Cabo Frio is known for the cold waters and strong winds that have become hallmarks of one of the most beautiful places in the country. Although it does not offer the warmth expected of a coastal city in a tropical country, Cabo Frio remains one of the main tourist destinations in the state of Rio de Janeiro, due to its beauty.
What not everyone knows is that Cabo Frio is also a well-known diving spot, with several ideal places to practice this sport that is only growing in Brazil. Check out the best diving spots in Cabo Frio!
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Advantages of diving in Cabo Frio
Cabo Frio is located in a region of Rio de Janeiro called the Lagos region and has very crystalline waters and very clear sand dunes, often with apparent salt on the coast.
Being a paradisiacal place, Cabo Frio is very popular with tourists in high season, with not even pieces of sand left on certain busier days for those who want to enjoy the sea.
As the heat of Rio de Janeiro is really strong in summer and spring, Cabo Frio becomes a very interesting alternative for tourism, since the waters, as the name implies, are much colder than the rest of the state.
This is due to its waters that, in large part, come from the currents of Antarctica and arrive cold to the coast of the city, maintaining the crystalline look of the place.
The practice of diving finds, in this scenario, ideal conditions for the sport, along with others such as surfing, schooner and boat trips and swimming in the refreshing waters of the sea.
Best diving spots in Cabo Frio
If you love diving and are dying to find the next spot to practice the sport or if you still want to get started in this sport that gains more and more fans every day, Cabo Frio may be the ideal place.
Not only Cabo Frio, but the entire Lagos Region can be a very interesting route for diving. The marine life is so diverse that the city has become a famous route that receives divers from all over the country and the world.
Those who like the idea can check below the best diving spots in Cabo Frio with the characteristics of each one to choose where to dive and which ones to put in your itinerary.
See more about our experience at Diving Cabo Frio.
Long Island
Second largest island in Cabo Frio, Ilha Comprida is undoubtedly the most famous in the region for the beauty of the beach and seas. The great advantage of diving on the Island is that it offers shelter from the strong winds that are characteristic of the city and that are contraindicated for diving because they make the sea rough.
Ilha Comprida is very famous for its night dives, where divers can see animals such as capuchin rays and large sea turtles that do not usually appear during the day.
It is only possible to reach the island by boat, as there is no bridge or other access, which makes the tour even more interesting. With Atlantic Forest vegetation preserved in reserve, it is necessary to bring food, since nothing can be sold in this region.
Inner lake
Lago de Dentro is the name given to the Canal de Papagaios, which is formed by a very extensive strip of sand that is on the inside of the channel and that is why it receives that name.
On the opposite side of the sand, the channel is made of stones and the central water reaches a depth of ten meters. As is common in cities with very strong winds, the channel and islands are the best places to dive for the protection they offer from the strong wind.
Offering a paradise look, the channel is also home to colorful corals and burrows formed of sand and rock, which hide fish, octopus and other marine animals that can be seen by divers in the extension of the place.
As if that weren't enough, the region that has more than 50 square meters for diving is also one of the largest habitats for moray eels in Rio de Janeiro, making it a must for anyone who loves diving in exuberant places!
South Bag
Saco Sul is an inlet, which geographically consists of a small bay, a water formation surrounded by land on the sides with only a small access connecting to the ocean.
It is exactly the cove formation that creates a shelter for diving, since the strong winds of Cabo Frio do not usually reach the place, making it a point for divers coming from various locations.
The Saco Sul cove is considered an aquarium of natural waters, with a maximum depth of 18 meters, which can be explored by scuba diving.
The rocks that form at the bottom of this aquarium are incredible attractions for those who decide to dive there, forming unique designs that shelter marine animals in a fauna that only Saco Sul can offer.
Ilha do Pitch
Ilha do Breu gets its name from the famous practice of night scuba diving, when the exuberant marine life is in full swing, offering really impressive photo qualities for those who decide to venture out into the sea at night.
Visibility during the day is average and can be good on specific days and the Island has several diving spots on its coast.
The Ponta Nordeste region of the island is famous for the large number of turtles that inhabit the sea, which reaches a maximum depth of 14 meters.
The outside, which is the southern region of the island, is the passage of very large fish that circulate through the region on their way to spawn in warmer places and that can be seen by divers who frequent the island.
A wall of rocks helps to form a true magazine scenario in this part of Ilha do Breu, which reaches 17 meters deep in some places.
Capões Island
Capões Island is another sensational diving spot that anyone who wants to dive in the Lagos Region cannot miss!
Being a small island, Capões is ideal for diving in greater depth, which allows entry into burrows, passages through rocks, slabs and a large number of animals from the bottom of the sea.
Although the Ilha dos Capões dive is a must, this practice is more suitable for more experienced divers or at least with a longer course so that there are no risks due to the greater depth.
The current in Capões is stronger, which allows the view of schools of fish that are passing through and that, therefore, reach enormous sizes and are an attraction for diving that reaches up to 24 meters in deeper places.
parrots island
This is the largest and closest island to the coast of Cabo Frio. The place has more than six diving options for those who want to explore all the exuberant beauty of Rio de Janeiro.
Being the most visited place in Cabo Frio besides the coast, Ilha dos Papagaios has stretches of sea that can reach up to 40 meters deep in its width and that also has shelter from the winds that come from the East.
The sea floor on Ilha dos Papagaios is formed by sand and also by mud, which forms a very beautiful look when added to the large amount of marine animals and fish that are observed during the dive.
The island's first and second coves are ideal for shallower dives and beginner baptisms. There are also diving classes for those who want to deepen their practice of the sport.
The seabed reaches a depth of 21 meters in the region that divides the second from the third cove, with beautiful rock formations that can be easily seen due to the crystal clear water.
Discover all the city's experiences at Cabo Frio ride.
Geographic formation of Cabo Frio for diving
As Cabo Frio has very strong winds, the beaches that are most suitable for diving are those of islands and coves, which are thus protected from the wind, creating paradise for those who love to see the seabed.
Thanks to the geographical formation with numerous channels, islands and inlets, Cabo Frio has numerous other spots that are also great for diving, such as Ilha das Emerências, Ilha Dois Irmãos and Ilha dos Pargos.
The options are numerous and it is possible to create a rich diving itinerary only in Cabo Frio of at least a week, given the diversity of the place and rich marine life, which can be observed during the day or at night!
It is important to always count on the support of diving professionals if you are a beginner or if you have children diving. Cabo Frio is also the ideal setting to take diving lessons and enjoy all the beauty of the place.
Don't forget to use the necessary equipment and take care of safety, especially check areas with strong wind that are not recommended for diving! Dive into Cabo Frio and make your tour unforgettable!
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