Praia João Fernandes - Arraial do Cabo

João Fernandes isn't about dramatic drop-offs or pelagic encounters, and we love it for being exactly that. This is Arraial do Cabo's gentle introduction, a calm beach dive perfect for getting back into the swing of things or introducing a friend to the underwater world. Descend into five to fifteen metres of surprisingly good visibility, often around ten to fifteen metres, where the sunlight plays on the sand and the scattered rocky outcrops. Our favourite thing here is the sheer density of macro life if you just slow down and look. We’ve spent entire dives in a ten-metre radius, pointing out Goldspot Gobies darting between rocks, the delicate dance of a Lined Seahorse clinging to seagrass, or the iridescent flash of Caribbean Reef Squid changing colour right before your eyes. Keep an eye out for the Doctorfish schooling lazily, and if you’re lucky, a curious Common Octopus peering from its den. It’s a site that rewards patience and a keen eye, far more than kicking hard. We'd suggest going early in the morning before the beach gets too busy, the water tends to be clearest then.

Location
Arraial do Cabo, Brazil, South America
Coordinates
-22.741684, -41.875880

Marine Protected Area: Parque Natural Municipal Dos Corais De Armação Dos Búzios

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

Nearby Dive Sites in Arraial do Cabo

Nearest Dive Centres to Praia João Fernandes

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

Recommended Packing List for Praia João Fernandes

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