Santa Catarina is a state rich in culture, with strong marks of European immigration that came to Brazil. A good example is the parties like Oktoberfest, famous for local beers and for referring to the German culture that settled in the region.
But it is also in the state of Santa Catarina that we can find some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, being famous diving spots, sought after by divers who want to know the seabed of one of the most peculiar states of the country.
We have prepared for you a guide with the best places to dive in the state of Santa Catarina, with tips, details about the points and all the information you need to select the ones that best suit you! Check out!
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Diving in Santa Catarina
Diving in Santa Catarina is to experience the wonders of the seabed of one of the most beautiful states in Brazil and also of beaches that are always listed in lists of the best places to visit.
A good example is the Bombs diving, a true paradise that receives hundreds of visitors every weekend in high season, including many international tourists who visit the state due to the border region with Argentina and proximity to other South American countries.
As the quality of life in the state is high in relation to other regions of the country, the hotel structure, the streets and the quality of services also leave nothing to be desired, even in busy periods.
An issue to consider when the diving itinerary includes Santa Catarina is that the traffic in high season and holidays on the highways that leads to the beaches usually accumulate kilometric traffic jams, which can make the trip from one beach to another take a long time.
So, a good idea is to look for alternative transport such as motorcycles or for those who are not a fan of this type of adventure, go to Florianópolis by plane and from there move to other points, thus reducing traffic time.
In general, it is quite possible to take a route that places travel to other cities and beaches on less busy days. In any case, if you really like the crowded beaches, diving will be an incredible experience, any time of the year! See here all experiences and tours in Florianopolis.
Best spots to dive
Check out the best options for diving places in Santa Catarina and enjoy the seabed of a wonderful state!
Xavier's Island
Located in Praia Mole, Ilha do Xavier is protected from the east wind and has a maximum depth of 18 meters, but some places do not exceed five, which means that both more advanced divers and beginners can dive there. With Ikigai you can dive in Xavier Island, see more about our experience Diving Florianópolis – Xavier Island.
The southernmost part of the island has an underwater room that is a giant aquarium, housing a very large number of fish, which provides an impressive view for those who dive there.
But shipwreck lovers can also explore one in the region. The Tuna Ship Alalunga VII is between two islets close to the island and the place has stronger currents on some days, requiring little more expertise from the diver.
Arvoredo Island
Ilha do Arvoredo is considered the best scuba diving point in all of Brazil and that is no small feat, as the country has hundreds of such places.
So, anyone who wants to scuba dive or already practices scuba diving knows that Ilha do Arvoredo is a mandatory destination!
The island is located about 17 kilometers from Bombinhas and has one of the greatest diversity of marine animals in Santa Catarina, which can be observed by divers who visit the place.
In general, the visibility of Ilha do Arvoredo is excellent and varies from 10 to 18 meters, depending on the transparency of the sea. The deepest point reaches thirty meters deep.
The best thing about Ilha do Arvoredo is that it has not only a diving point, but several places that provide incredible experiences in scuba diving. Discover the main ones:
Saco do Capim is a small bay located to the southwest of the island and is sheltered from the wind that comes from the northeast, so in the summer it remains a place of calm seas without so much current.
Diving in Saco do Capim is also a chance to observe a famous shipwreck, the Granada, which lies at the bottom of the local sea. The boat was a fishing boat and had a wooden hull. Its wreckage can be seen by those who dive at the site, which also has many sea turtles and whiting.
Saco do Batismo, as the name implies, is the most suitable place for beginners in scuba diving. There, dozens of diving baptisms take place every day, since the sea there has almost no currents.
The depth of Saco do Batismo is no more than eight meters and its rocky bottom is a real spectacle for first-time divers!
Baía das Tartarugas is also ideal for those who have just the basic level or are starting their diving life and reaches a depth of 12 meters.
The bottom of the Bay is made of small slabs, which are rock formations where turtles usually stay, hence the name of the bay. There is also a cave that can be visited with the help of a more experienced diver.
Baia do Engenho, which is a very famous place for diving training. As it is considered a very safe diving point with a wide range of depth, divers of all levels do their training there, and it is even possible to receive certification.
Ponta do Farol, which is the deepest diving point on the island, reaching 33 meters, so it is only suitable for advanced level divers.
Diving in the place, however, is very beautiful and is the passage of several schools of colorful fish that can be seen by those who dive there.
Macuco Island, Bombinhas
Also located in Bombinhas, Ilha do Macuco is west of Ilha do Arvoredo.
It is also called Ilha do Amendoim and has become very famous for its beauty and calm waters that attract divers from all over Brazil.
The island is beautiful and covered by the Atlantic Forest and, at the bottom, in its waters is a shipwreck that can also be visited. The ruins of Orion, which sank in 1912, receive many divers who seek to observe the marine life that formed in the place.
The ship had left Rio de Janeiro bound for Buenos Aires, but ended up sinking in Bombinhas.
Meet all our tours in Bombinhas.
spider island
Ilha das Aranhas is located on the coast of Florianópolis and, in fact, is formed by two islets, Aranha Grande and Aranha Pequena. The two islets are located between Praia do Santinho and Praia de Moçambique.
An interesting feature of Ilha das Aranhas is that it does not have a beach, but the seven crevices that are in the region make the point for divers who go to the place.
In some points of these sales the depth can reach up to thirty meters, requiring some experience, but, in general, it is a dive with excellent visibility with observation of the rich marine life of the Islands.
Mata Hunger Island
Despite the shallow depth, it does not exceed 12 meters, which makes the Island the ideal place for diving of all levels, in the place there is also a giant aquarium with the presence of a gigantic amount of fish, being one of the most beautiful dives in the world. state.
Portobello
Portobello has a different attraction in terms of diving: mapped underwater trails! This innovative attraction makes it possible for anyone to dive on site, even without any diving experience.
The fauna and flora of the place are beautiful and many monitors offer the tour, including for children who can dive and have fun. A great option for those who want to dive as a family!
Garopaba
Garopaba, despite not being as famous for diving as Bombinhas and Florianópolis, presents great options for those who want to explore the state of Santa Catarina in depth.
One more attraction in the Garopaba itinerary is that it is the way of the Right Whales, being the only place in Brazil where it is possible to observe calves together with the mothers of this species.
In Garopaba the main diving spots are the Coral Islands, Moleques do Sul and Ilhote do Siriú.
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