Brazil, a biodiverse country with over 4,600 miles (7,500 kilometers) of Atlantic coastline, offers tropical beaches, rich marine life and some of the best scuba diving in South America.

From the moment you arrive, the characteristically relaxed and friendly Brazilians help you leave your worries behind. Whether it’s the sunny weather, the lively rhythms of carioca dance, refreshing açaí bowls at beachside stands or the warm smiles of welcoming locals, every detail adds to the country’s charm. Diving in Brazil offers an experience as unique and unforgettable as the country itself. Here are the top four destinations to dive in Brazil.

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Fernando do Noronha

This paradisiacal archipelago is renowned among many divers as one of the world´s best diving spots. Its emerald-green waters offer visibility of more than 120 feet and abundant marine life. Some of the species that can be seen are nurse sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, barracudas and plenty of colorful fish.

Bahia dos Porcos is considered by many tourists as one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil, due to its white sand and crystal clear waters. Excursions to Sela Gineta Island and Meio Beach are perfect spots for snorkeling among hundreds of fish and relaxing on picturesque beaches.

Recommended dive sites include:

• Cavernas da Sapata (Da Sapata Caverns): A hotspot for large rays
• Cabezo das Cordas: Ideal for seeing spotted eagle rays and night diving
• Pedras Secas (Dry Rocks): A spot to see sea turtles
• Corveta V17: A renowned Navy shipwreck located at 210 feet (65 meters) deep and explored, requiring specific equipment and training

To visit the reserve and, with the aim of protecting its natural beauty, a $25 fee is required, and only 1000 people are allowed to enter the island at a time.

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Abrolhos

The Abrolhos Marine National Park, located about 100 miles (70 kilometers) off the southern coast of Bahia, Brazil, is part of the Abrolhos Reef Complex, the largest coral reef in the South Atlantic. This archipelago is formed by five islands with extensive and biodiverse coral reefs. It is home to a wide variety of fish species and sea turtles. Between June to November, humpback whales migrate through the area for breeding.

With more than 19 coral species, many of them growing columnar from the seafloor called chapeiroes, Abrohlos offers a unique diving experience.

Top diving spots include Chepairão Jean Pierre and Chapeirão Faca Cega, renowned for its vibrant colors and vast fish population. The best time for diving is between December and February, with underwater visibility ranging from 30 to 70 feet (10 to 20 meters.).

This destination includes five different shipwrecks very accessible from the island, with the Rosalina being the most famous.

You can access the park by boat from Caravelas or Bahia City.

Recife

Known as Brazil´s shipwreck capital, Recife´s beautiful beaches harbor more than 48 sunken ships of varied types, ages and depths, as well as different artificial reefs.

Recife is a coastal city, with colorful streets and tropical weather. The city's life is deeply connected to the sea, its name originating from the long reef wall that lines its extensive coastline. In addition to its beaches, two rivers run through Recife and converge into the sea, earning it the nickname, “Brazilian Venice.”

The different shipwrecks are inhabited by big sea turtles, rays, moray eels, large groupers, anemones, and an immense variety of fish. The diversity of wreck types offers scenarios for divers of all levels, and the water conditions and abundant marine life meet the expectations of divers of all levels.

Some of the wrecks that can be explored in Recife include: El Camaquã C6, Chata de Noronha, Corveta Ipiranga, Flórida, Gonçalo Coelho, Lupus, Marte, Mercúrius, Minuano, Saveiros, Servemar I, Servmar X, Taurus, Vapor dos 48, Vapor de Baixo y El Walsa.

Arraial do Cabo

With its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, radiant sunshine and abundant marine life, this coastal Brazilian city in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Arraial do Cabo, earned the nickname “Brazilian Caribbean.”

Arrail do Cabo has no currents a great amount of marine life on shallow waters. These conditions make it the perfect spot for PADI courses or having your first immersion.

Turtles are the main attraction, you can see many species of turtles including green, hawksbill and leatherbacks.

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From May to August you may also spot humpback whales and orcas, although they are typically seen breaching from the boat during diving or whale-watching excursions.

The reefs are scored with brain, lettuce and soft corals. Some of the species that can be spotted while diving are parrot fish, angel fish, trumpet fish, southern stingray, cowfish, nudibranchs, flounder fish, flying gurnard and more.

Some historical wrecks from the 1600s can be reached in just 20 minutes from the docks. On the other side of the Cabo Frio island, you can find pelagics due to the upwelling close to this island, providing memorable encounters with rare species seen in coastal waters.

You can get to Arraial do Cabo from Galeão Rio de Janeiro Airport (GIG) by bus, shuttle or taxi. Many people stay in Buzios or Cabo Frio and visit Arraial during the day.