Diving in Salvador & Bahia
Why dive here
Salvador & Bahia offers some of Brazil's richest diving, with 291+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, dolphins, eagle rays, humpback whales and nurse sharks.
Salvador and the wider Bahia state don't always top the list for Brazilian diving, but we think that’s a real oversight. This region delivers warm, tropical diving with a fantastic mix of historic colonial shipwrecks and lively reef formations, all wrapped up in the Todos os Santos Bay marine ecosystem. We especially love the wreck diving here; it’s a tangible link to history. Expect to spend your bottom time exploring structures that tell stories, often buzzing with Cook butterfish and schools of cola. The visibility, usually around 15-20 meters, lets you appreciate the scale of these sunken vessels. On the reefs, keep an eye out for the vibrant Midnight Parrotfish, their colours really pop against the coral. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a Bonnethead Shark cruising by. We find the mornings are often calmer, giving you better light on the wrecks. It's not a place for giant pelagics, but the sheer variety of smaller reef fish, like the tide pool wrasse and the quirky lined sole, makes every dive interesting. The relaxed vibe tops it off, making it a proper dive escape.
Salvador & Bahia Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Salvador & Bahia
Salvador & Bahia Dive Sites
35 dive sites in Salvador & Bahia
Atractores
Atractores is a fascinating artificial reef near Salvador, created by sinking concrete structures to encourage marine growth. We’ve found it’s a good spot for seeing schools of snapper and grunt, often with the occasional curious turtle gliding by. The shallower depth makes it suitable for newer divers looking for something a bit different from natural reefs. Visibility can vary, but it’s a solid option for an easy dive.
Bahia de Salvador
The Bahia de Salvador offers some straightforward diving right off Brazil's coast. You'll primarily find wreck diving here, with several historical ships scattered across the seabed. It’s a good spot for divers keen on exploring artificial reefs and the marine life that now calls them home, typically suitable for most experience levels.
BEARN
The Bearn, a former French seaplane tender, sits shallow, making it a great stop for a leisurely dive or even a snorkel. We found the stern section mostly intact, with plenty of room to explore the large propeller and rudder. Schools of grunts and snappers hang around the metal structure, and we often spot moray eels peering out from gaps in the hull. It’s a site that suits newer divers or those looking for a relaxed dive in Salvador, with visibility usually quite decent around the wreck.
BRASILOIDE
The Brasiloide, a motor vessel lost in 1943, rests upright at 43 meters, making it a dive for those comfortable with deeper profiles. We usually descend along the mooring line straight to the stern, where the prop is still largely intact and a good spot to check for large groupers. You can follow the deck forward, past the collapsed mast structure, where schools of snapper often hang in the current. The bow is fairly broken up, but the structure still offers plenty of nooks and crannies for moray eels and lobsters. It’s a proper wreck dive, with a bit of history to it, and the depth keeps it from getting too crowded.
Caita
Caita is a decent little spot off the coast, fairly close to Salvador. You'll likely see a decent mix of reef fish, maybe a turtle cruising by if you're lucky, and often some stingrays resting on the sandy patches. It's a relaxed dive, good for shaking off the travel dust or for newer divers looking for an easy morning out.
CAVO ARTEMIDI
The *Cavo Artemidi* is one of those wrecks that just makes a day. At only 14 metres, it's accessible to nearly all divers, and what a fantastic playground it is. This bulk carrier, which ran aground back in 1980, now lies broken but still impressive, scattered across the seafloor. We love how the sheer scale of it still comes through, even with the damage. You'll spend your dive weaving through colossal metal plates, exploring the engine room, and poking around the bow section. The light filters down beautifully through the clearer Bahian water, highlighting the hard corals that have encrusted every available surface. Schools of snapper dart in and out of the shadows, and we’ve often spotted eagle rays cruising past in the blue. For us, the highlight is finding the occasional moray eel peering out from a dark crevice. It's a proper wreck dive, full of atmosphere, without the need for technical skills, making it our favourite historical wreck in the area. Dive it early in the morning for the best visibility before the currents pick up.
Corais de Ondina
Haji is our pick for a straightforward, beautiful dive off Zanzibar, especially if you’re staying up on the northeast coast. It’s a sloping reef, really just a gently slanting wall that bottoms out around 16 metres, running parallel to the shore. We love the variety here, particularly the large sections of plate coral that stretch out like terraced gardens. You’ll find plenty of the usual reef suspects – pufferfish drifting by, eels peeking from their holes, and we often spot a green turtle or two munching away. What makes Haji a standout, though, is its consistent visibility, usually around 12 metres, which means you can really take in the scale of those coral formations. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff too; the cowries are abundant, and we’ve seen some colourful conchs slowly making their way across the sand patches. It’s a relaxed dive, good for new divers finding their fins, but still interesting enough for anyone who appreciates a healthy reef without any tricky currents.
Cordão da Barra de Serinhaém
Cordão da Barra de Serinhaém is a reef that’s really off the beaten path, even for Bahia. We’ve found it’s mostly hard corals, with a smattering of the usual reef fish you’d expect in this region – parrotfish, snappers, and the like. It's a good pick for divers looking for a quiet, undisturbed dive without the crowds, especially if you're already exploring the Serinhaém area. Don't expect dramatic walls or huge schools, but it's a pleasant, easy dive.
Coroa do Capão
Coroa do Capão offers a decent reef dive right off Salvador. You'll find a coral reef here, and while we haven't logged specific species yet, expect a good cross-section of typical Atlantic reef fish. It's a solid choice for a casual dive when you're in the area.
Coroa do Cavalo
Coroa do Cavalo offers a look at a classic coral reef in the Salvador area. Depths here are moderate, making it a good choice for newer divers or those looking for a relaxed multi-level profile. You'll find a mix of hard and soft corals, with smaller reef fish darting between the formations. It’s a solid option for a pleasant, straightforward dive.
Galeão Sacramento
La Faille Pomare, or the Pomare Fault, feels like a secret passage. We love it as a proper drift dive, letting the current do the work while we watch the show unfold. It’s a site that truly comes alive with an incoming current; that’s when the big schools of fusiliers seem to materialise out of the blue, attracting the usual suspects. Dropping in, you follow the fault line down to around 24 metres. The water often has that incredible French Polynesian clarity, giving you a long view of the action. We've seen plenty of Orange-lined Triggerfish zipping about, and the Humphead Unicornfish are always a treat. Keep an eye out for Black-barred Surgeonfish in their shimmering numbers. This isn't a guaranteed shark fest, but we’ve had some cracking encounters with grey reef sharks here, and the occasional turtle glides by. It’s a good spot for divers comfortable with a bit of a ride and who appreciate the thrill of spontaneous encounters.
GERMANIA
The *Germania* isn't your typical deep wreck, and that's precisely why we love it. Lying in just six meters of water, this steamship wreck offers a super accessible dive, perfect for knocking out a few leisurely bottom time hours without feeling rushed. We typically drop down in the afternoon, when the light really slices through the shallow water, illuminating the ship’s ribs and twisted metal. You’ll weave through the skeletal remains of the hull, spotting schools of sergeant majors darting in and out of the crevices. Look closely, and you’ll often find a well-camouflaged scorpionfish tucked against the rust. While there isn't much current to worry about, the visibility can be a bit hit-or-miss depending on the tide; we suggest aiming for an incoming tide if you can, it usually brings clearer water. It’s a site that really makes you feel like you’re exploring history, not just observing it.
Salvador & Bahia Dive Centres
12 dive shops and operators in Salvador & Bahia
Ocean Wildlife in Salvador & Bahia
291 species recorded in Salvador & Bahia
Salvador & Bahia Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Salvador & Bahia, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
05:45
Sunset
17:31
Daylight
11h 46m
Golden Hour
17:02
First light (dawn) at 05:24 · Last light (dusk) at 17:52
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 05:19 | 18:09 | 12h 50m |
| Feb | 05:34 | 18:06 | 12h 32m |
| Mar | 05:39 | 17:51 | 12h 12m |
| Apr | 05:41 | 17:30 | 11h 49m |
| May | 05:46 | 17:17 | 11h 31m |
| JunShortest | 05:55 | 17:16 | 11h 21m |
| Jul | 05:59 | 17:23 | 11h 24m |
| AugNow | 05:51 | 17:30 | 11h 39m |
| Sep | 05:31 | 17:31 | 12h 0m |
| Oct | 05:10 | 17:32 | 12h 22m |
| Nov | 04:58 | 17:41 | 12h 43m |
| DecLongest | 05:03 | 17:57 | 12h 54m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Salvador & Bahia.
Where to Stay near Salvador & Bahia
Prices from Booking.com. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Marine Protected Areas near Salvador & Bahia
7 protected areas near Salvador & Bahia - please respect local regulations when diving
Área De Proteção Ambiental Plataforma Continental Do Litoral Norte
Área De Proteção Ambiental Baía De Todos Os Santos
Área De Proteção Ambiental Baía De Camamu
Reserva Extrativista Marinha Da Baia De Iguapé
Área De Proteção Ambiental Tinharé / Boipeba
Reserva Particular Do Patrimônio Natural Reserva Da Peninha
Reserva Particular Do Patrimônio Natural Araçari
Getting to Salvador & Bahia
Salvador
Porto Seguro
Feira de Santana
Book a dive trip in Salvador & Bahia
Guided dives, courses & snorkel tours - instant booking