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1Arraial do Cabo
Arraial do Cabo is a 3.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in South America, Brazil, Caribbean which is accessible from shore based on 1 ratings.
Shore entry
Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Rio de Janeiro
The top 35 dive and snorkel sites in Rio de Janeiro, ranked by diver reviews, with maps and photos. Read the Rio de Janeiro guide
- dive sites
- 35
- dive shops
- 14
- reviews
- 1
35 sites, ranked by diver reviews
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2Ilha Grande
Por ônibus (dutra) Ilha Grande is also known as Angra dos Reis.
BeginnerMax depth 49.2 ftShore entry
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3Enseada da Praia Vermelha
Easy access by boat from the harbour. Sometimes restricted by Brazilian Environmental Agency (IBAMA), need to check first. Enseada da Praia Vermelha is also known as Praia Vermelha.
BeginnerMax depth 23 ftBoat entry
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4Boca do Boqueirao
From the cities of Angra dos Reis or Paraty in Rio de Janeiro state leave dive boats and live aboard boats to Ilha Grande area. Boca do Boqueirao is also known as Praia Longa.
BeginnerMax depth 16.4 ftBoat entry
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5Pinguino
In the late 60's a fire starts in a cargo vessel heading from Angra dos Reis to Buenos Aires. It has returned to Angra dos Reis but was not allowed into the harbor and was sent to the Aracatiba bay area. Few days later it sunk. Since 2004 penetration is getting more and more risky due to bad conditions of the wreck. From the cities of Angra dos Reis or Paraty in Rio de Janeiro state leave dive boats and live aboard boats to Ilha Grande area.
BeginnerMax depth 32.8 ft
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6Ponta Sul da Ilha de Porcos
Ponta Sul da Ilha de Porcos is also known as Ilha de Porcos.
BeginnerMax depth 39.4 ftBoat entry
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7Ponta da Ilha Longa
Usual marine life for the coastal South Atlantic area. By boat from Angra dos Reis or Paraty. Ponta da Ilha Longa is also known as Long Island Cape.
BeginnerMax depth 16.4 ftBoat entry
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8Ilha dos Meros - Ponta Sul
Many dive centers from São Paulo State make their novice divers training in the area of Paraty. Ilha dos Meros is one of the most visited spot in the area. From the many piers of Paraty city in the state of Rio de Janeiro, several dive boats reach this dive site.
BeginnerMax depth 19.7 ftBoat entry
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9Ponta Grossa
From the cities of Angra dos Reis or Paraty in Rio de Janeiro state leave dive boats and live aboard boats to Ilha Grande area.
BeginnerMax depth 19.7 ftBoat entry
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10Helicoptero
This chopper was sunk about Y2K by a diver center. It is a Esquilo chopper (Brazilian made). Not in the best chape but, why not get wet? From Angra dos Reis or Paraty cities there are a good number of dive boats and live aboards to the Ilha Grande area.
BeginnerMax depth 19.7 ft
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11California
Shipwreck from 1866 according to the records due to pirate action. From Angra dos Reis or Paraty cities, Rio de Janeiro state, there are quite a few dive boats and live aboards.
BeginnerMax depth 31.5 ft
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12Lagoa Azul
From the cities of Angra dos Reis or Paraty in Rio de Janeiro state leave dive boats and live aboard boats to Ilha Grande area.
BeginnerMax depth 16.4 ftBoat entry
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14Lagoa Verde
At average of Ilha Grande are dive site. You can find moreys, crabs, small reef fish. Very often live aboard boast stop by for the end of the day plus night dives here. Dive boat reach Ilha Grande area from the cities of Angra dos Reis or Paraty in Rio de Janeiro State.
BeginnerMax depth 16.4 ftBoat entry
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15Parcel do Coronel
Very interesting dive site. It has a unique under water topology sorted with narrow passages and short caves. It is also common to spot rays. The dive site itself is the submerged rock formation 500~600 meters off the Lage do Coronel. The Parcel is indicated by a navigation buoy and the Lage is indicated by a navigation aid light close to the Angra dos Reis harbor channel. Dive boats and live aboard boats reach the site from the cities of Angra dos Reis or Paraty. Parcel do Coronel is also known as Lage do Coronel.
IntermediateMax depth 39.4 ftBoat entry
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16Prainha
On this site you can find a big variety of sea life. There are no fish fishes, but there are always some moray eels, brazilian electric Rays (treme-treme), squids, octopuses and other interesting species like the plagiobrissus grandis. It's an excelent site for a night dive! Usually there's no current and visibility is around 5 meters. It's a good idea to be careful with fishermen in the coast and carry a knife with you so you can cut lines and nets if you need. Shore Diving Arriving at Prainha, go to the right side of the beach. The dive there is usually better than on the left side. Prainha is also known as Prainha.
BeginnerMax depth 9.8 ftShore entry
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17Ilha dos Ratos
Ilha dos Ratos is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Paraty which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
BeginnerMax depth 26.2 ftBoat entry
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18Ilha dos Ganchos
Ilha dos Ganchos is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Paraty which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
BeginnerMax depth 26.2 ftBoat entry
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19Grutazul
fantastic dive with PL Divers Arraial do Cabo RJ Grutazul is also known as blue cave.
BeginnerMax depth 39.4 ftBoat entry
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20Ilha Comprida
By boat from Paraty city. Ilha Comprida is also known as Comprida Island.
BeginnerMax depth 16.4 ftBoat entry
Top dive shops in Rio de Janeiro
All 14Queiroz Diver
Book4.9 (102) · Arraial do Cabo
Jamanta Dive Center
Book4.8 (957) · Angra dos Reis
Dive Paraty
Book4.9 (40) · Paraty
Master Dive
Book4.7 (1270) · Arraial Do Cabo
Rio de Janeiro diving guide
Ready to check out the best sites in Rio de Janeiro for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? Zentacle has 35 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.
Frequently asked questions
Are there dive shops in Rio de Janeiro?
Zentacle lists 14 dive shops in Rio de Janeiro. The top-rated are Queiroz Diver (4.9 from 102 reviews) and Jamanta Dive Center (4.8 from 957 reviews).