Arraial do Cabo: 70 miles

This is a picture of Arraial do Cabo. It is a cape region, 70 nautical miles East from Rio. An island, Ilha do Farol, forms a protected bay, in a region where there is usually plenty of wind. Actually, NNE of the cape, in direction of Cabo Frio and Búzios, is daily about 15-20kts of wind. Often around 25-30kts.

On the picture you can notice a small, tight channel which goes out of the bay to the open ocean. To SW, in direction to Rio de Janeiro (righthand side of image), winds are usually weak, between 2 and 10 knots.

This bay is a protected paradise, with calm, transparent water and white sand. The water is often cold, due to the resurgence phenomenon, which brings cold water from deep ocean currents to the surface. But these currents also bring nutrients. Therefore, there is a rich maritime life to be found. The bay is also very shallow, as you can see on the picture. Only a tight channel between the shoals and the rocks of the island, leads you towards the port of Arraial do Cabo and Cabo Frio.

Due to the clear water one can see it clearly. The channel is formed by the tidal currents around the island.