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Scuba divers exploring a breathtaking underwater cave environment with intricate rock formations.
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Picãozinho

3.5 — based on 13 community signals
4.3 12 species 40 contributors

Picãozinho is a year-round dive site in Brazil within a protected marine area, home to diverse reef life and 12 recorded species.

⭐ Best for beginners.

🐢 MPA · Área de Proteção Ambiental Nau… updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
MPABleachingRiskShore entryFamily-friendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Green sea turtle

Map

This spot Airport Nearby spots
Picãozinho location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
8.7 kn
Wave
1.42 m
Water
27.9°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: SE (49%)
Now: SSE (168°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.86m

Today: High 10:00 (+0.39m), Low 03:00 (-0.17m)

+1.1 m0 m-0.8 m
▼ 03:00 · -0.17m ▲ 10:00 · +0.39m ▼ 16:00 · -0.07m ▲ 22:00 · +0.48m Now -0.1m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV9 · very high Air PM2.59 · good 05:11 17:15
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 13.9 1.54 9 4mm
09-19 12.3 1.46 9 4mm
09-20 11.9 1.36 9 7mm
09-21 10.5 1.32 9 1mm
09-22 10.7 1.32 9 3mm
09-23 10 1.34 9 0mm
09-24 9.2 1.36 9 2mm
⚠ Coral bleaching: Watch — favorable conditions
DHW: 6.6°C-weeks · NOAA Coral Reef Watch

About this spot

Picãozinho sits within the Área de Proteção Ambiental Naufrágio Queimado, a marine protected area that safeguards the site's ecosystem. The location draws divers seeking encounters with Brazil's Atlantic reef fauna in a regulated diving zone. Local dive operators lead trips to the site, and a growing library of community videos documents conditions and marine behavior. The site maintains year-round accessibility, making it a flexible choice for visiting divers. Twelve documented species observations provide a foundation for understanding what marine life you'll encounter. Current coral bleaching trends warrant attention, so checking recent conditions before booking remains prudent. The protected status means access follows established guidelines to preserve the reef. Community video documentation offers firsthand insight into what current visibility and marine activity look like. Plan dives with licensed local operators familiar with site-specific protocols and conditions.

📖 Guide: Diving in Brazil: 13 Sites From Wrecks to Turtle Reefs

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Green sea turtle

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type C/N · 127V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 48%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 7293km · ~1677kg · €30

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 82/100
  • Visa: Visa-free · 90 days max
  • Flight: 13h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 2h east · 2 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Picãozinho?

Picãozinho is diveable year-round, giving you flexibility in planning. Check recent conditions and local operator reports before booking, as seasonal weather shifts can affect visibility and safety.

What depth and difficulty level should I expect?

Specific depth and difficulty ratings are not currently documented for this site. Contact local dive operators in Brazil who know Picãozinho to get accurate guidance before your visit.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve species have been documented at Picãozinho. Review available community videos and species observations to get a sense of what you might encounter, then ask your dive operator for the latest sightings.

Are there permit or access requirements?

Picãozinho lies within the Área de Proteção Ambiental Naufrágio Queimado, a protected marine area. Dives must follow local regulations. Work with a licensed operator who understands current access rules and conservation protocols.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

20 records · 17 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Drymaeus papyraceus

Gastropoda · Bulimulidae
GBIF
Last seen:
28 Mar 2026
×1records

Littoraria angulifera

Gastropoda · Littorinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
6 Mar 2026
×1records

Clibanarius sclopetarius

Malacostraca · Diogenidae
GBIF
Last seen:
6 Mar 2026
×1records

Physalia physalis

Hydrozoa · Physaliidae
GBIF
Last seen:
26 Feb 2026
×2records

Aetobatus narinari

Elasmobranchii · Myliobatidae
GBIF
Last seen:
26 Feb 2026
×1records

Albunea paretii

Malacostraca · Albuneidae
GBIF
Last seen:
20 Feb 2026
×1records

Tanychlamys W.H.Benson, 1834

Gastropoda · Ariophantidae
GBIF
Last seen:
1 Feb 2026
×1records

Mellita quinquiesperforata

Echinoidea · Mellitidae
GBIF
Last seen:
31 Jan 2026
×1records

Ocypode quadrata

Malacostraca · Ocypodidae
GBIF
Last seen:
30 Jan 2026
×2records

Hypanus guttatus

Elasmobranchii · Dasyatidae
GBIF
Last seen:
30 Jan 2026
×1records

Eriphia gonagra

Malacostraca · Eriphiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
29 Jan 2026
×1records

Echinometra lucunter

Echinoidea · Echinometridae
GBIF
Last seen:
29 Jan 2026
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Snorkeling at Picaozinho, Joao Pessoa, Brazil HD 0429

Photo Passion by AlexPiLion

Mergulho Picãozinho João - Pessoa

Caio Márcio Garcia Vieira

Piscinas naturais de Picãozinho - João Pessoa - PB

Paraíba Travel /Passeio em João Pessoa

Local knowledge

OpenStreetMap Notes
  • "Mudou o local entre as igrejas, agora é outra, vou ver isso mais tarde #OsmAnd"

    ParaCluster · 2025-11-27
  • "Vamos mapear Aratu? Comunidade organizada com mais de dez associações populares e lideranças. Com cerca de 60 hectares de território, ocupação espontânea, grande parte do território não possui segurança jurídica, tampouco, abastecimento de água, esgoto, luz, energia, dados, pavimentação, entre outros. As habitações em grande parte são vulneráveis e com patologias significativas."

    Amelia Panet · 2024-08-02
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jan (100/100) Worst: Jul (0/100) Now: Sep (93/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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