reef

Log This Dive

Ilha Pai / Ponta Sul

Ilha Pai, specifically its Ponta Sul, feels like a proper adventure. It’s the most exposed of the trio of islands here, and we love that it throws a bit more at you than the calmer spots. You drop onto a rocky slope that just keeps descending, much steeper than Mae or Menina, so you get this immediate sense of openness. On a good day, the visibility can push past the average 9m, letting you properly appreciate the sheer scale of the rock formations and the way schools of sardine pulse in the blue. We often see green turtles here, just gliding by, unfazed. Keep an eye out for octopus tucked into crevices and the occasional moray eel peering out. Because it’s a bit more exposed, there’s a good chance for a gentle drift, which always adds to the feeling of covering ground without effort. It’s a site for those who appreciate a dynamic dive and don’t mind a little current to keep things interesting. Best dived when the swell is down, otherwise it can get a bit surge-y.