Explore Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is a captivating gateway to some of Brazil's most mesmerizing dive sites, offering a unique blend of marine adventures just beyond its vibrant city life. While the city itself may not host abundant dive spots, a short journey east or west reveals a trove of underwater experiences. Armação dos Búzios, located 130 kilometers east, is a favorite among both beginners and seasoned divers, thanks to its crystal-clear, nutrient-rich waters teeming with diverse marine life. Here, divers can explore colorful reefs and encounter a vibrant array of fish species, adding a splash of color and excitement to every dive.

Further east, Arraial do Cabo beckons with the allure of its historic shipwrecks. Known as the shipwreck mecca of the region, it boasts 47 wrecks lying just offshore, promising an intriguing exploration for both novice and experienced divers. Heading west from Rio, Angra dos Reis and Paraty offer a striking contrast with their mix of caves, reefs, and islands, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ilha Grande. The waters here are a playground for macro and megafauna, where curious dolphins and vibrant seahorses make frequent appearances. These destinations provide a perfect escape, combining exceptional diving with the enchanting landscapes surrounding Rio de Janeiro.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ I Comprida - Face Norte

The most sheltered coastline in the region, the North Face of Ilha Comprida offers an abrupt slope, meeting with the sand between 9 and 12 meters deep.

811
Logs
176
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
8.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro

★★★★☆ Naufrágio Buenos Aires (Wreck)

The Buenos Aires Steam sank in 1890. Point indicated for experienced divers, with wrecks found from 13 meters to 42 meters deep. Common presence of strong surface currents, average temperature of 18 degrees and average visibility of 3 meters.

222
Logs
99
Divers
31.0 m
⌀ Depth
8.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Aqualung

★★★★☆ Ilha Rasa - Portinho

Good alternative to south-southwest swells, the coast do portinho offers shelter for beginner divers. Moving away towards the sand, one can find depths in the range of 30 meters, enabling the formation of deep diving. Average temperature of 18 degrees and visibility of 3 meters.

765
Logs
215
Divers
19.0 m
⌀ Depth
8.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro

★★★★☆ Ilha Rasa - Guincho

Classic costal diving, ideal for less experienced divers. Even so the attention is important, because the depth can reach up to 20 meters between shore and sand. Average annual temperature of 18 degrees and visibility of 3 meters.

285
Logs
119
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

★★★★☆ Ilhas Maricas - Naufragio do Moreno

The old dismantled wreck brings together a lot of marine life and allows the observation of its structures, which bring together a diversity of marine life. If you want to observe beyond the wreck, a tranquil shallow dive is possible, suitable for any level of training.

179
Logs
56
Divers
12.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★☆☆ Ilha Pai / Ponta Sul

Pai's Island is the furthest from Itaipu Beach, and has a different rock formation than the other two islands (Mae and Menina). This point has a greater slope and a steeper coast, providing a completely different diving profile from the neighboring islands. Drifting is possible.

26
Logs
13
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
9.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro

★★★★☆ Ilha Mae / Ponta Sul

The South Point of the Mother Island is a great profile for beginner divers, and also for more experienced divers who would like to enjoy a quieter dive, with shallow depths and lots of marine life.

81
Logs
46
Divers
10.0 m
⌀ Depth
5.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

★★★★☆ Mae Ilha Caves

The little caves on Mae Island are rock formations that form a veritable playground for divers of all levels. Inside these structures are large quantities of fish, surprising when observed closely. It is the most sought after spot on the coast of Niteroi.

75
Logs
30
Divers
9.0 m
⌀ Depth
4.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Aqualung

★★★★☆ Canal da Ilha Menina

Diving in the Ilha Menina Channel is an excellent opportunity to do a drift dive, tide conditions permitting. You can see an interesting rock formation and lots of marine life.

23
Logs
9
Divers
12.0 m
⌀ Depth
11.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Costao de Itaipu

Excellent for night diving, when all the fauna is active, providing a peaceful and charming dive. The beach’s coastline is extensive, allowing for several ways to explore the dive, which can be done from a boat or with a beach entry.

85
Logs
34
Divers
6.0 m
⌀ Depth
4.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★★ Praia Vermelha - costão do morro da Babilônia 2

Praia Vermelha is located in the neighborhood of Urca, in Rio de Janeiro. Facing the sea, the rocky shore on the right side is the Babilônia hill. Diving point 2 on this shore starts at the first cove and goes in the opposite direction to the beach until the beginning of the curve out!

202
Logs
64
Divers
8.0 m
⌀ Depth
3.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Praia Vermelha - Costão do Morro da Babilônia

Praia Vermelha (Red Beach) is located in the Urca neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro. Facing the sea, the rocky shore on the right side is the Morro da Babilônia. The diving point on this coast starts on the rocky wall and goes in the opposite direction of the beach until the beginning of the first inlet. Beach entry.

2,511
Logs
423
Divers
8.0 m
⌀ Depth
4.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in Rio de Janeiro

The dive destinations nearby Rio de Janeiro offer reef-diving, cave-diving, wreck-diving, and deep-diving. Some sites consist mostly of coral reef ecosystems, while others have rocky landscapes boasting tunnels, caves, and swim-throughs, and still others have wrecks of old wartime ships that met their demise by colliding with a reef.

The best Months to Dive in Rio de Janeiro

While these dive destinations near Rio de Janeiro can be enjoyed year-round, the summer months (December through February) are the most popular time to dive, since the ocean conditions are calmest. Temperatures are warm year-round as well, with an average of 27°C/81°F.

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

Coral de Fogo - Diving Experience

Estrada da Barra da Tijuca, 367, loja 4 - Barra da Tijuca, 22611-201 Rio de Janeiro, RJ - BRA

Dolphin Dive

Rua Marechal Cantuária 102, 22291-060 Rio de Janeiro RJ, RJ - BRA

DOMAR ATIVIDADES AQUATICAS

Rua Bamboré, 20771-490 Rio de Janeiro, RJ - BRA

XDIVERS CENTRO DE MERGULHO

Estrada da Barra da Tijuca, 426, 22611-202 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, RJ - BRA

KAIMANA DIVE E BOAT

R ANDRE HENRIQUE SERPA PINTO 130, 24.358-611 Niterói, RJ - BRA