Paddling near Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro sits between the Atlantic coast and Guanabara Bay, giving paddlers a range of water types within the city itself. Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas is the go-to flatwater spot in Zona Sul, while the sheltered cove at Urca and the outer reaches of Guanabara Bay draw sea kayakers past landmarks like Sugarloaf, Ilha Cotunduba, and Copacabana. SUP at sunrise on Copacabana is a well-established local activity. Water quality varies sharply: the lagoon and Urca's cove are clean and calm; much of inner Guanabara Bay is not suitable for unguided paddling.
Top waters to paddle near Rio de Janeiro
Lagoa De Piratininga
Rio Paraíba do Sul
Baía de Guanabara
Rio Pitanga
Lagoa De Saquarema
Praia de Ipanema
Rio da Onça
Lagoa De Itaipu
Praia do Leme
Rio Boa Esperança
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Rio de Janeiro licenses and regulations
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