Explore São Paulo

The best diving near São Paulo is in the surrounding waters of the islands of Ilhabela, Ilha de Buzios, and Ilha de Cabras, as well as in the protected Laje de Santos Marine Park. The mixture of warm surface waters and cold Antarctic undercurrents leads to a stunning array of marine flora and fauna. There are great reef-diving, wreck-diving, deep-diving, and drift-diving opportunities in these waters, which are best accessed via daily boat trips organized by the local dive shops.

Places to Explore

Sao Paulo Seaside

9 Divesites 6 Centers

Enjoy the many private beaches of Sao Paulo or one of the many public beaches, or spend the day doing some water sports like surfing, kayaking or scuba diving

Upcoming Events

Diver Level Programs / Courses

AMIGOS DO JOE

Advanced Adventurer

15 Nov 2025 + 26 more

If you cannot decide which specialty programs are the best choice for you, join the SSI Advanced Adventurer program! With this program, you can try a variety of specialties before committing to full specialty programs. It is a great way to experience what advanced diver training is all about and how valuable it can be to your diving adventures. During the Advanced Adventurer Program, you will try out 5 different specialties. You will complete one open water training dive per specialty after a comprehensive briefing with your SSI Instructor. With this trial program in specialty diving, you will have total freedom to explore. You can complete the full specialty programs any time in the future and credit your Advanced Adventurer training towards them.

Instructor Evaluation

SSI Service Center Brazil

Instructor Evaluation - IE

22 Nov 2025

Avaliação de Instrutor para Conclusão do ITC

Instructor Evaluation

SSI Service Center Brazil

Instructor Evaluation - IE

10 Dec 2025

Avaliação de Instrutor (IE) para conclusão do ITC

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Ilha Montão de Trigo

The island of Montão de Trigo, sometimes called Ilha Monte de Trigo, is an island in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. It is located between the Bertioga bay and São Sebastião channel, approximately 10 km from the mainland. The island has a conical shape that resembles, as the name implies, a pile of wheat.

★★★★☆ Ilha do Farol - Alcatrazes

The Alcatrazes archipelago is the most pristine marine area in the state of São Paulo, in part due to the restrictions on use established by the Brazilian Navy (MB) and Esec Tupinambás since the 1980s. After more than 30 years prohibited, scuba diving was again opened to the population in December 2018.

★★★★☆ Ilha das Cabras

Its surroundings are protected by a Municipal Decree where hunting and fishing are prohibited. As a result, there is abundant and diverse marine life. The area is well marked on the surface and at the bottom there are submerged cables, a truck chassis, an anchor and a statue of Neptune.

★★★★☆ Calhaus

Laje de Santos’ most desired dive point for all divers, however, the sea conditions do not always allow diving in Calhaus. At this point there are no ropes for anchorage and the giant step is given with the boat in motion. Really exciting! The passage through the tunnel is surprising.

★★★★☆ Parcel das Ancoras - Laje de Santos

The Parcel of the anchors is a place for deep dives up to 45 meters, where it is possible to see dozens of anchors and also several underwater pinnacles, where large shoals are concentrated and sightings of large fish are common.

★★★★★ Ilha Vitoria

Ilha Vitória is very well known because it is in the middle of the way, between São Sebastião and Ubatuba, and can have as a starting point any of these municipalities. In this island shallow and deep dives can be made, being an option for beginners and advanced divers.

★★★★☆ Laje de Santos - Piscinas

This is the most beautiful diving spot in Laje de Santos. It is a shallow spot and therefore great for photographs. Divers should be careful not to exceed the boat's vision limits, because the curve to the exposed side of Laje can present strong current.

★★★★☆ Laje de Santos - Portinho

This is the most famous point of Laje de Santos, where all the berth for the boats operating in the Park are located. As the name already says, Portinho is the most sheltered place of Laje and where most of the dives are made. The average depth is 20 meters.

Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

★★★★☆ Laje de Santos - Boca da Baleia

Laje de Santos is a Marine State Park and, therefore, is one of the most preserved diving spots on the São Paulo coast. Diving at Boca da Baleia should only be done on calm days, with little or no current, only by advanced and experienced divers.

★★★★☆ Saco do Funil - Alcatrazes

This dive spot is one of the most sheltered in the Alcatrazes Refugio. Its depth varies from 10 to 20 meters and is recommended for beginner divers.

★★★★☆ Jardim dos Corais - Alcatrazes

This dive spot is relatively sheltered. It can have cold waters in winter and the termoclines are common in summer. The depth varies from 10 to 23 meters approximately. Consult the operator regarding the current on site.

★★★★☆ Ilha de Buzios - Costao dos Aquarios

Point away from the coast and subject to current. Parcel formed by large stones, with many burrows and crevices, the name already suggests the abundant presence of fish, besides turtles, and on the sandy bottom the rays.

Diving in São Paulo

São Paulo, Brazil, offers a diverse array of diving experiences, appealing to both novice and experienced divers. One of the notable dive sites is Laje de Santos, a protected marine park known for its vibrant marine life and the occasional sighting of manta rays. Here, divers can enjoy both day and night dives, providing a unique opportunity to witness different marine behaviors. The Queimada Grande, or Snake Island, offers an intriguing shore dive experience, although it's more famous above water due to its dense snake population. For those interested in wreck dives, the "Vapor Pinguino" wreck off the coast near Ilhabela is a highlight, providing a historical exploration beneath the waves. São Paulo's dive scene balances well between shore dives accessible from the land and liveaboard options that allow for extended exploration, making it a versatile choice for dive travelers.

The best Months to Dive in São Paulo

In São Paulo, diving conditions vary throughout the year, but it is possible to dive year-round. Water temperatures typically range from 66°F (19°C) in winter to 75°F (24°C) in summer, making a wetsuit advisable for most divers. Visibility can vary widely, often ranging from 10 to 30 feet, with the best conditions generally found between April and September.

Wind and currents are key factors affecting diving conditions. The region experiences less favorable diving conditions during the summer months of December to March due to increased rainfall and stronger winds, which can reduce visibility and create more challenging currents. Planning your dive trip with these factors in mind can enhance your experience.