The main beach is a kilometre of fine pale sand backed by the eroded orange-red sandstone cliffs that give the place its name (rocha — rock). Sea stacks rise from the sand in the western half, the most photographed being the formations near Praia do Alemão. The water is Atlantic — bracing — but the bay is sheltered enough to swim through most of the summer.
The beach is wide enough to absorb significant crowds, but it gets dense in July and August around the central beach club zones. The promenade above is lined with hotels and restaurants; the beach itself has sun-lounger hire, a couple of beach restaurants, and toilets. For a quieter spread, walk west: the cliffs and coves continue toward Vau and beyond.