Snorkeling & Diving in Paraty Bay: A Guide to the Underwater Life

The Bay of Ilha Grande is sheltered, shallow in many spots and dotted with islands fringed by rocky walls — the ideal recipe for snorkeling and diving. The water doesn't have Caribbean clarity, but the marine life is rich: shoals of fish, sea urchins, starfish and, with luck, turtles.

Snorkeling: no experience needed

Almost every boat tour stops at the same islands where snorkeling is best. The islands' sheltered rock walls concentrate the fish, and the shallow depth keeps everything visible even from the surface. Bring your own mask and snorkel, or use the ones available on board.

Discover scuba: your first dive

If you've never dived, you can do a discover-scuba dive: an instructor-led descent with no prior certification, in shallow, calm water. It's the safest way to go under for the first time and breathe beneath the surface — an experience that tends to rank among the best memories of the trip.

Best season and visibility

Visibility improves in winter (July and August), when it rains less and the water clears. In summer, rain and boat traffic can make the water murkier. In any season, favor the morning, when the sea is calmer and the light penetrates better.