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Scuba diving in Rio de Janeiro: Best spots and prices
The top dive spots and all the information you need to know about scuba diving in Rio de Janeiro are right here.
Rio de Janeiro not only excites with its lively vibe and wide beaches, but also with its areas suited for diving. There you can go learn at specialised centres for beginners, where you take a course with everything you need so that within a few hours you can dive into the sea.
If you already know how to dive, you can enjoy an amazing dive where you’ll discover part of Brazil’s marine wildlife. In this guide we cover some spots to dive in a responsible and safe way.
Of course, we know costs matter to finalise your plan to go diving, so at the end we’ve calculated the costs you must expect to practise this sport in Rio de Janeiro. Stay until the end and discover all the information we gathered for you!
Diving centres and courses in Rio de Janeiro
In Rio de Janeiro there are centres that guide you through everything related to diving, letting you practise this sport in a reliable and safe way. Some offer dive plans and courses together.
Ikigai Experience
This company offers diving packages in Rio de Janeiro, giving you both knowledge and experience along with reliability for your dive. They also provide all gear in top condition for your immersion.
The diving plans last up to 8 hours with 40 minutes of underwater time at more than 8 metres deep, where you can see some marine animals and plants.
With this company you won’t have issues with the language — they speak to you in Spanish — and they also offer other guarantees like rescheduling or refund if the weather spoils your day.
Course with Ikigai
Ikigai, besides giving you the chance to dive in Rio de Janeiro, also offers a 4-day course where you learn theory and do practice first in pools, then in the sea — with up to 4 dives.
The classes include vest, wetsuit, regulator and air tanks for practice. The course divides into 4 sessions as follows:
- Day 1: They teach scuba theory and the rules you must follow both out of and underwater.
- Day 2: Practical training in a pool.
- Day 3 and 4: You can do up to 4 dives, each between 30 and 40 minutes. At the end, you’ll get your PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certification.
Rioxtreme
If you want a diving experience in Arraial do Cabo just 2 hours from Rio de Janeiro, Rioxtreme offers a one-day plan to dive in one of the clearest sea zones where you can spot many marine species.
With this company the adventure starts at 5:30 am and lasts up to 10 hours — including bus rides and transfer to open sea before diving. They have enough experience to take beginner divers down to 6 metres below the surface.
They can also support more experienced divers, accompanying dives down to 35 metres depth. Rioxtreme will provide the necessary equipment, including mask, regulator, a 5 mm wetsuit and air tanks.
Dream Scuba Dive
They offer recreational dives and courses for people wanting a first dive in Rio de Janeiro. They also operate in other parts of Brazil.
This company promotes responsible diving with respect for environment and each client’s safety. They have classrooms and their own pools where you learn everything necessary before going under the Carioca sea.
Course with Dream Scuba Dive
This company also offers diving courses, where you learn all theory needed before diving. One advantage is they flexibly teach theory and practice wherever you are, as long as you’re in Brazil.
You can choose to take practical classes in a pool you pick on your own, or if you prefer, you can use Dream Scuba Dive’s materials and location to learn. Either way, you’ll always have a PADI-certified instructor.
Here are some of the courses you can take:
- Introductory dive (baptism)
- Basic course
- Advanced course
- Rescue diving
- Dive master
- Underwater navigation
- Search and recovery
- Peak buoyancy performance
- Wreck diving
Best places to dive in Rio de Janeiro
You already know some companies that offer diving in Rio de Janeiro both for those with diving experience and for beginners, for whom the companies provide a course to allow their first dive in this Brazilian city.
Now, we want you to discover some zones you can dive in Rio de Janeiro. These spots lie a few minutes from the beaches and you reach them either by boat or by short swimming, so you won’t need long trips to get there.
1. Arpoador Beach
This beach lies between Ipanema and Copacabana neighbourhoods in south Rio de Janeiro. Here you don’t need a boat to start a dive, because very near the shore you can go down to 8 metres depth without issues.
This is a spot suitable for beginner divers, since it’s easily accessible and its proximity to shore gives confidence. Nevertheless, visibility may not always be crystal clear because of waves. In best cases you might enjoy up to 8–10 metres visibility around you.
Best of all, even near the shore you can see a wide variety of , plus octopuses and some small hiding among the rocks.
2. Ipanema Beach
Very close to Arpoador, you will find this area where, in addition to parrotfish and damselfish, you can see some species of sea slugs and other colourful molluscs characteristic of this part of Rio de Janeiro.
You’ll also find some ancient objects at the bottom of the sea, which is an added attraction when diving from there. This spot is ideal for a first dive, since no boat is necessary to find a good dive point.
Here you can descend to a depth of up to 8 metres with a maximum visibility of 10 metres and at least 6 metres in the worst case. However, keep in mind sea conditions can change in a moment and visibility can vanish quickly.
3. Vermelha Beach
Right beneath the famous Sugarloaf Mountain you’ll find Vermelha Beach, where you can dive in one of Rio de Janeiro’s calmest water zones. You won’t need a boat to reach the ideal dive spot — just swim a few metres and you’re there.
There you have more chances to swim alongside schools of fish, small rays and, if you are lucky, you may even see a dolphin or two swimming near the coast.
Vermelha Beach is the ideal place for beginners and marine photographers, as you can descend between 5 and 10 metres, depending on your experience and intentions.
4. Tijuca Islands
For more adventurous divers or those wanting a different experience, the Tijuca Islands lie 30 minutes out to sea. This spot ranks among the most popular with experienced divers thanks to its species variety, natural beauty and calm sea.
Although beginners can also enjoy a great experience in Tijuca, as dives there can go from ideal for all diving levels.
At the bottom, you can discover a variety of marine vegetation and animals such as damselfish, parrotfish and butterflyfish, as well as octopuses and turtles, as visibility is between 10 and 15 metres around.
5. Cotunduba Island
This is another island you can visit in Rio de Janeiro to dive to a depth of up to 15 metres, where you can see pufferfish, moray eels, groupers and other species such as eagle rays.
There are also some ancient structures that have become artificial reefs and add a different touch to the seabed, which is approximately 15 metres deep. You might also find some that add a unique feel to the seabed, at around To reach this rocky zone, you must take a boat ride about 5 km from the shore of Urca or Flamengo districts.
This spot is considered a good place for beginner and expert divers alike, thanks to the depth that can be reached just a few metres from the shore.
Connectivity while diving in Rio de Janeiro
The experience of diving in Rio de Janeiro is surely something you’ll want to share with friends on your social media, showing every moment you lived under the sea and the fish you spotted during your dive.
That’s why Holafly offers monthly subscription plans giving you unlimited data or 25 GB to share with other devices and global coverage in over 170 countries worldwide.
This way you’ll have a reliable and stable connection, without roaming costs and without changing your SIM card. You can even choose the eSIM for Brazil, getting unlimited data for the days you need if your stay in the South American country is short.
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 diving in Rio de Janeiro cost?
Costs to dive in Rio de Janeiro vary depending on the type of dive you choose and your experience level, plus the agency you pick. Keep in mind prices may rise if you need transport to remote spots like Tiguca or Cotunduba islands.
Here are the prices you’ll find to dive in Rio de Janeiro. These are approximate and may change depending on season:
- Introductory dive: May cost between €60-86 ($70-100). This plan usually includes all necessary equipment, instructor guidance and transfer. The maximum depth you can reach is 10 metres.
- Dive for certified swimmers: For divers with some experience, the dive may cost between €51 ($60) and €77 ($90). Some agencies offer promotions for two or more dives the same day.
- Other costs: For a day of diving it’s wise to bring protection and food. For example, agencies recommend bringing: sandals, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, a cap or hat, hydration and a snack, as the time you need to spend diving can range from 6 to 10 hours. So, an approximate cost for this would be €60 ($70).
Frequently Asked Questions
The high diving season in Rio de Janeiro runs from December to March and in July. During those times prices increase and the number of tourists rises significantly.
The danger level of diving in Rio de Janeiro depends, but generally it’s seen as a safe sport and children from age 10 can practise it with supervision.
Agencies clearly state that weather may affect diving plans, so they allow you to reschedule the dive or get a refund.
A baptism dive may take 3 to 5 hours, but to get certification the course may last up to 4 days. For more advanced levels you might need 2 to 3 additional days.
No, no diver has permission to take old items from Rio de Janeiro sea floor, since you might face legal troubles with Brazilian authorities.
