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Recife das Pinaúnas

Recife das Pinaúnas is one of those spots that often gets overlooked for the flashier wrecks further south, but we think that’s a real mistake. This is a coral reef that hums with a quiet energy, not a frantic rush. Descending onto Pinaúnas, you immediately feel the difference from some of the busier sites nearby. The light filters through, illuminating wide stretches of brain and boulder corals, punctuated by smaller, more delicate fan corals in the shadier spots. We’ve had some fantastic encounters here with schools of Atlantic Bumper shimmering past, creating these silver curtains you can almost swim through. It’s the subtle stuff we really love here. Keep an eye out for the smaller residents. We’ve spent ages watching Island Frillfins dart between coral heads, and the occasional Mottled Conger Moray peeking out from its crevice. It’s a great site for photographers who appreciate macro and wide-angle reef shots without battling currents or crowds. We'd suggest aiming for a morning dive before the sun gets too high, when the colours feel most vibrant. If you're into calm, contemplative reef diving, Pinaúnas will be right up your alley.