Cabo Frio

Diving here is by day boat from Cabo Frio town. Barracuda Cabo Frio, a PADI Resort, runs small groups from the Costa Azul Iate Clube, Litoral Sub works from the Pousada Porto Canal, and Alpha Dive also runs trips to the local sites. Barracuda's trips start with a run down the Canal Itajuru, out past the Forte São Mateus and Praia do Forte at the bar mouth, and on to the islands. The nearest site, Ilha dos Papagaios, is about 30 minutes away. The dive sites are spread across seven islands of the archipelago, and the Búzios islands are also within reach.

The dive sites lie along the rocky shores of the islands. At Ilha dos Pargos the vertical rock faces of the north side meet the sand at 9 m; at Dois Irmãos the west face runs from 12 to 24 m, with a fissure at 16 m. A cold current from the south meets a warm one from the north off this coast, and the water is often clear and full of life, with visibility of 8 to 20 m. Turtles, wrasses, trumpetfish, groupers and moray eels are common at Papagaios, and passing open-water fish come through. Pargos holds resident groupers and grunts.

The sheltered coves of Papagaios and the north face of Comprida suit new and experienced divers alike, and between them offer sheltered spots in a range of wind and sea conditions. Dois Irmãos and Breu are a step up: Dois Irmãos is exposed to the wind, Breu takes heavier swell and current, and Advanced certification is recommended for both.