A short walk across the island's narrow width brings you to the Atlantic-facing shore. The contrast with the lagoon side is immediate: the sand here is wilder and broader, the surf rolls in steadily from the open ocean, and the beach is far less populated. Swimming in the ocean surf requires more confidence and caution, especially during the wet season when swells are higher.
The emptiness of the ocean beach is its main virtue. Early morning walks here — with surf sound, wide sky, and few other people around — offer a different mood entirely from the busy lagoon side. Beachcombers sometimes find interesting shells and natural debris along the tide line.