Florianópolis & Ilha do Xavier · Brazil · Reef
Ilha do Xavier
A large chamber full of fish at the island's southern point
Photo: Mx. Granger · CC0
Ilha do Xavier is an uninhabited rocky island off Praia Mole in Florianópolis. The diving runs from 5 to 18 m around its rocky shore, with the widest variety of fish and turtles at the southern point, where a large chamber holds many fish. It suits every level of diver, and it can be snorkelled too.
Where it is and how deep
27.6128° S, 48.3857° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
Boats run out from the Barra da Lagoa channel and the dive is made from the boat, since the island is uninhabited rock and boats rarely land on it. Divers descend along the rocky shoreline, where the depth ranges from 5 m to 18 m at its deepest, so the same island covers every level of experience, from shallow, easy dives to deeper ones.
The southern point, on the right when facing away from the coast, holds the greatest variety of fish on the island, and turtles turn up there. The point also has a large chamber where many fish gather. The island is long from north to south and short from east to west, so it blocks the east wind, which can stir up the water when it blows hard. The dive can be made on scuba or with a snorkel.
Marine life and season
- Sea turtles
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Prime | Prime |
Season follows Florianópolis & Ilha do Xavier: November to April is the best season; diving carries on all year, but a colder, nutrient-rich current can darken the water in the other months.
Dive videos
Mergulho - Ilha do Xavier - Florianópolis em dias de Noronha - GoPro Hero3+ · Fabio Lopes on YouTube
Questions divers ask
How deep is the diving at Ilha do Xavier?+
The diving runs from 5 to 18 m around the island, which covers every level of experience. It can be done on scuba or with a snorkel.
How do divers get to Ilha do Xavier?+
By boat. Boats usually leave from Praia da Barra da Lagoa, and the run takes about 10 minutes on a light-wind day.
Sources
- Mergulho em Florianópolis: 9 lugares — Água Viva Mergulho
- Conhecendo os pontos de mergulho de Santa Catarina — Brasil Mergulho
Photo credits
- A long, low rocky island with a small rock beside it, alone on hazy blue open sea by Mx. Granger, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
More dive sites in Florianópolis & Ilha do Xavier
Artificial reef
A tuna boat lost in January 2008 beside Ilha do Xavier
Seven crevices cut into steep rock walls
Similar dives elsewhere
The refuge's low-difficulty mooring, shallow enough for try-dives
A shallow rock at the islet's edge where turtles gather
Fish-crowded boulder outcrop with rays on the sand
A submerged Christ the Redeemer statue and an aeroplane wreck at the south end