Alcatrazes Archipelago · Brazil · Reef
Jardim de Corais – Poita 10
The densest brain coral cover in the Alcatrazes archipelago
Area photo: Marcos Simanovic · CC BY-SA 3.0
Jardim de Corais is mooring 10 in Portinho, sheltered from the east wind. Its rocky reef, covered in algae and coral from 4 to 20 m, carries the densest brain coral (Mussismilia hispida) cover in the archipelago, so divers take special care not to touch the bottom. It is rated medium difficulty.
Also known as Jardim de Corais.
Where it is and how deep
24.0960° S, 45.6928° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The boat ties on to mooring 10 in Portinho, out of the east wind. The descent reaches rocky reef covered in algae and coral from about 4 m, and the bottom runs down to around 20 m, a moderate profile that leaves time to move slowly over the rock and look closely at the coral cover.
The draw is the brain coral, Mussismilia hispida, which covers more of the rock here than at any other point in the archipelago. Divers keep well trimmed and clear of the bottom to avoid touching it. The mooring is also used for freediving and snorkelling over the shallower reef.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good |
Season follows Alcatrazes Archipelago: October to April is the better half of the year; February to April brings calmer sea and weaker currents, and September the coldest water.
Know before you go
- The reef holds the archipelago's largest brain coral cover; hold trim and keep fins and hands off the bottom.
Dive videos
[Scuba Dive] [Brazil | Arquipélago de Alcatrazes] Jardim de Corais · Bruno Martos on YouTube
Questions divers ask
Where is the brain coral in Alcatrazes?+
Jardim de Corais, mooring 10 in Portinho, has the densest brain coral (Mussismilia hispida) cover in the archipelago, on rocky reef from 4 to 20 m.
Sources
More dive sites in Alcatrazes Archipelago
The refuge's low-difficulty mooring, shallow enough for try-dives
Portinho mooring out of the east wind, reef and walls to 25 m
Reef
The exposed mooring, with walls and boulders from 10 to 25 m
Open-sea granite walls to 60 m with big schools and strong current
Reef
Reef, walls and a cave on one mooring, from 4 to 30 m
Similar dives elsewhere
A shallow rock at the islet's edge where turtles gather
Coral reefs over sand off Santa Cruz Cabrália, to 18 m
Rocky coastline between 4 and 15 m, dived by day and by night
Fish-crowded boulder outcrop with rays on the sand