Aerial view of Joatinga Beach and Pedra da Gávea during a helicopter tour
☀️ Rio de Janeiro
July 6, 2026
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3 min read

Barra da Tijuca and Joatinga: The Coastline You Can Only Truly See by Helicopter

The Barra da Tijuca and Joatinga region hides a coastline that many tourists never get to fully see from land — and that reveals itself completely during a helicopter tour.

The show begins right at takeoff

Since many flights depart from Barra da Tijuca, the local landscape already impresses in the first few seconds: long beaches, canals, and a wide view of the coastline.

Joatinga and the hidden beaches

Joatinga Beach, surrounded by rocky cliffs and with more restricted access by land, appears in full from above, revealing one of the most preserved stretches of Rio's coastline.

Pedra da Gávea and São Conrado

On routes that pass through this region, Pedra da Gávea appears imposingly in the background, with São Conrado Beach and Morro Dois Irmãos completing the scenery.

Why this region is the ideal starting point

In addition to its natural beauty, Barra da Tijuca's location makes access to the helipad easier and already offers, in the first few minutes of the flight, a generous sample of Rio de Janeiro's coastline.

Frequently asked questions

Is Joatinga included in every route? It depends on the chosen route; check which beaches are included before booking.

Is it possible to see Pedra da Gávea up close? Yes, on routes that pass through the São Conrado region.

Is boarding in Barra da Tijuca easy to access? Yes, the region has good access infrastructure for those coming from other parts of the city.

Want to discover this coastline from a rare angle? Book your helicopter tour with Vertical Rio.