Paraty · Brazil · Reef · Night
Ilha dos Ratos
A statue of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, covered in algae
Area photo: manoellemos · CC BY-SA 2.0
Ilha dos Ratos is one of Paraty's main dive sites, 20 to 30 minutes by boat from the Marinha do Engenho, with a statue of Neptune on the bottom. The shallow south point has no current and suits first dives, the north point goes to 12 m, and the island is a recommended night dive.
Where it is and how deep
23.1954° S, 44.6078° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The island is dived at two points. The south point is shallower and has no current, which makes it the end for beginners and for people trying diving for the first time in calm water. The north point is a little deeper and reaches 12 m. The best-known feature is a sunken statue of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, now covered in algae, which makes good underwater photographs.
The fish life is varied, and large fish such as groupers are often seen. Rays, turtles and schools of fish are easy to spot. The water is clear enough that people on the boat can watch the divers below them. Ilha dos Ratos is also one of the sites recommended for night diving in Paraty.
Marine life and season
- Stingrays
- Sea turtles
- Groupers
- Reef fish swarms
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Season follows Paraty: No month is reported as best: the bay's islands have calm, clear water all year, and January is the wettest month with about 19 rain days.
Dive videos
Explorando a Ilha dos Ratos em Paraty | Mergulho Relaxante · ACTION Dive and Rescue on YouTube
Questions divers ask
How far is Ilha dos Ratos from Paraty?+
The boat ride from the Marinha do Engenho in Paraty takes 20 to 30 minutes.
Is Ilha dos Ratos good for beginners?+
Yes. The south point is shallower and has no current, and the north point reaches only 12 m.
Sources
- Conheça os 7 principais pontos de mergulho em Paraty — Evidive
- Conheça os principais pontos para a prática de mergulho em Paraty! — Pousada Porto Imperial
- Mergulhar nas águas de Paraty é indispensável ao visitar a cidade — Portal iG
- Ilha dos Ratos, Paraty (OpenStreetMap) — OpenStreetMap
More dive sites in Paraty
Reef
Shoals of small fish close to the surface in calm water
A cave and octopus in Paraty's clearest water
Reef
A submerged Christ the Redeemer statue and an aeroplane wreck at the south end
Pinnacle
One rock to follow from the surface down to 22 m
Wreck
Paraty's shipwreck dive, off the Cajaíba point
Similar dives elsewhere
Shallow coral-block reef the dive tables list as a night dive
A coral slope below the Jesus statue with a resident turtle.
Rocky coastline between 4 and 15 m, dived by day and by night
Shallow bay under the duck-shaped rock, with no current