Aerial view of Joatinga Beach and Pedra da Gávea during a helicopter tour
☀️ Rio de Janeiro
July 8, 2026
|
3 min read

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

The Barra da Tijuca and Joatinga region hides a coastline that many tourists never get to see from the ground — one that is fully revealed during a helicopter tour.

The show starts right at takeoff

Since many flights depart from Barra da Tijuca, the local scenery surprises from the very first seconds: long beaches, canals, and a wide view of the shoreline.

Joatinga and its hidden beaches

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

Pedra da Gávea and São Conrado

On routes that continue through this area, Pedra da Gávea rises impressively in the background, with São Conrado beach and Morro Dois Irmãos completing the scene.

Why this region is the ideal starting point

Beyond its natural beauty, Barra da Tijuca's location makes the heliport easy to access and delivers, within the first minutes of flight, a generous sample of Rio de Janeiro's coastline.

Frequently asked questions

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

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

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

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