The name of the village Cova Joana refers to the location, as the creole word cova means crater, depression or valley. The village is linked by a good paved road to Nova Sintra, the capital of Brava which is about seven kilometers away by road, and to Nossa Senhora do Monte, a pilgrimage place which is about one kilometer to the South. The small harbour Fajã de Água on the West coast can be reached on a beautiful walking track as well as the Monte Fontainhas, the highest mountain of Brava reaching a height of 976 meters.