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Scuba diving in Maceió: Best spots and prices
You can't miss out on the experience of scuba diving in Maceió if you're in Brazil. Here's a guide to the best centers and courses!
Maceió, the capital of Brazil’s Alagoas state, is a paradise for scuba diving, with crystal-clear waters full of colorful fish, vibrant coral reefs, and hidden shipwrecks. If you’re planning to go scuba diving in Maceió, this article will help you discover the best dive centers and find courses suited to your experience level.
Located between Recife and Salvador, this coastal city is often called the ‘Brazilian Caribbean’ for its stunning white-sand beaches and easy-to-access coral reefs. Diving here is truly unforgettable, and this blog gives you all the tips you need to make the experience a reality. Let’s explore the waters of this Brazilian paradise!
Diving centers and courses in Maceió
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance your diving skills, Maceió has everything you need, thanks to its well-developed dive tourism infrastructure. The city is home to several PADI- and SSI-certified dive centers, ensuring high standards of safety and quality in every course.
From beginner courses to programs for experienced divers, you’ll find a dive center that suits your level along the main beaches of Pajuçara, Ponta Verde, and Francês. Here are the most well-known dive centers in Maceió:
- Let’s Dive Maceió: They offer PADI courses for all levels, from Discover Scuba Diving to Open Water and Advanced certifications. Their dives usually take place at the Paripueira reefs, the Pajuçara Natural Pool, and the shipwrecks off the coast of Maceió.
- Aloha Divers Maceió: They specialize in recreational diving and underwater photography, offering boat trips to the reefs at Piscinas Naturais do Francês and Praia do Gunga.
- Submarine Dive Center: Recommended for beginners, this professional dive center offers one-on-one instructor sessions for introductory dives. You can also earn your PADI certification here.
No matter which dive center you choose in Maceió, there’s a course suited to your level. Even if it’s your first time diving, beginner-friendly programs start in a pool to ensure a safe and comfortable introduction. Here are the most popular options available:
| Course | Level | Details |
| Discover Scuba Diving (first dive) | Beginners | Basic theory, pool practice, and one open water dive. |
| Open Water Diver | Intermediate level | International certification (PADI or SSI). |
| Advanced Open Water Diver | Certified divers | Advanced certification with deeper dives. |
| Specialty courses | Intermediate | Night diving, underwater photography, or wreck diving. |
| Rescue Diver | Experts | Underwater emergency rescue training. |
| Divemaster | Experts | To work as a dive guide at diving centers. |
The 5 best places to dive in Maceió
Whether you’re visiting Maceió as a student, tourist, or digital nomad, and you’ve heard about the incredible experience of scuba diving here, we’ve rounded up the best spots to try it. From calm beaches and historic shipwrecks to natural pools and deeper reefs, there’s something for divers of every level.
1. Itapagé – Wreck
A shipwreck is a vessel that has sunk and rests on the seabed. Over time, it becomes covered with coral, sponges, and algae, attracting fish and other marine life. If you love the mix of history and nature, diving at the Itapagé shipwreck in Maceió is an experience not to be missed.
One of the most famous shipwrecks in Brazil’s northeast, it lies just off the coast of Maceió at a depth of 27 meters. Here, you can spot corals, reef fish, moray eels, and rays. We recommend it for divers with at least an intermediate level, as it goes beyond the 18-meter limit for recreational diving. You’ll need a PADI or SSI certification to explore it safely.
2. Praia do Francês
Another popular spot for diving in Maceió is Praia do Francês, about 20 kilometers south of the city in the municipality of Marechal Deodoro. Known for its crystal-clear waters and white sand, the beach has two main areas: a calm section with natural pools formed by a reef, and a more surf-friendly area with stronger waves.
This quieter part of the beach is perfect for beginner divers, with calm, clear waters where you can spot parrotfish, octopuses, cuttlefish, crabs, lobsters, and even sea turtles. As one of the city’s most popular beaches, you’ll also find restaurants, shops, and hotels nearby to relax after your dive.
3. Maragogi – Arrecifes das Galés
Although it’s about a two-hour drive from Maceió, we’ve included it because it’s one of the most popular day trips from the city. Maragogi, located in northeastern Brazil, is famous for its rich marine life and more than 20 kilometers of white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters.
Many beginner divers take this trip to explore the Galés reefs, where calm waters create natural pools filled with vibrant corals and schools of tropical fish. It’s an ideal spot to enjoy both snorkeling and diving.
4. Piscina do Amor – Praia de Pajuçara
Another great spot for diving in Maceió is Piscina do Amor, located close to Pajuçara Beach. It gets its name from a heart-shaped cliff that overlooks the sea. Because it is so easy to reach from the city, it has become a very popular dive site, especially for those who do not want to travel far.
To reach this natural reef pool, you will hop aboard a jangada, the small traditional boats used in the area. Once you arrive, you can enjoy its rich marine life, including butterflyfish, Brazilian gramma, yellow gobies, octopuses, crabs, and sponges. With a maximum depth of around eight meters, it is an excellent choice for a first dive.
5. Paripueira – Municipal Park
Finally, we wrap up our diving tour of Maceió in the Costa dos Corais region, about 30 kilometers from the city. This protected marine park is known for its turquoise natural pools and impressive visibility that can reach up to 25 meters.
If you enjoy underwater photography, this is one of the best places to bring your camera thanks to its incredible biodiversity. You will find angelfish, parrotfish, butterflyfish, octopuses, moray eels, squid, and hawksbill turtles, all within the world’s second largest reef system. The area offers shallow spots ideal for snorkeling or beginner dives, as well as deeper sections for certified divers.
Connectivity while diving in Maceió
For a smooth and stress-free diving trip in Maceió, staying connected is key. You’ll be able to easily find dive centers, check sea conditions, and share your adventures online. Holafly ensures you have fast, reliable, and secure internet no matter which beach you’re at.
If your trip is short, lasting one to three weeks, the Holafly Brazil eSIM is ideal, giving you unlimited data only for the days you need. For longer trips of a month or more, Holafly’s monthly plans are a reliable choice, offering unlimited data each month with no contracts. You can also connect multiple devices at the same time and use the same eSIM in over 160 destinations worldwide.
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 160 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
Stay in touch with your diving buddies in Maceió and with the dive centers to coordinate classes and excursions. Even in remote areas or spots with limited coverage, Holafly gives you the reliable connection you need for any emergency.
How much does it cost to dive in Maceió?
Whether it’s your first time diving in Maceió or you’re looking for a more advanced course to specialize, you now know the best spots and dive centers to choose. But how much will it cost? Although Brazil has a fairly reasonable cost of living compared to neighboring countries, course prices tend to be a bit higher since most clients are tourists. Here’s a table with the updated rates:
| Course | Details | Prices |
| Introductory dive | Includes equipment, photos, transportation, and a 30-minute dive | From $65 |
| Open Water Diver | Includes weights, tank, transportation, photos, and 40 minutes of diving | From $65 |
| Deep wreck diving | Includes weights, two tanks, transportation, photos, and 30 minutes of diving | From $130 |
| Diving excursions | Tour of the natural pools, including photos | From $50 |
| Rescue Diver | PADI certification to identify and solve problems during dives | From $284 |
On top of these costs, even though most dive schools include basic insurance, it’s wise to have a full travel insurance plan that covers high-risk activities like diving in Brazil. With Chapka, you can get protection for accidents, medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation starting at just $30 per week.
Frequently asked questions
The best season is between September and March, when the water is clearer and calmer, with visibility up to 40 meters.
Yes, most dive centers provide all the equipment you’ll need for your dives, including a wetsuit, regulator, tank, mask, and fins.
Yes, as long as you follow the rules set by certified instructors, respect the depth limit, and check the sea conditions.
The best places are Piscina do Amor and Praia do Francês, as they offer calm waters and great visibility.
The best-known wreck in this city is Itapagé, which lies at a depth of 27 meters and is only suitable for experienced divers.
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Hi! I'm a Spanish-English translator working with Holafly, helping bring travel content to life for curious travelers. As a digital nomad with a passion for exploring, I'm always adding new spots to my bucket list. If you love to travel like me, stick around because you're in the right place to find inspiration for your next trip! ✈️🌍
