Arraial do Cabo, Brazil
    Reserva Extrativista Marinha De Itaipu

    Ilha Mae / Ponta Sul

    Best months: Mar–Apr

    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.

    Best timeMar–Apr
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeHumpback Whales · 55+ species recorded
    Water22-28°C · warmest January, February, March
    CharacterReef dive

    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.

    Today05:2517:5512h 30m daylightGolden hour 17:25

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    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)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    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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