Explore São Paulo
Diving along the São Paulo Seaside offers an intriguing blend of unique marine environments, from the vibrant reefs of Ilhabela to the intriguing shipwrecks near Ilha de Búzios. The region is renowned for its biodiverse marine life, thanks to the confluence of warm surface waters and nutrient-rich cold currents flowing from Antarctica. This mix supports a rich tapestry of underwater flora and fauna, making every dive a captivating experience. Typical encounters include colorful reef fish, playful sea turtles, and occasionally, the elusive seahorse. However, divers should note that visibility can be limited to about 5 meters, adding a sense of mystery to the underwater exploration. Most dive sites are accessible only by boat, with options ranging from day trips to more extended liveaboard adventures. The protected Laje de Santos Marine Park stands out as a must-visit area, located about 90 kilometers offshore. This marine sanctuary not only offers breathtaking underwater landscapes but also serves as a critical refuge for diverse marine species. Seasonal temperatures vary, with a warm climate from October to May, providing pleasant conditions for diving. Whether you're an experienced diver or a newcomer eager to explore, the São Paulo Seaside promises an unforgettable diving adventure enriched by its natural beauty and ecological significance.
Dive Activity
Diving in São Paulo
Dive destinations near São Paulo offer reef-diving, wreck-diving, deep-diving, and drift-diving. The underwater landscape consists of dramatic rock formations, colorful corals, and shipwrecks. Strong currents in this region make drift dives possible, but there are more sheltered dive sites as well for those new to diving.
Top Wildlife Sightings in São Paulo
The waters off the coast of São Paulo are inhabited by marine megafauna drawn to the nutrients brought to this region by Antarctic waters. Sightings of whales, giant stingrays, sea turtles, manta rays, and pelagic fish are common.
In the waters of Laje de Santos Marine Park, close to 200 species of reef fish can be found, including grouper, wrasse, parrotfish, grunts, sergeant majors, damselfish, porgies, and blennies.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
224 Sightings
J
25
F
21
M
32
A
25
M
22
J
20
J
20
A
6
S
2
O
11
N
17
D
23
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
67 Sightings
J
5
F
0
M
18
A
9
M
5
J
6
J
7
A
2
S
2
O
3
N
2
D
8
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
63 Sightings
J
11
F
12
M
7
A
6
M
4
J
2
J
6
A
2
S
1
O
6
N
1
D
5
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 25
iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray
41 Sightings
J
5
F
8
M
8
A
3
M
4
J
0
J
2
A
2
S
0
O
5
N
1
D
3
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle
29 Sightings
J
6
F
2
M
4
A
6
M
2
J
1
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
1
N
2
D
3
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 250
Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets
143 Sightings
J
15
F
20
M
20
A
13
M
12
J
5
J
17
A
5
S
2
O
7
N
6
D
21
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 80
iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays
136 Sightings
J
16
F
5
M
20
A
17
M
13
J
22
J
17
A
7
S
1
O
6
N
3
D
9
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
99 Sightings
J
7
F
18
M
15
A
6
M
7
J
13
J
4
A
5
S
1
O
2
N
7
D
14
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
61 Sightings
J
4
F
8
M
9
A
4
M
3
J
5
J
5
A
2
S
1
O
3
N
10
D
7
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 40
iStock-Hoatzinexp
Jackfish
59 Sightings
J
12
F
7
M
6
A
7
M
4
J
2
J
1
A
2
S
1
O
1
N
10
D
6
The best Months to Dive in São Paulo
Due to the region’s nutrient-rich waters, visibility is normally about 5 meters/16 feet. Visibility improves, however, during the summertime (up to 25 meters/82 feet), so this may be a good time to target for diving. On the other hand, if seeing manta rays is on your list, then fall and winter would be the best time to visit, as this is when they pass through the Laje de Santos Marine Park area as part of their migratory path.
