Diving in Eastern Brazil
Quick Facts
- • Entry types: Mostly shore entries
- • Expect: Varies by conditions visibility
- • Highlights: Discover Eastern Brazil's dive spots
Explore the underwater wonders of Eastern Brazil, ecoregion. This region features 23 documented dive spots, each offering unique underwater experiences. Whether you're seeking calm snorkeling bays, challenging freediving depths, or exciting scuba adventures, Eastern Brazil has something for every underwater explorer. Browse detailed spot information, check current conditions from recent dive logs, and connect with the local diving community to make the most of your visit.
Regional Context
🏛️ Marine Hierarchy
🌍 Associated Countries
Countries in Eastern Brazil (1)
Popular Spots in Eastern Brazil (23)
Chapeirao Atlantida
Chapeirao Atlantida is located in the Abrolhos region and features the Atlântida Cliff, which is not frequently visited. The dive site includes various passages and channels leading to a spacious lounge area that can accommodate approximately 15 divers. Depths at this site range from 8 meters to 32 meters. The underwater environment is rich with corals, algae, and sponges, providing habitat for a variety of marine life. Divers can expect to encounter reef fish, schools of fish, rays, turtles, and larger species such as groupers and whiting.
Chapeirão Faca Cega
Chapeirão Faca Cega, located in the Abrolhos Archipelago, features a large cap structure reaching depths of 25 meters with a diameter of nearly 20 meters. Divers can explore multiple passages and burrows, observing various reef fish and stingrays in the area.
Chapeirão Jean Pierre
Chapeirão Jean Pierre features endemic coral formations typical of southern Bahia, with an average growth rate of 1 mm per year. The site includes various passages and tunnels that interconnect with surrounding coral structures. Divers can observe reef-forming corals such as M. hispida and the endemic brain coral M. brasiliensis. The area is home to a variety of marine life, including both carnivorous and herbivorous reef fish, contributing to a diverse underwater ecosystem.
Chapeirão Mau Mau
Chapeirão Mau Mau features an underwater trail that spans 140 meters, marked by 14 pins placed on the sandy bottom. Cables connect these points of interest, aiding divers in navigating the site and understanding the various attractions along the route. Notably, divers may encounter giant anemones (Condylactis gigantea), a species currently classified as endangered, highlighting the ecological significance of this dive site.
Corais de Ondina
Corais de Ondina, also referred to as Gardens, spans an area of 200 square meters characterized by a rocky substrate adorned with corals. This site is notable for its diverse marine life, including schools of fish and larger species such as sharks, whiting, rays, and lobsters. Commonly observed fish include jackfishes, wrasses, and angelfishes, typical of reef ecosystems.
Galeão Sacramento
Galeão Sacramento is the site of the wreck of the Portuguese galleon Most Holy Sacrament, which sank in 1668 during a storm while approaching All Saints Bay. This historical wreck is located at coordinates -13.023000, -38.506300 and is accessible from the shore. Divers can explore the remnants of the ship, including visible cannons and numerous anchors from the period. The site is particularly appealing to advanced divers and those using Nitrox, as it offers a habitat for marine life such as lobsters and moray eels that inhabit the structures of the wreck. Additionally, various corals can be found growing in the area, contributing to the ecological diversity of the site.
Ho Mei III - Salvador
The Ho Mei III is a wreck located at a depth between 33 and 39 meters. This ship sank after drifting aimlessly due to loosened moorings while being dismantled. It was discovered years later by a diver. The site is home to schools of sardines, horse mackerel, bream, and some barracudas, along with various reef species such as morays and sole. This dive site is recommended for experienced divers due to the depth and conditions.
Ilha da Âncora
Ilha da Âncora is a top dive destination near Arraial do Cabo, Cabo Frio, and Búzios, located an hour by boat from Armação dos Búzios (RJ). Depths range from 8 to 30 meters, welcoming both beginners and advanced divers. Its crystal-clear waters offer an average visibility of 15 to 20 meters, vibrant reefs, large schools of fish, turtles, rays, and more. The upwelling phenomenon brings an abundance of marine life, making every dive unforgettable.
Ilha Escalvada
Ilha Escalvada is a dive site located off the coast of Espírito Santo, with depths ranging from 6 to 24 meters. The site is known for its susceptibility to currents, making it important for divers to be aware of conditions. This location serves as a refuge for a variety of fish species and other marine life, contributing to its reputation as one of the more vibrant dive spots in the region. Entry to the site is from the shore.
Ilha Escalvada Face Leste
Ilha Escalvada Face Leste features a rocky coastline with currents, making it suitable for drift diving. The site faces the open sea and offers opportunities to observe pelagic species. Divers may encounter a variety of reef fish, along with larger species such as tunas, sharks, rays, and pompano. The entry to the dive site is from the shore.
Ilhas Rasas
Ilhas Rasas, located 11 miles from Guarapari, are classified as oceanic islands characterized by their rocky formations. This site is notable for its significant marine biodiversity, hosting a variety of reef fish species and a historical wreck that has been present for over a century. The area is recognized for its ecological importance, with numerous species documented, making it a valuable site for biological research.
Maraldi
Maraldi is a shallow wreck dive with a maximum depth of 6 meters, making it suitable for beginner divers and those new to scuba diving. Located near a lighthouse, the site features a prominent boiler at the center of the wreckage. The dive is guided by a cavern at the bottom, which directs divers through the dismantled structure. As an artificial reef, Maraldi is home to a variety of marine life, including wrasses, surgeonfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, lobsters, crabs, and occasionally turtles.
Naufragio Agenor Gordilho
The Agenor Gordilho wreck is an artificial structure measuring 71 meters in length and 13.5 meters in width, consisting of five decks. It is positioned upright but has a slight tilt to the starboard side. This wreck was recently sunk on November 22, 2020, and has already attracted schools of sardines and various juvenile fish, indicating the beginning of a new marine ecosystem. Divers can access the site via boat.
Naufragio Blackadder
The Naufragio Blackadder is the wreck of a 70-meter clipper sailboat that sank in 1905 after its moorings were loosened by a storm, leading it to crash into the coral reefs near Boa Viagem Beach. The wreck lies at a depth of 9 meters, where its structure remains largely intact and visible. This site is home to various marine life, including seahorses and batfish, which often seek refuge among the wreckage. The site is easily accessible and is a popular choice among divers in Bahia.
Naufragio Germania
The Naufragio Germania is a notable shipwreck located near the Barra lighthouse at the entrance of Todos os Santos Bay. This dive site features the remnants of the Germania and Bretangne wrecks, which are situated close to each other. Divers can explore three large boilers, a mast, anchors, and sections of the hull and basements. The dive is relatively shallow, making it accessible for divers. Marine life in the area includes schools of surgeonfish, blue hogs, bream, and butterfly fish, along with moray eels and spider crabs, providing a rich underwater ecosystem to observe.
Naufragio Guadiana
The Naufragio Guadiana is a shipwreck situated in the challenging navigation area of the Abrolhos Archipelago. This vessel, which sank in 1885 after colliding with a rock while transporting coffee, is now largely dismantled, with remnants such as the machinery and rudder still identifiable. The wreck serves as an artificial reef and is located near a series of coral pinnacles, providing a habitat for diverse marine life. Notably, a large grouper has made this wreck its home and can often be seen during dives.
Naufragio Nebula
Naufragio Nebula is a dive site featuring a wreck that measures 73 meters in length, located at a depth of 4 to 12 meters. The wreck remains intact and offers opportunities for penetration. Visibility at this site is generally reduced, and marine life is less abundant compared to other areas like the Abrolhos Archipelago. The site is accessible by boat.
Naufragio Victory 8B
The Victory 8B is a freighter that was intentionally sunk off the coast of Espírito Santo, located 6 nautical miles from the mainland. The vessel was left abandoned by its crew after 18 months in port due to financial difficulties. It rests at a depth of 36 meters and remains largely intact, providing a significant structure for marine life. As an artificial reef, the wreck attracts various fish species, along with sightings of rays, turtles, and a variety of corals. The site is accessible from the shore.
Praia dos Amores
Praia dos Amores, in Búzios, is a hidden gem and one of the top diving spots in the region. Its calm, crystal-clear waters are perfect for snorkeling and freediving, even for beginners. Underwater rock formations shelter abundant marine life, including turtles, colorful fish, moray eels, and even rays. A peaceful and stunning place to explore the underwater world.
Prainha
Prainha is a sheltered dive site that is easily accessible from the shore. It is suitable for various diving activities, including training for night dives, snorkeling, and Stress and Rescue courses. The site features shallow waters that are home to diverse marine life, with frequent sightings of sardine and manioc shoals. Divers can also encounter species such as bodions, salemas, friars, surgeons, batfish, otters, morays, sole, crabs, and siris, among others.
Quebra-mar
Quebra-mar is a shore dive site characterized by a two-mile wall rich in coral formations. The maximum depth at this location is 8 meters. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of marine life, including seahorses, moray eels, lobsters, and schools of butterfly fish and surgeonfish. Other notable species include crabs, clown shrimp, and batfish, making it a diverse ecosystem for underwater exploration.
Reliance
Reliance is located adjacent to the hill of Christ in Barra, providing easy shore access for divers. The maximum depth at this site reaches 8 meters during high tide. The wreck features visible machinery, including intact boilers and a steering wheel that are partially buried in the sand. A propeller blade can also be observed protruding from the sediment. The wreck serves as a habitat for various marine life, attracting large schools of sardines and reef fish such as butterfly fish, goat fish, angelfish, and bream.
Terno - Salvador
Terno is a dive site located at coordinates -12.968200, -38.528800, featuring a large expanse of coral reefs. Discovered in 2018, it supports a diverse marine ecosystem, including common sightings of turtles and various species of morays. The site is particularly noted for the presence of angelfish, specifically H. ciliaris and H. tricolor. The maximum depth ranges from 12 to 14 meters, making it suitable for divers of all experience levels. Entry to the site is from the shore.