Colonial streets, Atlantic Forest, and island bay diving on Brazil's Costa Verde
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Overview
Paraty is a colonial harbor town on Brazil's Costa Verde where calm island bays meet the Atlantic Forest. Underwater, short boat rides reach protected reefs around Ilha dos Meros and Ilha Comprida, plus shallow sites that suit training dives and relaxed photography. Snorkelers can join classic schooner trips to sheltered coves, while freedivers can use calm water windows for technique sessions and line dives from a boat. Topside, Paraty's UNESCO-listed historic center, cachaca culture, and rainforest trails make it easy to build a mixed itinerary for divers and non-divers. Plan around seasonality: summer (Dec to Mar) is hot and wet, and runoff can reduce visibility; late autumn to winter (May to Sep) is typically drier, with cooler water and better clarity.
Paraty pairs easy coastal water time with one of Brazil's best culture-plus-nature combos. The town sits inside a mosaic of protected Atlantic Forest landscapes and island-studded bays, so you can dive in the morning and be walking cobblestone streets, waterfalls, and trailheads by afternoon.
Paraty's historic core is a compact grid of preserved colonial architecture, churches, cafes, and galleries. It is made for slow wandering and sunset photography.
Use Paraty as a base for:
Trip callouts
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Last updated: January 23, 2026 • 13 sources
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Paraty anchors a World Heritage landscape that blends preserved colonial urban fabric with Atlantic Forest and coastal ecosystems.
Boat dives around bay islands keep many profiles shallow and calm, ideal for training, refreshers, and relaxed exploration.
Snorkel tours, kayaking, waterfalls, and food culture make it easy to plan days when not everyone wants to scuba.
Simple transfers from Rio or Sao Paulo mean you can build Paraty into a broader Brazil itinerary without extra flights.
scuba
Why Paraty for Scuba Diving
Paraty's bay and island chain create a sheltered classroom for warm-water Atlantic diving. Local boats reach Ilha dos Meros, Ilha Comprida, Ilha dos Ganchos, and Ilha Catimbau for rocky reefs, sponges, and schooling fish, often in calm conditions. Many signature dives stay shallow, with max depths around 13 m at Ilha dos Meros, and visibility that can reach 15 m on good weeks. For something different, operators may add wreck-style structures in the Saco do Mamangua area. Base yourself in town for post-dive culture, food, and easy logistics with shops like Dive Paraty (PADI 5 Star).
freedive
Why Paraty for Freediving
Paraty is not a deep-blue competition hub, but the bay's sheltered water is useful for technique-focused freediving. On calm mornings you can work equalization, finning, and breath-hold safety with a buoy and buddy, then shift to shallow reef exploration on the same island circuit used by scuba boats. Ask local dive operators if they can support line sessions at sites like Ilha dos Meros or Ilha Comprida, where boat cover and moorings simplify logistics. Best conditions usually come in drier months when visibility improves and the sea surface is less affected by storms.
snorkel
Why Paraty for Snorkeling
Paraty's classic day on the water is an island-hopping boat tour with swim and snorkel stops in sheltered coves. Visibility depends heavily on weather: after heavy rain, choose offshore island stops; in drier spells, shallow reefs can open up to 10 m or more. Snorkeling is best around islands like Ilha Comprida and Ilha dos Ganchos, where fish life concentrates on rocky structure. Go early, bring sun protection, and consider a vest if you want longer, more relaxed floating time.
topside
What to do when you're not in the water
Paraty is one of the rare places where a serious dive trip can also be a culture trip. The UNESCO-listed historic center is compact and walkable, packed with churches, galleries, and restaurants. Just outside town, the Atlantic Forest brings waterfalls, mangrove edges, and classic trails like the Gold Trail in Serra da Bocaina. Add beach time in Trindade or Praia do Sono, then finish with a cachaca tasting at a local alambique. It is an easy destination to plan for mixed groups where not everyone dives every day.
