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Diving Season and Conditions
Year-round tropical diving in Recife and Noronha, only a few degrees below the equator. In Noronha, water temps average 80F, with little seasonal variation; slightly cooler in Recife. Bathed by the South Equatorial Current, visibility in Noronha averages 60 to 90 feet, with occasional bouts of 100 feet. Recife averages about 50 feet of visibility, but is subject to strong currents and nearshore runoff.
Rio de Janeiro and Angra dos Reis, located in the Tropic of Capricorn, also enjoy a tropical climate but with dips to the 70Fs in the winter. The waters around Angra's Ilha Grande Bay have thermoclines down to 60F. Visibility can be great or poor, depending on the currents and weather, most predictable in the summer (December through March).
Getting There
Direct flights to Recife are available from New York (seven-and-a-half hours) and Miami (four-and-a-half hours). Flights typically leave in late evening. Sleep on the plane and awake in Brazil in the morning - Recife is two hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
Your dive travel agent can arrange an add-on flight and stay in Rio, a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Recife.
Entry Into Brazil - American citizens must show a passport (valid for six months from intended date of arrival) and a visa, which can be obtained from the Brazilian consulate in Washington, D.C., Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York or San Francisco.
Customs - Dive gear and photography equipment are considered part of your baggage and require no additional payment or paperwork.
Language and Currency
The Brazilians' own brand of Portuguese - soft and sensual - is the national language. English is widely spoken in the tourist industry in Recife, Rio and Angra. But not Noronha.
The Brazilian monetary unit is the real, currently trading at approximately R.95 per dollar. Cash, traveler's checks and international credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and shops in Recife and Rio. Have reals ready in Noronha.
Hotels and Pousadas
Brazil is home to some of the grandest hotels on Earth. In Recife, try the Luciem Palace on Boa Viagem Beach. In Rio: Hotel Meridien on Copacabana. In Noronha, be ready for the pousada experience: small bed and breakfast guest houses. Best picks: Pousada da Zé Maria, for its beautiful Brazilian hardwoods and sunset view of Morro do Pico and Conceição Beach. Solar dos Ventos, for its view of Sueste Bay. Pousada da Morena and Pousada do Rocha are also recommended. Do not stay in the so-called "hotel" on Noronha. It is a converted WWII quonset hut and hot as hell on a good day.
Electrical Current - Most tourist hotels in Rio and Recife provide 110-volt and 220-volt outlets. Have the 110 adapter and a surge protector ready in Noronha.
Dive Operators
Noronha
The preferred operation for Americans is Atlantis Divers, owned and operated by a Frenchman, Patrick Muller. His boats are the best on the island and his dive program is designed with Americans in mind. (011) 5581-619-1371.
As a backup on Noronha, there is Aguas Claras, a well-run operation with old-style fishing boats. (011) 5581-619-1152.
Recife
Expedição Atlantico offers experienced tours of the wrecks off the coast. Hotel pickup available. (011) 5581-227-0458.
Angra dos Reis
Guilherme Moreira's Aquamaster Dive Center is a charming resort and family-style dive operation with an emphasis on education. Guilherme is a former Brazilian Navy commandant and an expert guide to the islands and Atlantic Ocean forests of the area. (011) 5524-365-2416 or (011) 5521-205-7070 (Rio office).
U.S. Travel Agency
Waters Edge Scuba & Adventure Specialist: (800) 990-3839 or (303) 316-5908; fax (303) 321-5547; e-mail: divein@cherrycreektravel.com.
For More Info
Check out the Brazilian Embassy's web site at http://brasil.emb.nw.dc.us
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