |language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 May 2022 |title=Niterói terá calendário repleto de competições esportivas no mês que vem |url=https://atribunarj.com.br/materia/niteroi-tera-calendario-repleto-de-competicoes-esportivas-no-mes-que-vem |access-date=2025-11-13 |website=A Tribuna RJ |language=pt}}</ref>

At Itacoatiara, the Atlantic Ocean produces fast and hollow waves, usually ranging from 3 to 6 feet, but on frequent occasions they might swell up to 4 meters (12 feet). A few times per year a huge southeast swell can produce larger waves of up to 5 meters (15 feet) but a swell that strong rarely offers acceptable surfing conditions.

There are three main beach breaks in the beach. They are named ''Costão'' (on the left side), ''Meio'' (middle) and ''Pampo'' (on the right side), each breaking differently depending on swell direction and size. Behind the limiting rock between the main beach and the small, wave-sheltered Prainha (little beach), there is a point break named ''Shock'' due to its extremely dangerous surfing conditions, with rocks protruding from the sea floor above the water level. Shock starts working on bigger swells.

=== Climbing === Itacoatiara is a place especially appreciated by the climbers and offers many routes of different climbing styles. Bouldering is practiced at the square commonly called "Pracinha". The [[Serra da Tiririca State Park]] is also located there and was recognised by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. It offers many climbing routes of abseiling and of the following different styles: traditional climbing, sport climbing and aid climbing.

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} * [http://itacoatiara.org.br/itacoatiara/historia History of Itacoatiara on its Homeowners and Friends Association] {{in lang|pt}}{{Dead link|date=November 2025}}

{{Coord|22|58|29|S|43|02|00|W|region:BR_type:city|display=title}}

[[Category:Neighbourhoods of Niterói]] [[Category:Beaches of Brazil]] [[Category:Surfing locations in Brazil]]