Brazil stands out among the world’s dive destinations because of its vast Atlantic Ocean coastline. The beauty of diving in Brazil is that different regions shine at different times of the year. This makes it an excellent year-round destination. Below, we’ll cover the best times to dive in Brazil, its peak dive season and what marine life you can expect to see throughout the year.
Northeast Coast (Recife, Salvador)
Best Time to Dive: December to March
Brazil’s Northeast Coast offers some of the most exceptional wrecks, with Recife often dubbed the “Shipwreck Capital of Brazil.” Overall, the best time of year to dive in Brazil is summer. During this peak season (December to March), the tropical waters range between 27-29°C (80-84°F), with visibility of 15 to 30 meters (50 to 100 feet). Marine life is abundant, allowing divers to explore the Pirapama wreck teeming with tropical fish, barracuda and eels.
Salvador, the capital of Bahia, is home to the Cavo Artemidi wreck. This region is best explored from December to March when the water temperature is around 25-28°C (77-82°F). At this time, visibility can be 30 meters (100 feet). Within the calm, warm waters of Abrolhos Marine National Park, divers can encounter unique coral formations known as “mushroom” corals.
Fernando de Noronha
Best Time to Dive: August to December
Fernando de Noronha is one of Brazil’s renowned UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is considered an excellent destination for marine diversity and clear waters, teeming with vibrant marine life. Visibility here can reach over 30 meters (100 feet) between August and December, allowing sunlight to illuminate manta rays, dolphins and sea turtles. These animals thrive among the volcanic backdrop. Arguably, this is one of Brazil’s best dive destinations.
Southeast Coast (Rio de Janeiro & São Paulo)
Best Time to Dive: April to November
From April to November, the Southeast Coast of Brazil is a magnet for pelagic sightings. In Rio de Janeiro, the water temperatures range between 22-27°C (72-80°F), with visibility of 10 to 20 meters (33 to 65 feet). During this season, the waters surrounding Arraial do Cabo bring in cold, nutrient-rich currents, attracting manta rays, dolphins and even humpback whales during migration season (peak sightings in August and September).
São Paulo is often visited for the Laje de Santos Marine State Park, where divers can often spot whale sharks and mobula rays. This region is exquisite from December to March, when visibility can exceed 30 meters (100 feet).
Southern Brazil (Santa Catarina)
Best Time to Dive: November to February
The best time of year to dive on Brazil’s southern coast is from November to February, when this area enjoys a slightly cooler summer climate. In Santa Catarina, water temperatures range from 20-26°C (68-79°F), and divers can spot sea turtles, groupers and stingrays. Visibility ranges from 10 to 25 meters (33 to 82 feet).
Ready for Your Trip to Brazil?
Mind-blowing visibility awaits in Fernando de Noronha, incredible wreck diving lies in Recife and unique mushroom corals flourish in Bahia! At first, Brazil may not strike divers as the number-one dive destination on the planet, but after hearing what this paradise has to offer, your bucket list might need reshuffling. Explore dive resorts and liveaboards below to book your dream dive trip to Brazil.