This was a totally unforgettable experience in so many ways. The lodge itself was a dream – self-sustaining cabins on a lovely fresh section of the Amazon, surrounded by beautiful scenery and sounds. We had prepared ourselves to fight off mosquitos and bare the jungle heat, but it turned out everyone was happy lolling around in shorts and t-shirts – with no bug bites – and the rooms were well air-conditioned. Even the non-air-conditioned common spaces were cool enough in the shade and breeze. There was a small pool and a bar with a chef who made the best caipiroskas we'd had in Brazil. At night, you had an unfiltered view of the stars from the top deck and the bats came to clear any bugs for us. Meals were buffet style and the chef was fantastic – she made special vegan entrees with soya protein for the two of us who were vegan (instead of our common experience of just having the side dishes to exist on!). The excursions were unforgettable. We did the three-day tour of the Amazon and went out every day on the boat to see different wildlife and areas of the forest and river. The guides were very knowledgeable and reactive to the kinds of things we wanted to see. The jungle hike was the true highlight, learning about how different trees in the forest provide medicines and building materials and all sorts. I would absolutely have stayed longer if I could have. To give you an idea of the dedication of the people who ran the lodge, one of our guides had spent hours learning French one night ahead of a French family arriving the next day. I could not recommend it more.
Diving in Brazil
Scuba diving in Brazil, from your first baptism dive to Noronha’s 40 m visibility and the Abrolhos liveaboard
5 trips found
Dive Fernando de Noronha over 2 days: two guided dives daily at 22 sites, certified instructors, up to 40 m visibility, turtles, rays and sharks.
Price from $350
Learn to dive in Fernando de Noronha. The Open Water diving course runs over 5 days and 6 dives, and earns a certification valid worldwide.
Price from $1,400
Level up with the advanced diving course in Fernando de Noronha: five specialty dives, a night dive and a worldwide SSI Advanced Adventurer certification.
Price from $1,300
Four dives in Fernando de Noronha’s 27°C water, a full-day 4x4 island tour and 4 nights with breakfast. Transfers and a bilingual guide included.
Price from $900
Sail to Abrolhos on a liveaboard: 8 dives over coral reefs, shipwrecks and 5 volcanic islands, plus whales in season, from a comfortable catamaran.
Price from $650
What divers say
5.0 out of 5 · 20 reviews
This diving experience was incredible. The dive masters were super knowledgeable, and the conditions were beyond perfect. Already planning my next diving trip back soon!
I had little time to prepare my trip to Fernando de Noronha and PlanetEXO did a great job of putting a package together, which included diving and lodging. All I had to do was get the plane ticket. PlanetEXO rescheduled the trip to accommodate a good flight deal I found. The hotel was nice and very well located, within walking distance of the main restaurants area. The diving company was top notch. The location itself, Fernando de Noronha, is a dream place for those who enjoy beaches, nature and diving.
Good for trips to Abrolhos.
The trip with Horizonte Aberto was sensational!! The place is incredible and wonderful, and we saw many whales on the way there — some breaching and others showing off and slapping their tails. A real show!!!! The crew was extremely professional and attentive. The dive masters Léo and Gil made us feel very safe, which was key to the success of our baptism dive (we saw turtles, lobsters, a ray and lots of fish). Captain Natalino and sailor Romário were impeccable, always alert to everything and in great spirits. Maria prepared all our meals always with a smile on her face. In short, thank you so much to this team!!! Our trip was unforgettable thanks to you!!!!!
We (family with 2 kids 13y and 16y) booked a PADI diving course with PlanetaEXO in Fernando do Noronha and had a great experience! Quality materials, great dive boat and English speaking dive instructors. Also very fast and helpful communication with PlanetaExo on time schedules and questions.
Fantastic experience, with excellent service.
Overnight trip to Albrolhos. Three couples in their 50's and 60's. The crew could not have been more wonderful! Pleasant, helpful, and engaging. They were careful and the safety of the clients was top-notch. Maria prepared delicious meals and made dietary adjustments for me where needed. The "baptism" dive was exciting and Jil made sure that I was comfortable with the entire process. He frequently checked that I was ok. We had a non-swimmer with us as well as a champion swimmer. The crew accommodated both and helped everyone feel attended to. I highly recommend!!
Best experience in Abrolhos! Super comfortable, fast and modern boat. The cook, Maria, was spectacular and took great care of everyone — wonderful food!! Very good dives, with very experienced dive masters who took us to the best dive spots. I recommend it to everyone!!
Best diving experience in Abrolhos! Comfortable boat, experienced and eco-conscious dive masters, attentive staff and great meals!
Scuba diving in Brazil: where to dive, Noronha or Abrolhos?
Brazil has more than 7,400 km of Atlantic coastline, but the diving most travelers come for sits inside two protected marine parks. Fernando de Noronha lies 354 km off the Pernambuco coast, a 21-island archipelago that UNESCO has listed since 2001, with visibility that reaches 40 m. Abrolhos, 70 km off southern Bahia, protects the largest coral reefs in the South Atlantic. Scuba diving in Brazil really comes down to choosing between these two.
Diving in Fernando de Noronha runs all year, with water around 27°C and the calmest seas and best visibility from March to July. On a single dive you can pass reef sharks, hawksbill and green turtles, rays, moray eels, and the resident spinner dolphins that gather in Baía dos Golfinhos, one of the largest resident populations on Earth. Wrecks, caves, and rocky canyons give certified divers depth and structure, while complete beginners start with a supervised baptism dive to about 12 m.
Abrolhos is a different kind of dive. It was Brazil’s first marine national park, created in 1983, and its 882 km² of reef hold all 18 coral species found in the South Atlantic, including the endemic brain coral Mussismilia braziliensis. From July to November, thousands of humpback whales arrive to breed, and divers often hear their song underwater. Most trips here run as a liveaboard, sleeping on the boat for several days of diving far from the mainland.
You do not need a certificate to start. A Discovery Scuba Diving session takes a complete beginner underwater the same day, while the Open Water course (minimum age 10) earns a license you keep for life. Certified divers can add night dives, deep dives, and advanced courses.
Not sure where to begin? Each trip below lists the dive sites, depth, season, and the certification level it needs.
