The local people refer to these beaches as "La Mansa" (which means mild, gentle) and "La Brava" (which for maritime context indicates a very rough sea) respectively, because of the similarities of conditions with Playa Mansa and Playa Brava on either side of Punta del Este.

[3][4] The "Brava" beach is usually preferred in the morning and at noon in the summer, while in the afternoon the wind usually blows east and swimmers move to the "Mansa" beach and to the rocks around the west side of Punta Colorada, where there are natural sandy pools sheltered from the wind.

Brava beach is good for fishing large croaker (February–March), brótolas (August to December), southern kingfish (all year), and mackerel (in winter).

[citation needed] The salinity of the sea varies depending on the predominance of the winds (east and north wings bring saltier water, while west winds bring sweet water) and the volume of rainfall.

The warmest waters correspond to the period February to April, while the coldest from June to December.