Lagoa dos Ingleses offers diving in MG

Located 25 km from Belo Horizonte, in Nova Lima, Minas Gerais, the artificial lake, originally called the Lake Grand Lake and later the Lagoa dos Ingleses, because the origin of its founders, was established in order to be a dam to store Rainwater used to generate electricity for Mina de Morro Velho. 

With easy access and favorable conditions, through the clubs linked with the pond and water during the dry season provides a visibility of about 6 to 8 meters, each year increasing the demand for diving activity.

Has a neutral background and desert, composed of red earth and also on clay. The average depth varies between 4 and 12 meters – may reach 20 meters in some areas. The temperature varies from 17 to 22 degrees depending on the season.

Displays small flooded forests, where the diver walks between trees covered with slime and algae and small fish by creating a beautiful scenery.

The Lagoa dos Ingleses is a good option for people who have little immediate investment to make the plunge into the high seas.

Source: Deco Stop

Bombinhas is one of the resorts favored by fans of diving

Made up of 18 beaches, four islands and two ecological parks, Bombinhas, located 60 km from Florianopolis, is simply enchanting. Almost an island, for its location at the end of the peninsula of Porto Belo, this small territory of just 36.6 kilometers ², giving it the status of the country’s smallest county, is part of a series of beaches that form the Emerald Coast.

With all its natural beauty, the city offers a variety of entertainment and sports, especially water, for all tastes and ages. Known as the `Capital of the Ecological dive`, Bombinhas is one of the most popular resorts for those who practice diving, winning fame even abroad.

DIVING POINTS

ISLAND OF GALÉS

The Island of Wales is one of the most important breeding sites for seabirds of the Brazilian coast. Is also that there is the sinking of Lili, sunk in 1958 during a fog. The boat is more than 5 meters deep. The diving there can also be done by beginners, and you can see turtles, rays and friars.

ARVOREDO ISLAND

Highly sought after area for diving. Its rich fauna involves species of birds, snakes, reptiles, turtles and sea birds, some migratory, which eventually make nests on the island.

Source: The Day Online

Diving sites – Cabo Frio (RJ)

Overshadowed by the glamour of Búzios and the fame of Arraial do Cabo as a diving destination, Cabo Frio has gone almost unnoticed by Brazilian divers.

But one just needs to peruse a nautical chart to see that the place is promising. A wonderful archipelago made up of six islands that extends off the coast, providing more than 30 diving sites.

Sea conditions vary, as they do along the entire southeastern coast. Visibility can exceed 30 meters and 25 degrees centigrade and, the very next day, drop to 10 meters and 12 degress centigrade. All of this because of the famous upswelling -  a cold current responsible for the name of the cape. One of Cabo Frio’s biggest advantages is it proximity to diving sites.

Ilha Comprida – Face Norte
A rocky mesa that covers an area of approximately 40 m2,a t a depth of 4 to 6 meters. to the left, near the passage way to Laje da Alagada, there are large burrows and a high incidence of open-water fish, including barracudas. Night divings is recommended.

Ilha Comprida – Laje de Dentro
A long strip of fine sand at 10 meters, and the not-so-rare presence of large rays and small nurse sharks at rest. Near the southern tip, a large rock formation serves as shelter for many moray eels. Excellent spot for underwater photography.

Ilha Comprida
The inlet is sheltered from the Northeastern and eastern winds. A rock formation with a strip of sand in the center provides shelter for rays, turtles, lobsters, many nudibranchs and various species of fish. Tumpetfish can be found at night.

Ilha Dois Irmãos
Excellent place for open water fish, but the timing is restricted to calm ocean days. Rarely visited, it offers rich and peculiar animal life. On the western side, the current makes drift dives possible.

Ilha dos Papagaios
The site most visited by dive operators. Exciting marine biodiversity: octopuses, spotted eagle rays, soft corals, nudibranchs and tropical fish. The sea is always calm, ideal for begginers. Don’t miss the site that divides the second and third inlets: a rock formation rising up to 21 meters has beautiful entrances and small caves in its shallower part – a small cathedral. In the third inlet, passageways in a wall that descends to 28 meters.

Carolina
Carolina lies near the mouth of the Araruama channel, from where the boats depart. The shipwreck is in pieces, with only the boilers left. But its structure can be easily discerned. A good place for macrophotography and night diving.

Source: Brazil Diving Guide

Scuba Diving in Salvador

Salvador has roughly islands and boasts Brazil’s largest bay. The city is symbolized by its beautiful beaches and the catchy rhythms of its music.

You will still find the wreckage of sunkenships, the aftermath of battles fought centuries ago. Bottles, cannon, Chinese porcelain, Portuguese faience, these and other historical items have been brought up from the shipwrecks. Salvador is bathed by the Brazil Current, wich brings in ocean waters and ensures great visibility.

From november to march the average temperature is 26 degrees centigrade. However, diver should beware of possible currents.

On dry land there is a history lesson on every street corner: Salvador was the first capital of Brazil, and dates back to 1554, when Thomé de Souza came to the then Vila do Porto da Barra.

Salvador’s historical center is today recognized as Latin America’s most important concentration of colonial architecture. The Pelourinho neighborhood, the center of local cultural life, contrasts with the city’s major town planning projects.

Guarajuba
Guarajuba Beach has some excellent spots for scuba diving. The seabed is made up of rocks and corals, sheltering large fish such as Mackerel, Greater Amberjack, and Groupers. Rays can be seen. The beach is famous for having the region’s clearest waters.

Salvador
This shipwreck allows you to observe the lush sea life swarming among what remains of the metal structure. The Salvador, a paddle steamer, lies off Juá beach.

Galeão Sacramento
This flagship foundered on the Santo Antônio Bank and sank in 1668. Divers can still find many cannons and anchors in its wreckage. The place is also a great nursey for fishes, lobsters and molusks.

Cavo Artemidi
Divers see this wreck as a kind of sanctuary: the ship is 160 meters long and is undoubtedly one of the largest wrecks in Brazilian waters. The Greek cargo ship foundered on the Santo Antônio Banks in 1980. The ship has become an enormous aquarium, sheltering large fishes such as Atlantic Goliath groupers, nurse sharks, rays, barracuda and mackerel.

Germânia
Early twenthieth-century German cargo vessel. This shipwreck is recommended for night diving and for free diving, and is acessible from the beach. Schools of doctor fish, Rio de la Plata one sided live bearers, and Yellowtail Amberjacks are commonly found, as well as lobsters, crabs and other mollusks.

Ho Mei III
A recently – shipwreck fishing vessel. The ship is now home to schools of red snappers, lane snappers, grunts, Spanish mackerel and spadefish. Visibility is ussualy around 15 meters. The ship is 30 meters long, without any superstructure.

Quebra – Mar
This is one of Salvador’s best options for sheltered diving. The rock wall is home to a multitude of corals, sponges and sea fans. Divers can easily view morays, batfish, seahorses, wrasse, surgeonfish, angelfish, Rock Beauty and French Angelfish.

Blackadder
This steel-built Norwegian coal transport vessel is 50 meters long, and lies close to the reef, listing to starboard. The bow is the best-preserved section, and divers can swim in and out of it. The wreckage has been colonized by a vast array of sponges, corals, fishes and other sea animal.

Source: Brazil Diving Guide

Shipwrecks in Alagoas Brazil

The capital of Alagoas (Maceió) is know for its beaches, nightlife, highly competitive prices and the traditional friendliness of its people. Its infrastructure has improved considerably during the past ten years.

Additionally, Maceió has the largest number of know sites in the state. Water visibility is good, varying from 6 to 30 meters depending on winds and currents, as well as the rain season that usually goes from May to July. On the other hand, special days with visibility of over 30 meters are possible from September to March.

Itapagé

This is one of the most attractive shipwrecks off the Brazilian coast. Torpedoed by a German U-boat in World War II, the Itapajé appears twisted and became a giant artificial reef, offering many penetration possibilities into its interior. A huge number of small fish is present.

Dragão

The ship sank circa 1918 and became also known as the “Frenchman’s shipwreck”. It is a small shipwreck, less than 50 meters in length, but some of its compartments can be penetread. The main attractons are its gears and the intense marine life on the site. Barracudas, cobias and rays are frequently seen. Schools of very red squirrelfish stand out against the intense blue of the ocean. Some of the coral that covers the wreckage may harbor batfish. Visibility is excellent.

Praia do Frânces

The barrier reef runs parallel to the beach for 2.5 kilometers, 100 meters away. During low tide, the site is excellent for discovery scuba and check-out dives. Various tropical fish species can be seen, such as butterfly rays and sergeant fish. There are also the remnants of two seventeenth-century ships that carried tiles and brazilwood.

Sequipe

A barge built to navigate on sheltered waters that sank in rough seas. The shipwreck is about 20 meters in lenght and does not have cabins or nay type of compartment that may be penetread. A winch motor stands out among the wreckage. The site’s main attraction is its marine life. The wreckage is home to many rays, cobias and large schools of yellom jacks. Visibility is excellent.

Draguinha

The dredger is completely overturned. Its bow is formed by two hulls, separated by a space of approximately 3 meters where the dredging structure was located. It is still possible to see the dredger’s boom resting on the hull, firmly supported on the ocean floor.

Cabeço de Guaxuma

A short reef with a maximum height of three meters. The rock is literally covered by red squirrelfish. Their concentration in a single location is impressive. The coral formation is poor, but there are many lobsters in their crevices and some “well-behaved” moray eels. Schools of white angelfish make the dive even more interesting.

Pedra Baia

The rock formation is similiar to that Cabeço de Guaxuma. There are many tropical fish, including rock hind, blue tang, porkfish and blowfish. It is a good site for macro photography. Lobsters can be easily found, as well as small moray eels and barbfish.

Source: Brazil Diving Guide

Meet the dive sites of the Chapada Diamantina

Gruta da Pratinha

The part of the country called the Chapada Diamantina rises out of Brazil’s northeaster sertão or “backlands”. Hundreds of thousands of years ago these mountains lay at the bottom of the ocean, but now rise over 1000 meters above sea level.

The Chapada welcomes divers year-round to its crystal clear waters in places such as Gruta da Pratinha and Poço Azul, where the skeletons of prehistoric animals have been found.

Diamond mining in the late nineteenth century hacked huge wounds in the landscape, wich still bears the scars of diamond prospecting. In the twentieth century mining stagnated , and the economy suffered. Howewer, agriculture and livestock breeding then flourished, and tourism took off a few years ago. It is to be hoped that the latter activity has come to saty.

Gruta Azul

This lake possesses fascinating rock formations and exceptionally transparent water. The area of the cavern is approximately one thousand square meters, and its covers the entire lake. To reach it by land there is a steep descent down a staircase carved in the rock. The lake is fed by a spring and is heavily sediment.

Gruta da Pratinha

The cavern lies below the ranch house of the Pratinha farm. The blue is even more intense when seen from the cavern. There is a very beautiful rock formation. Thousands of fish reflect the torchlight, providing a beautiful spectacle. The visit follows the main passageway to the skinhole down to Gruta Azul. From that point onwards, only experienced divers should continue.

Rio Pratinha

The river rises in the Gruta da Pratinha, and forms a lake with crystal clear water – with visibility of 30 meters. On the opposite shore there is a cliff with a small cave, in wich divers can practice snorkeling to observe tilapia, characins and other small freshwater fish.

Os Impossíveis

The cave lies 3 kilometers from the Fazenda Pratinha ranch house, and is reached by a pathway atop a 50 meter drop, with very tight clefts, a tunnel cut from the rock through which visitors must crawl, steep slopes you lower yourself down by clinging on tree trunks, and a river flowing out of the cave and flooding the first chamber, making a type of quicksand. In the cave there are chambers decorated with stalactites, curtains and wonderful speleothems, or cave deposits.

Poço Azul

Several passages make up a kind of maze conecting with the underground lake. Several hollows have been sculpted out of the rock. Right below the wooden platform there is a skinhole down to another chamber. At the bottomthere are skeletons, including that of a giant sloth. On the opposite bank, wich is a larger area, you will find rock formations and small crustaceans.

Poço Encantado

This is a lake inside a cavern, with crystal clear blue water, through wich you can observe submerged boulders and tree trunks over 50 meters deep. From july to august, sunlight enters through a cleft in the cave, and a beam of light falls on the surface of the lake. The cavern is currently closed, but with the new cave diving regulations brought in by IBAMA it may open again.

Photo: ipt.olhares.com

Source: Brazil Diving Guide

Diving point Paraiba

The state capital, João Pessoa, is less well know than its trendy sister cities of the northeast: Natal and Recife. But it does not leave anything to be desired. On the contrary. Midway between its famous neighbors, roughly an hour by car from each one, João Pessoa is the point of departure for the major diving spots of the region: beautiful reefs and must see shipwrecks. João Pessoa really  has many beautiful surprises.

Few people know that João Pessoa is Brazil’s leafiest capital city. It is also the safest of the Northeast ant the only one where there are no skyscrapers on the coastal avenues – a strict municipal code limits the height of buildings to three floors. And thre’s more: the first sunrays of the Americas fall here, since the city lies at the eastern most point of the continent, Ponta dos Seixas – wich means visitors have to get up early. Not a problem.

There is so much to see and enjoy on the Paraíba coast: urban or deserted beaches, with powder white sand and coonut palms and cliffs of unique beauty, restaurants with excellent traditional cuisine, a wealth of handicrafts and historic attractions. That is, if one doesn’t spend every walking minute underwater.

Pedra de Baixo

The sandstone reef, covered by algae and corals, is know for its large sponges and starfish. Sharks, goliath groupers and others groupers hide in their small holes. Visibility ranges from 15 to 30 meters, during the summer. It is sough out mainly by novive divers seeking greater depths.

Erie (or Queimado)

The most popular shipwreck on the Paraíba coast. This two-thousand ton American ship sank after catching fire, in 1873, and today is found completely broken-up. The wreckage is spread over 100 meters of sand. A large patially buried propeller lies in the sand and many schools of small fish are the main attractions. Average visibility ranges from 20 to 30 meters.

Alvarenga

Intact and uprigth, the small shipping barge is a beatiful shipwreck when viewed from a certain distance. When desceding, you can see the entire outline of Alvarenga, 20 meters in length, 5 meters in width and simple in structure. It is possible to pass through the compartments from bow to stern. And there is lots of life inside there. Nurse sharks, schools of spadefish, lobsters and green eels are commonly seen. The shallow depth, clear water and white sands give the location a peaceful feel.

Alice

This 53 meter steamship sank in 1911. The iron hull is in pieces. The bow is listing to port, with the highest point at a depth of 7.5 meters. A large anchor remains linked to the ship by a thick chain. Up toward the bow, one can see the round boilers and parts of the steam engine. The aft part of the hull is in an upright position and the bow still maintains part of its original shape. Many moray eels, octopuses, small lobsters and large schools of grunts are often seen above the wreckage. And excellent spot begginners.

Cabeço dos Cangulos

On the flat seabed of the continental shelf, there are formations of small mounds and limestone algae and outgrowths of large sponges. Each with its own special microfauna, made up of small shrimp, crabs, octopuses, eels and small fish. The name of the spot comes from the large number of triggerfish species, listed as threatened with extinction.

Sapatas

This is a new diving site, a small natural reff against a seabed of light colored sand and grave. It is composed of various elongated mounds spread over the ocean floor, on wich grow macroalgae, corals, sponges and other organisms. Schools of fish frequent the area and surround divers.

Canyon

As the name suggest, it is a trench in the continental shelf probably formed by a river that emptied there eons ago. The shallowest part is 36 meters from the surface and the trench extends for 56 meters. High rockly walls separate the flat surface of the shelf from the steep slope of the canyon. Various shapes and colors of sponges almost completely cover the ocean floor.

Source: Brazil Diving Guide

Diving sites – Rio Grande do Norte

Know as the “Land of the sun”, Rio Grande do Norte basks in up to 15 hours a day of sunshine and summer last year-round.

The beaches feature with sands, dunes and coconut trees. And the reefs form beatiful natural pools. This combination has made it one of the most popular destinations in Brazil among foreigners. Whereas divers – even brazilian divers – are still discovering the region. But those have been there know: the Rio Grande do Norte coastline is one of the best places in the country for diving and has the potential of rapidly becoming one of the most popular destinations in Brazil.

The waters are warm and clear, and rich in marine life. The reefs have exotic formations and the shipwrecks are covered in sponges and multicolored corals.

Comandante Pessoa

The shipwreck is a stomping ground of the southern stingray. They can be found in every nook and cranny. The number of tubular yellow sponges is also impressive. Schools of small fingerlings, anchovies and great barracudas are always present. The ship, wich sank to the ocean floor in 1954 after colliding with the Risca do Zumbi, is completely twisted and part of the broadside rises 12 m above the seabed. The stern is listing, but it is possible to enter its hold. A large rudder rises from the ship toward the surface. The bow is still intact, though slightly listining, with the anchor in its hawse.

Risca do Zumbi

One of the best diving sites in Brazil. The shelf is flat and smooth, supported by hundreds of Greek acropolis style columns – there are those who say they are the ruins of Atlantis.
The pillar form a real labyrinth, witn some narrow passages where snags and tight spots require special attention, especially when currents are strong. A large hall of white sand provides passage from one side to the other. Surrounding the main formation, there are other smaller ones. The marine life is another show altogether. Corals, sponges and an infinite variety of tropical fish make diving a colorful experience.

São Luiz

Despite its deteriorated condition and lack of entry points, the transparency of the water and the itensity of the marine life rank it among the most beautiful shipwrecks of Brazil. The cargo ship sank in 1911. Part of its broadside has collapsed to form a long tunel, one of its major attractions. The seafloor is made up of pearl white sand, wich helps illuminate the environment. Yellow tubular spongesadorn the wreckage, wich serves as habitat for lobsters, eels, spotted eagle rays and barracudas.

Parrachos de Maracajaú

One of the prime tourist locations of Rio Grande do Norte. There are kilometers of knolls that lie 4 miles off the coast of Maracajaú, protected by extensive coral reefs, wich from above could be confused with the Great Barrier Reffs of Australian. At low tide, visibility rises to more than 20 meters, which makes it one of the best spots for snorkeling along the Brazilian coast. All one has to do is fall in the water to be surrounded by schools of sergeant majors and other tropical fish. The location is also perfect for discovery scuba and check-out dives.

Batente das Agulhas

On a submerged shelf, hundreds of 2.5 meter high columns – the needles – support corals and yellow tubular sponges. Geologists believe that they are petrified tree trunks, but there is no consensus on the matter. Beneath the shelf, there are tunnels and many burrows. The mounds are surrounded by schools of barracudas, and many French angelfish, eels, rays and lobsters.

Source: Brazil Diving Guide

Whales and dolphins in São Paulo

Sighting dolphins and whales, live with caiçara communities and experience the rich marine life off the coast of São Paulo (Brazil) are some of the attractions for those who venture into the scripts of the dive.

In a joint initiative between fishermen, dive associations and the State Department of Environment, have been mapped about 80 points – divided into eight routes – where you can perform the activity. The project goal is to make the people know the marine life and go to save it.

Located in areas of environmental preservation, the scripts include islands in the region of Ubatuba, Ilhabela, São Sebastião, Santos and Itanhaém. In all of them, you can find companies dive operators.

See more in Portal Mergulho Brazil!!!

Photo: Wikpedia

By Carla Layane

Dive sites in Brazil

The best dive site is the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha. It’s the most untouched spot, and it’s simply gorgeous on the surface, appealing to everyone. The difficulty ranges from beginner to advance. Best time of the year is from July to December for beginners, all year round for advanced divers. It’s one of the most expensive dive sites to go.

The second best is Abrolhos. It’s an archipelago some four to six hours from land, where you can’t go on shore, so either you make one-day trips or take a live-aboard on one of several boats. The dives are very, very calm, shallow and relaxed, and though the visibility is not as good as Noronha, but the richness of the corals and marine life is incredible. It’s good for all levels of experience. Best time of the year is November to March, when it is also possible to watch whales.

The region between Recife/Olinda in the north and Maceio in the south is named the Golden Coast, and here are several excellent spots of scuba diving and the access is much easier than mentioned archipelagos. Around Recife & Olinda is considered excellent for advanced divers, rich of marine life like turtles and sharks, and many sunk ships, but the sea is usually very, very rough. To the south there are many dive friendly spots for snorkeling, scuba dive beginners and also advanced diving. In Porto de Galinhas for instance, is a very pleasant village with many nice sites for good diving and an excellent area for diving courses. In this region the diving is good during the whole year.

The best spots for scuba diving in the south of Brazil are between São Paulo & Rio de Janeiro. Of course they are not as good as mentioned sites in the northeast, but comparing world wide, this region is very good as well. To indicate some spots in the area should be Barra do Una, Ubatuba, Paraty, Ilha Grande and Arraial do Cabo.

Rio da Prata, in Bonito

The best dive site is the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha. It’s the most untouched spot, and it’s simply gorgeous on the surface, appealing to everyone. The difficulty ranges from beginner to advance. Best time of the year is from July to December for beginners, all year round for advanced divers. It’s one of the most expensive dive sites to go.

The second best is Abrolhos. It’s an archipelago some four to six hours from land, where you can’t go on shore, so either you make one-day trips or take a live-aboard on one of several boats.

The dives are very, very calm, shallow and relaxed, and though the visibility is not as good as Noronha, but the richness of the corals and marine life is incredible.

It’s good for all levels of experience. Best time of the year is November to March, when it is also possible to watch whales.

The region between Recife/Olinda in the north and Maceio in the south is named the Golden Coast, and here are several excellent spots of scuba diving and the access is much easier than mentioned archipelagos.

Around Recife & Olinda is considered excellent for advanced divers, rich of marine life like turtles and sharks, and many sunk ships, but the sea is usually very, very rough. To the south there are many dive friendly spots for snorkeling, scuba dive beginners and also advanced diving.

In Porto de Galinhas for instance, is a very pleasant village with many nice sites for good diving and an excellent area for diving courses. In this region the diving is good during the whole year.

The best spots for scuba diving in the south of Brazil are between São Paulo & Rio de Janeiro. Of course they are not as good as mentioned sites in the northeast, but comparing world wide, this region is very good as well.

To indicate some spots in the area should be Barra do Una, Ubatuba, Paraty, Ilha Grande and Arraial do Cabo.

Source: packtours

Picture: Andre Seale