Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro

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/ Rio de Janeiro State Brazil
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Snorkeling in Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro State Brazil

Temperature:
20-25°C (68-77°F)
Ilha Grande is the biggest and most well known island of the Green Bay at about 150 km/93 mi in the west-side of the State of Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, commonly known as Rio, is the capital city of the Rio de Janeiro State, the second largest city of Brazil and the third largest metropolitan area in South America. Since July 2012, part of the city has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in the category of ''cultural landscape''.

In the past, the island housed Indians, hospitals, pirates and until recently enough, in 1994, it was a jail. Up to then and a little after, prison’s operation ceased and the area was inhabited only by local families. However, it took no much time for the tourists to discover this paradise and admire its beauties.

Bearing in mind that there are no cars or even banks (you need to have your cash with you from the mainland) in the island, this ”primitive” situation will make you feel the sense of exoticism of the area.

The island’s main village is Vila Abrao, but the place is actually famous for its numerous magnificent beaches, including Praia Lopes Mendes (voted as one of the 10 most beautiful beaches worldwide, by Vogue magazine), Parnaioca Beach (in which you may see remnants of the slave period of the island), Caxadaco Beach, Lagoa Azul, Adventurer Beach or Blue Lagoon.

The abundant aquatic life of these turquoise crystal waters and the biodiversity that reigns, justify why snorkeling is the most well-known sport on the island, attracting divers from all over the world. This is the right place to be acquaint with numerous species of the marine life, snorkeling in clear waters, of high temperature (20-25°C) (68-77°F) and good visibility at 5-15 m/16-49 ft long.

You’ll also have the chance to take wonderful photos while you are underwater or ‘feed’ the fish of the area, that eat bread and cookies!