The 5 Best Dive Sites in Rio de Janeiro

If you're looking for the best dive sites in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, come with me!

A lot of people want to dive in Rio de Janeiro and don't quite know where to start — or think Arraial do Cabo, our famous Diving Capital, is the only dive destination in the region.

They couldn't be more wrong: the coast of Rio de Janeiro hides a whole range of dive sites, perfect whether you're about to do your very first dive or you're already certified and looking to keep progressing.

Each destination has its own personality, with different depths, conditions, and scenery, and that's exactly what makes Rio de Janeiro such a playground for divers of every level <3

In this post, I'll walk you through the 5 best dive sites in Rio de Janeiro so you can start planning your next dive trip. 🌊

The 5 Best Dive Sites in Rio de Janeiro

1. Búzios

A lot of people consider Búzios the best dive destination in Rio de Janeiro, and I get why.

The main spot is the beautiful Ilha de Âncora (Anchor Island), located 11 km off the coast of Búzios. The island holds several dive sites and is affectionately known as the Turtle Sanctuary. And the name isn't an exaggeration: it really does feel like they live there.

Besides the resident turtles, it's common to spot rays, generous schools of fish, moray eels, lobsters, and octopuses roaming around.

What I love most about Ilha de Âncora is the variety of dives it offers.

• Want a shallow, long dive to take in the marine life at a relaxed pace? Perfect — we head to the upper part of the island, at around 10 meters deep, with tons of diversity to explore.

• Looking for a spot to complete your deep diving course? That works too: we head to Ponta Leste or the beautiful Pitangola, where you can go past 30 meters (and yes, tec divers are very welcome too!).

• Drift dives, current dives, Divemaster training? Ilha de Âncora has it almost all covered — we're just missing a shipwreck nearby haha.

Ilha de Âncora, known as Turtle Sanctuary

Keep in mind the boat ride there takes about 1 hour from downtown Búzios, and it can get a little choppy depending on the wind. So if you get seasick easily, it's best to come prepared.

And that's not all: Búzios also offers diving at Ilha de Gravatás, right next to Ilha de Âncora, plus Ilha Branca and Ilha Feia, closer to downtown. There's also João Fernandinho Beach, where — especially heading out by boat — you can do an amazing drift dive along the outer coast.

João Fernandes Beach, meanwhile, is great for beginners: shallow, generally calm water, ideal for courses and practising skills, and also a fantastic spot for a night dive.

And that's because I've only talked about the diving, right? Búzios is also a gorgeous town, full of attractions, culture, nightlife, and great food.

🔗 Read Also: How to get to Buzios from Rio de Janeiro

2. Arraial do Cabo

Crystal-clear waters, good conditions most of the year, more than 20 dive sites for every level, plenty of operators, and a rock-solid diving community: it's easy to see why Arraial do Cabo is a must-visit for any diver. Yes, I'm talking about our beloved Diving Capital.

The main sites are around Ilha dos Porcos and Ilha do Farol, about a 15-minute boat ride from the Arraial pier.

And that's not even mentioning the city's lush nature: just a short walk gets you to almost every beach in town, with breathtaking views. Ah, I miss it...

Arraial is also known for its cold water, thanks to the resurgence that brings nutrients up from deep water and makes marine life even richer.

I've been coming to Arraial do Cabo since I was a teenager and always loved that small-town feel, where you can get almost everywhere on foot. When I started working in diving, I lived there for two years and learned a lot from the local diving community, which is always a great thing when you want to grow.

The city has dive centers with decades of experience, like Arraial Sub and SeaQuest.

🔗 Read Also: 10 Reasons to Try Scuba Diving in Arraial do Cabo

3. Ilha Grande

Another amazing destination for nature lovers. Ilha Grande is the most rustic destination on this list, but that doesn't mean it's hard to reach: the main boats leave from Angra dos Reis and Mangaratiba.

Visibility there can go past 20 meters on good days. Among the most sought-after sites are Gruta do Acaiá, Parcel dos Meros, and the Pinguino Shipwreck.

In Ilha Grande, expect to find coral reefs, colourful schools of fish, turtles, and, with luck, even dolphins rounding out the scene.

The water temperature tends to be pleasant year-round, which makes Ilha Grande a great pick both for beginners and more experienced divers.

4. Paraty

A charming town. Everyone who's been there falls in love with Paraty!

It was my first dive destination in Brazil, back in 2021, and I remember being really impressed by the quality of the dive operation and how different it was diving there.

Paraty has both shallow and deep dives, with several sites spread across the region.

The best ones are about an hour's boat ride from Marina do Engenho, where the main dive boats in town depart from.

And I can't leave out how beautiful Marina do Engenho is, worth the visit on its own (it's even where famous sailor Amyr Klink keeps his boat).

I did my IDC (Instructor Development Course) with DiveParaty and hold them close to my heart — they gave me flawless support from start to finish. Another great operator in the area is Adrenalina Mergulho.

Marina do Engenho, in Paraty

5. Cabo Frio

Cabo Frio is another great place to dive in Rio de Janeiro, especially for how easy it is to reach from downtown RJ or other states, like Minas Gerais.

The city is about 2 hours from Downtown Rio, with plenty of bus options to destinations across Brazil, and even an airport with commercial flights to other places such as São Paulo and Buenos Aires.

The main dive site there is Ilha dos Papagaios. Its coves are well sheltered from the prevailing winds, which keeps conditions good most of the year.

Depth varies by area: there are shallow, calm coves that are great for beginners, and walls that go past 20 meters for more experienced divers.

Turtles and rays are frequent company, especially on night dives.

AlphaDive is a great option for diving in Cabo Frio. They have a great setup and welcome divers year-round!

So, ready to dive in Rio de Janeiro?

Enjoyed getting to know the best dive sites in Rio de Janeiro? I'm a native of Rio de Janeiro, born here, travelled the world, and now I'm back — and I can't wait to help you plan your next dive trip through these waters.

Message me on @divenomadbr and let's set up your next trip. See you underwater. 🤿