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Ilha dos Meros - Paraty

Ilha dos Meros, specifically the Paraty side, holds a special spot for many of us. It’s where a lot of divers around here started, and for good reason. At a shallow 13 meters max, with practically no current, it's a calm entry back into the water or a perfect spot for new divers to build confidence. We've spent countless hours here, kicking around in the shelter, spotting Comb Groupers peeking out from under ledges and schools of Doctorfish moving like a single silver cloud. Now, let's be honest, you won’t find the massive schools or giant pelagics you might elsewhere, a consequence of past overfishing. But that doesn’t mean it’s empty. We still regularly see Green Sea Turtles gliding past, and if you keep your eyes peeled, you might spot a shy Twinspot Bass or even a small ray tucked into the sand. Our favourite part has to be the Ten-ray Star Corals, which are surprisingly robust given the site's popularity. They really add some texture to the otherwise sand and rubble bottom. Visibility averages around 8 meters, which is decent enough for this kind of relaxed exploration. For photographers, the low current makes getting those steady macro shots of smaller blennies and brittle stars a lot easier. It's a genuinely tranquil dive, perfect for a chilled-out afternoon or for shaking off the rust after a long break.