Jardim dos Corais - Alcatrazes - Arraial do Cabo

Marilyn’s Cut holds a special spot in our logbooks. It’s a Bloody Bay Marine Park staple, and for good reason. We love dropping onto the wall here, feeling that familiar sense of scale as the reef drops away beneath you. The star attraction for us is always the large swim-through, a fantastic, wide tunnel that lets you glide through, watching schools of French Grunts and Spot Snapper shimmer in the shaft of light from the surface. Keep an eye out for the resident Chain Moray often peeking from crevices. We’ve had some great encounters with Spaghetti Eels here too, their bodies flowing out from coral heads. Visibility is generally excellent, often pushing past 25 metres, giving you incredible views of the wall’s contours and the abundant Elkhorn and Rose Corals. You’ll definitely spot parrotfish crunching away, and if you’re lucky, a turtle might drift by. The site is pretty chill, with depths rarely pushing past 23m, so it’s a comfortable dive for nearly everyone. We find it’s best enjoyed mid-morning, just as the sun really starts to illuminate the wall. This site delivers classic Caribbean wall diving with a touch of adventure, perfect for divers who appreciate dramatic topography and a lively reef.

Location: Arraial do Cabo, Brazil, South America
Coordinates: -24.096000, -45.692800
Type: reef

Marine Protected Area: Refúgio De Vida Silvestre Do Arquipélago De Alcatrazes

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

Nearest Dive Centres to Jardim dos Corais - Alcatrazes

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

Estuarine Dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) - Whales & Dolphins
Sergeant-major (Abudefduf saxatilis) - Reef Fish
Demoiselle (Stegastes fuscus) - Reef Fish
Porkfish (Anisotremus virginicus) - Reef Fish
Caesar (Haemulon aurolineatum) - Reef Fish
South-American Silver Porgy (Diplodus argenteus) - Reef Fish
Ringneck Blenny (Parablennius pilicornis) - Reef Fish
Black-ear wrasse (Halichoeres poeyi) - Reef Fish
Dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) - Reef Fish
Savigny's Brittle Star (Ophiactis savignyi)
Butterbun (Chaetodon striatus) - Reef Fish
Sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca) - Seagrass & Algae
Seaweed Blenny (Parablennius marmoreus) - Reef Fish
Grunt (Haemulon steindachneri) - Reef Fish
Mangrove Tree Crab (Aratus pisonii) - Crabs & Lobsters
Comb Grouper (Mycteroperca acutirostris) - Reef Fish
Cook (Holocentrus adscensionis) - Reef Fish
Cluck (Pareques acuminatus) - Reef Fish
Spotted Goatfish (Pseudupeneus maculatus) - Reef Fish
thorny worm (Glycera americana) - Worms

Recommended Packing List for Jardim dos Corais - Alcatrazes

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