Chapeirão Mau Mau - Abrolhos

We’re big fans of the Kona coast, and Golden Arches gives you a solid taste of what makes it special. The site itself is pretty straightforward, a sloping reef that starts shallow and goes down to about 19 meters. What we really appreciate here are the arches themselves, volcanic rock formations that you can swim through. Dropping through the biggest one, watching the light filter down from the surface, feels like entering another world. The currents can pick up, so it's wise to check the conditions. We’ve found the visibility to be best once you get a little deeper, away from any surge. Keep an eye out for Oriental flying gurnards shuffling along the sandy patches, they're always a treat. You’ll also see plenty of the usual suspects, like the colourful regal parrotfish munching on coral, and schools of manini darting around. If you're lucky, you might even spot a manta gliding through the blue. It’s a great site for divers who appreciate interesting topography and don’t mind a bit of a current.

Location

Abrolhos, Brazil, South America

Coordinates

-17.969200, -38.695300

Type

reef

Marine Protected Area: Abrolhos Marine National Park