Reefwander

Ubatuba · Brazil · Artificial reef · Reef

Estátua do Cousteau

Life-size statue of Jacques Cousteau on the sand at 9 m

A life-size statue of Jacques Cousteau stands on the sand at 9 m off Praia do Leste on Ilha Anchieta, close to the rocky shore. Ubatuba's dive operators placed it in 1997, and the shallow site, 3 to 12 m deep inside the Ilha Anchieta state park, gathers a wide range of marine life around the statue and the rocks.

Also known as Cousteau Statue.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Estátua do Cousteau: typical dive 3–12 m (10–40 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit3 m12 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

23.5330° S, 45.0449° WPublished position for this site.

The dive

The boat moors off Praia do Leste on Ilha Anchieta, a spot sheltered from south and southwest winds. The site runs from 3 to 12 m, and the life-size statue of Jacques Cousteau stands on the sand at 9 m, close to the rocky shore. Ubatuba's association of dive operators placed it there on 15 November 1997, in homage to the French diver and scientist.

Beside the statue, the rocky shore and the sand around it gather a wide diversity of marine life, so the site is more than the statue alone. Ilha Anchieta and its surroundings have been a state park since 1977, and fishing and spearfishing are prohibited around the island and the neighbouring Ilhote do Sul, a protection that covers the statue site as well as the rocky shore around it.

Background

The statue was placed on 15 November 1997 by the association of Ubatuba's dive operators, in homage to the French diver and scientist Jacques Cousteau. It stands inside the Parque Estadual da Ilha Anchieta, created in 1977 to protect the island, the Ilhote do Sul and the ruins of the old prison, where fishing and spearfishing are prohibited.

Marine life and season

The sources we used don't single out particular species here.

Month-by-month season rating for Estátua do Cousteau
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FairGoodGoodFairFairFairFairFairGoodGoodFairFair

Season follows Ubatuba: Diving runs all year. The water is warmest, up to 27 °C, in February and March, and stingrays gather to mate at Pedra da Cachorra in September and October.

Questions divers ask

How deep is the Cousteau statue at Ilha Anchieta?+

The statue stands on the sand at 9 m, beside the rocky shore. The site as a whole runs from 3 to 12 m.

Who placed the Cousteau statue in Ubatuba?+

Ubatuba's association of dive operators placed the life-size statue on 15 November 1997, in homage to Jacques Cousteau.

Sources

  1. Pontos de Mergulho - Omnimare — Omnimare

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