Dive recommendations for Rio de Janeiro

[Katrina]

I will be in Rio for a wedding in January. Does anyone have recommendations for diving nearby. I've looked at the threads and realize Fernando de Noronha gets the best reviews, but I'm not sure I want to have to fly. Also, it sounds like there's not much above water there. If anyone believes that Fernando is so much superior to the Rio area, then let me know that, too.

Operator recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[Hawkeye Mark]

Actually thinking about going around Xmas. My wife is from there. Havent been there in 5 years. South of Rio around Angra and Isla Grande is supposed to be good. I went there but before I got into diving. My wife brought me back a t shirt with map of dive sites. Angra is 3-4 hour drive south of Rio. See linnk below

http://www.guiademergulho.com.br/Gmi/index.htm

 

[stu_in_fl]

When I was in Rio I didn't do any diving (so wasn't really looking around for operators) - a nice day/weekend trip is to Buzios (a few hours drive from Rio) - lots of operators there...and well worth a visit to get out of the hussle and busstle of Rio (I was there for 6 months, so needed a relaxing break!)
..the other Brazilian place I dived was in Salvador, Bahia - great city...diving was ok (some nice wrecks) but the visibility was limited....the fun in the city more than makes up for it though!

 

[stevsgarage]

I'm also in the same boat as Katrina. I'll be going to Rio in March of 06 for a week and staying in Rio. I hope to make a trip to Buzios but would like to make some dives from Rio and spend afternoons with family.

 

[Apollo]

Katrina: Fernando de Noronha has world class diving, whereas places within 3 hours by bus from Rio are just average for the Atlantic Ocean. Dive operatos in Noronha: http://www.atlantisnoronha.com.br/english/default.asp, http://www.aguasclaras-fn.com.br/en_index_corpo.htm and http://www.noronhadivers.com.br

Leiserom: near Rio I've dived in Arraial do Cabo (coral reef, 170 km east of Rio, visibility was 3-15 meters); we did good dives with Édson, cel phone (21) 8817-9426 (I'm not sure if he speaks English).

I dived in Angra dos Reis / Ilha Grande (coral reef, wrecks, located 125 km west of Rio plus 90-minute boat ride, visibility 5-10 meters) with http://www.elitedivecenter.com.br, which is run by a family of two very enthusiastic instructors and one divemaster.

Stu_in_Fl: Salvador has dozens of old wrecks and some coral reef; visibility is 3-15 meters inside the bay and 6-30 meters outside the bay, where lies the 170-meter-long Cavo Artemidi, which is the biggest ship wreck in Brazil. The dive operators that I've used: http://www.divebahia.com.br, http://www.bahiascuba.com.br and http://www.uwbahia.com.br

 

[drbill]

I've heard a few divers talk about Santa Catalina Island south of Rio. Of course it holds interest for me, but I've never dived it myself.

 

[stu_in_fl]

Stu_in_Fl: Salvador has dozens of old wrecks and some coral reef; visibility is 3-15 meters inside the bay and 6-30 meters outside the bay, where lies the 170-meter-long Cavo Artemidi, which is the biggest ship wreck in Brazil. The dive operators that I've used: http://www.divebahia.com.br, http://www.bahiascuba.com.br and http://www.uwbahia.com.br

yes, I dived on a Cavo Artemidi a couple of times - it was a very nice wreck and a few others as well. - must admit, i never really did have great viz but it wasn't always too bad........I wish I could have got to the Abrolhos or Fernando de Naronha
Here is another list with Bahia dive ops on it: http://www.mergulho.salvador.ba.gov.br/operadora.asp
- along with dive bahia i also dived with sea view.

 

[arenny]

I was born and raised in Rio so if you want to PM me I can give you some tips about the city. Where diving is concerned... Angra dos Reis which is south of Rio has ok diving, the water is always very, very green which makes for weird photos. I heard Paraty has great diving and it is a cute historical town, haven't been there yet. Angra is about 3 hours from Rio. Arraial do Cabo has by far the best diving in Rio. If you go during the week, the DMs show you all kinds of stuff and they are very patient with photographers. Buzios is nice but it is more of a "cattle dive" everybody follow your DM quick, no time for pics. Buzios is a nicer city to stay in. They are both North of Rio.
Abrolhos is very nice, it is an island off the coast of Bahia. Live aboard ony, very cheap.
PM me for contacts and anything else. Live in Monterey now but going back to visit in March!

Andrea

 

[Hawkeye Mark]

I was on Ilha Grande last year. I went out with Elite dive center. good dives. Experienced divers on a fast boat. surface action was more interesting though.

Relatives came here(wilds of NW Houston) this year. Hope to return next XMAS.

 

[vjongene]

I will be in Rio for a wedding in January. Does anyone have recommendations for diving nearby. I've looked at the threads and realize Fernando de Noronha gets the best reviews, but I'm not sure I want to have to fly. Also, it sounds like there's not much above water there. If anyone believes that Fernando is so much superior to the Rio area, then let me know that, too.

Operator recommendations?

I have dived several times in the Angra dos Reis area. The diving is IMHO mediocre at best: limited viz, not very much marine life, and the water can be cold with sharp thermoclines. But it is still better than the lake of Geneva ;-)

For operators, I liked Aquamaster in Angra, and if you have a few days the Pousada Sankay on Ilha Grande is a fantastic place to stay, and has a very decent dive op.

HTH,

Victor