Ilha Mae / Ponta Sul
Protected Area
Reserva Extrativista Marinha De Itaipu
Why dive here
With 55+ marine species recorded in the area - including humpback whales - Ilha Mae / Ponta Sul offers some of Arraial do Cabo's richest reef diving. Water ranges 22-28°C, warmest January, February, March.
Ilha Mae’s Ponta Sul is our quiet escape in Arraial do Cabo. Forget chasing depth here, this is a site for slowing down and really looking. We’ve spent whole dives just combing the sandy bottom, spotting little things you’d miss at a faster pace. The Drummer Boy fish are a regular highlight, those striking stripes really pop against the sand. You’ll often find butterfly rays gliding past, sometimes a nail ray half-buried, and if luck’s on your side, an eagle ray might cruise through the blue. Visibility averages around five metres, so it’s not always gin-clear, but that lower vis actually adds to the intimacy, making you focus on the immediate surroundings. It’s wonderfully calm, sheltered enough for newer divers to feel comfortable, yet there’s still plenty to keep the seasoned diver engaged. We love it for macro photography, or just a really relaxed, contemplative dive. Go early in the morning before any crowds, that’s when it feels most peaceful.
Nearest Dive Centres to Ilha Mae / Ponta Sul
Dive shops near Ilha Mae / Ponta Sul
KAIMANA DIVE & BOAT
Mar Do Rio
DOMAR ATIVIDADES AQUATICAS
XDIVERS CENTRO DE MERGULHO
Dolphin Dive
Reviews for Ilha Mae / Ponta Sul
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Ilha Mae / Ponta Sul
Ilha Mae / Ponta Sul Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Ilha Mae / Ponta Sul, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-23.23, -44.16) (12km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
23°C
73°F · Range: 17.8–26.6°C
Current Speed
8.49 cm/s
Direction: SW (225°)
Salinity
35.38 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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