Ilha Grande's dive sites range from shallow beginner reefs accessible from shore to advanced wall and drift dives at Fenda Jorge Grego and the cave and canyon topography of Ilha do Jorge Grego. The Green Sea Turtle is a reliable presence, while the Flying Gurnard and Guitarfish give the reefs a distinctive character. Conditions are warmest from late summer into autumn, with April and October drawing the strongest operator recommendations. Most sites require a boat.
Monthly water temperature across Ilha Grande's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water temperature peaks in the warmer months and dips to its coolest in mid-winter, creating a clear seasonal rhythm. Visibility is variable across the year, reaching its best during the calmer shoulder periods around April and October. Advanced divers should note that sites like Fenda Jorge Grego carry strong currents, which can intensify depending on conditions.
12 operators
Angra dos Reis, Brazil
Angra dos Reis, Brazil
Angra dos Reis, Brazil
13 more sites to explore
Water temperature around Ilha Grande ranges from about 22°C in July to 26°C in March, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
With water around 22–26°C, a 3mm full suit works in Ilha Grande year-round.
Fin maps 21 sites in Ilha Grande (21 scuba diving sites and 6 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
Across Ilha Grande's dive sites, January, March, April, May, June and October are most often reported as the best months to visit.
The Green Sea Turtle is commonly encountered across many sites, and the Flying Gurnard is a near-constant presence on the reefs. Guitarfish rest on sandy patches, while Seahorse and French Angelfish turn up less frequently but have been reliably observed. Bottlenose Dolphin and Spotted Eagle Ray are occasional bonuses.
Several sites are well matched to beginners. Costão da Jaconema, Ponta do Bananal, Aracatibinha, and Bunda do Elefante are all rated beginner level, with shallow reef profiles. Ponta do Bananal and Aracatibinha can even be entered from shore, making them easy first dives without needing a full boat charter.
The majority of sites are boat-access only, and operators including Elite Dive Center, Dive and Cia, and Scuba Dive Ilha Grande run trips across the area. A small number of sites, notably Ponta do Bananal and Aracatibinha, offer shore entry and suit divers who prefer independent access.
Ilha do Jorge Grego combines reefs, walls, caves, and canyons in a single site, offering considerably more topographic variety than the shallow coastal reefs closer to shore. It is rated for intermediate divers and descends notably deeper than beginner sites like Costão da Jaconema. The structural complexity makes it one of the more rewarding dives in the area for those with some experience.
