Praia de Ramos is a beach located on the northeast shore of Guanabara Bay within the Maré neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro's North Zone. The overall character of the beach is heavily influenced by its urban, metropolitan setting. The primary feature for paddlers to note is the Piscinão de Ramos, a large artificial saltwater lagoon constructed in 2001 on the beachfront. This lagoon was created specifically to provide a clean bathing area, as the natural waters of Guanabara Bay at Praia de Ramos have been considered polluted and unfit for swimming since at least the 1980s. The lagoon is separated from the bay by a stone dam, preventing direct water exchange. The swimming complex, beach, and leisure areas are collectively part of the Carlos Roberto de Oliveira Dicró Environmental Park. The area is a traditional and popular leisure spot for local families, with the lagoon recording tens of thousands of visitors on busy weekends. The surrounding neighborhoods include favelas, and historical reports have indicated territorial disputes between criminal factions in the area, which is a consideration for personal safety. For paddlers, this suggests the primary launch would be from the sandy beach into the protected waters of the artificial lagoon, rather than into the open, polluted bay. The lagoon itself covers an area of approximately 284,320 square feet with an average depth of 1.4 meters (4 feet 7 inches). The water in the lagoon is replaced every seven to ten days, and the liner is replaced approximately every two years, though there have been public criticisms about water quality and sludge accumulation. The beach is bordered by the Fundão Channel, an artificial mini-estuary created in the mid-20th century by linking several islands. This urban channel and the view across Guanabara Bay would be the notable sights from the water.