Scuba diving in Maragogi: Best spots and prices
Discover the best centers and places for scuba diving in Maragogi, Brazil. You'll discover all the marine riches in its crystal clear waters.
This northern town is a paradise for ocean lovers, offering some of the best spots for scuba diving in Maragogi. Its calm, crystal-clear waters are filled with colorful coral and vibrant marine life. Whether you’re a first-time diver or experienced, there’s a perfect place to explore the wonders beneath the surface.
In this guide, we’ll show you the top diving centers and courses available in Maragogi, the best spots to dive based on your experience, and even the costs you can expect when exploring this incredible South American destination. Dive in with us and discover all that Maragogi has to offer!
Diving centers and courses in Maragogi
To make your experience in Maragogi’s waters both safe and unforgettable, we’ll recommend three diving centers. In addition to offering full diving experiences, they also provide courses for those who want to learn, improve their skills, or get certified.
1. Projeto Oceano Mar
This agency has been operating in Maragogi since 2004, offering diving experiences for both beginners and experienced divers. You can find it at Beira Mar Avenue, 327, within the Marine Environmental Protection Area (APA Costa dos Corais), as listed on their website.
Projeto Oceano Mar has extensive experience guiding divers to some of Maragogi’s most remarkable sites. Their programs even include visits to shipwrecks, aquariums, and other spots where you can dive down to 32 meters.
As for the courses they offer, you can start with basic training without a certification or take open-water diving courses ranging from beginner to advanced levels. You can also learn other specialties, such as…
- Rescue diver
- Night diver
- Deep diver
- Nitrox
- Diving science
- Underwater photography
- Buoyancy
- Wreck diving
2. Ikigai Experience
This operator has strong ratings and positive reviews for its service and the experiences it provides. Ikigai offers introductory dives for those looking to have their first experience in Maragogi’s waters.
The day starts on Senador Rui Palmeira Avenue, where you’ll board a boat for a ride out to the dive site. Throughout the experience, guides and instructors will be by your side, ensuring you’re supported every step of the way.
But if you want more than just a one-day experience, you can take one of their courses that offer PADI certification (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) for beginners in open water.
Even though the courses aren’t offered directly in Maragogi, you can take one at a nearby location and then come back better prepared to dive into Maragogi’s waters. For instance, Porto de Galinhas is just a little over an hour away.
3. Pro Dives Mergulho
For a full diving experience in Maragogi, Pro Dives Mergulho is an excellent choice. They offer a variety of options, including scuba diving, beginner dives for those who can’t swim, and dives for experienced divers.
The adventure starts at Grand Oca Maragogi Resort, where you’ll board a boat or catamaran to reach the dive site. Once there, instructors will guide you as you explore the underwater world for about an hour, with all the necessary equipment provided.
With an instructor, you can dive to a depth of 4 to 6 meters. You’ll also receive a keepsake photo and a Beginner Dive certificate. If you choose to take a course with them, you’ll have the opportunity to learn:
- Basic diving
- Advanced diving
- Adventure diving
- Open water diving
- Rescue diving
- Diving instructor
The best places to dive in Maragogi
Maragogi is home to several dive spots that will amaze you with their vibrant marine life. While these sites are favorites among experienced divers, they’re also perfect for beginners. Here, we’ll introduce some of the most popular places to go diving in this Brazilian town.
Galés
Just off Maragogi’s main beach, you’ll find this cluster of natural pools where you can dive up to 6 meters. This makes it one of the city’s most iconic and popular spots for diving.
Just 6 km out to sea, you’ll discover a rich variety of fish and coral reefs, easily visible thanks to the crystal-clear waters, which offer up to 30 meters of visibility at this spot.
Galés is perfect for divers of all levels. You’ll encounter vibrant marine life such as parrotfish, damselfish, moray eels, groupers, starfish, sea urchins and colorful corals, making it a dive you won’t forget.
If you’re a beginner looking for a calm, controlled experience close to the beach, Galés is the place for you. It’s a spot where diving schools often take their students for their first dive.
Taocas
Just north of Galés and only a short distance from Maragogi’s main coast, this spot is perfect for beginners and even some experienced divers who want a calm and easygoing dive.
The currents here are even gentler than in Galés, making diving a more relaxed and controlled experience with fewer people around, since it’s a quiet spot that doesn’t get much tourist traffic.
This is an added bonus, as you might spot schools of colorful fish, soft corals, seahorses, and even sea turtles that occasionally pass by. Best of all, it’s just a few kilometers from the coast.

Barra Grande
Just south of Maragogi, you can dive at a spot that’s easily reached by swimming or a small boat. Barra Grande is famous for its sandbank that stretches into the sea, known locally as the ‘Moses Path.’
It’s not a spot for deep diving, but there are areas for shallow dives where you can see surgeonfish, pufferfish, small rays, octopuses, and anemones, along with a few reefs.
This spot is perfect for those new to diving or a bit uneasy with deeper waters. The area offers varying depths, but never goes below one or two meters.
Playa de Xareu
Located south of Maragogi, this spot is very similar to Barra Grande, making it perfect for shallow diving in calm waters. Since it’s not heavily visited, you’ll have plenty of space to explore underwater.
Marine life here includes tropical fish, sea urchins, small crabs, and colorful corals. Occasionally, you might also see schools of sardines swimming near the reefs.
At Xareu Beach, visibility is guaranteed, as the currents are gentle and the water is crystal clear and warm.
Connectivity while diving in Maragogi
Having good connectivity helps you stay in touch with family and friends, and it also makes it easy to check diving school websites in Maragogi, find them on the map, and get in touch.
Thanks to fast internet, you can share your diving experiences in Brazil online as soon as they happen. Rather than depending on someone else’s Wi-Fi, you can get a Holafly monthly plan with either unlimited data or 25 GB.
These plans let you share your connection with other devices, and if you plan to travel to other destinations in South America, you won’t need to switch plans or SIM cards, since they’re global and work in over 160 countries worldwide.
If you’re only spending a couple of weeks in Maragogi, you can go with Holafly’s Brazil eSIM, which gives you unlimited data for just the days you need.
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 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍

How much does it cost to dive in Maragogi?
After exploring the best diving spots and courses in Maragogi, we want to give you an idea of the costs to expect when diving in this Brazilian town.
Keep in mind that the prices we are sharing are approximate and can vary depending on the season. Your expenses can change based on what you choose, especially if you decide to take a course that wasn’t originally planned.
It will also depend on your choice of accommodation, your eating habits, and how many dives you do. Here’s a look at some typical prices:
- Cost of basic open water course: Between $320 and $430.
- Cost of advanced open water course: Between $460 and $640.
- Diving specialization: Between $145 and $275.
- Diving tour for beginners or first-time divers: From $37.
- Accommodation: Some hotels add breakfast for a cost of between $20 and $150 per night, depending on the hotel category.
- Food: In mid-range restaurants, you can expect to pay between $25 and $40.
- Transportation: Trips to the dive sites along the coast can cost between $10 and $25 per day, depending on the type of transportation you choose.

Frequently asked questions about scuba diving in Maragogi
The best time to dive in Maragogi is from October to March, when the sea is calmer and visibility can reach up to 30 meters in some spots.
You don’t need to know how to swim to dive in Maragogi, as many agencies and schools offer beginner-friendly dives with an instructor. All you need to do is follow their guidance.
For experienced divers, there are spots where depths can exceed 18 meters, while beginners and intermediate divers will usually dive between 5 and 10 meters.
A diving trip in Maragogi typically lasts between one and two hours, including travel to the site. The actual dive usually lasts around 30 minutes or a bit longer.
The essentials for diving in Maragogi are a good swimsuit, sunscreen, a snack, water, and mosquito repellent. The diving agency you hire will provide the rest of the equipment.
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