Praia João Fernandes

João Fernandes is the beach most people picture when they think of Búzios: a deep, sheltered bay with calm, greenish water, rocky points at both ends that are good for snorkelling, and a solid row of beach restaurants with tables and umbrellas on the sand. Using a table is free as long as you order food or drinks, and grilled fish, shrimp and caipirinhas are the order of the day. The easiest way there is by taxi boat from the beach next to the tender pier, which takes about 15 minutes and drops you right on the sand. By road it is about 10 minutes over the hill. Just around the rocks to the north is João Fernandinho, a smaller and often quieter cove with even better snorkelling. The bay gets busy from late morning, especially when schooners stop, so arrive early if you want a front-row table.