Canal da Ilha Menina - Arraial do Cabo

Fan Wall is a site we return to again and again in Cocos, and honestly, you don't even need to go deep to get the best of it. The top of the reef, around 15-20 meters, is where we find ourselves lingering, spotting those distinctive Redfin Butterflyfish darting between the stony corals. It’s busy up there, schools of Island Jacks and Dusky Farmerfish flitting around, making the whole place feel alive. The real draw, though, is how the wall drops away. You can hang out in the blue, watching for bigger pelagics like cruising sharks or dogtooth tuna that sometimes materialize from the deeper water. For those who can manage a deeper profile, the fans and a small cave around 24 meters are a lovely exploration, not too demanding but still rewarding. We've often seen Bumphead Parrotfish munching on the coral here, their massive jaws making an audible crunch. Visibility usually sits around 23 meters, which gives everything a lovely, clear definition. This site is great for newer divers to enjoy the shallows, while more experienced folk can appreciate the deeper wall and blue water encounters.

Location
Arraial do Cabo, Brazil, South America
Coordinates
-22.978200, -43.052100
Type
wall

Marine Protected Area: Reserva Extrativista Marinha De Itaipu

Best Time to Dive in Arraial do Cabo

The warmest water temperatures in Arraial do Cabo occur in January, averaging 26.6°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 21.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 26.6°C
  • February: 26.4°C
  • March: 26.5°C
  • April: 25.0°C
  • May: 24.0°C
  • June: 22.9°C
  • July: 21.9°C
  • August: 21.6°C
  • September: 22.2°C
  • October: 23.0°C
  • November: 23.4°C
  • December: 24.8°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Arraial do Cabo

Nearest Dive Centres to Canal da Ilha Menina

Marine Life in Arraial do Cabo

Home to 62 recorded species including 44 reef fish, 3 other, 3 crabs & lobsters, 3 sea urchins, 2 whales & dolphins, 2 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Canal da Ilha Menina

Based on average water temperature of 24.0°C, currents 7 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 24°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories