In ancient nautical charts the expression ‘Open your eyes’ was a warning to those sailing in rough waters that hid immense coral reefs. But today the warning is really needed […]
In ancient nautical charts the expression ‘Open your eyes’ was a warning to those sailing in rough waters that hid immense coral reefs.
But today the warning really applies to those who visit one of the most isolated and preserved tourist destinations in the Brazilian Northeast, the Abrolhos archipelago, in the extreme south of Bahia.
The Abrolhos National Marine Park, created in 1983 as the first of its kind in Brazil, holds one of the greatest biodiversity in the South Atlantic, where 1,300 species have been cataloged, including the unique brain coral that shapes the impressive coral structures . that only exist there, the chapeirões.
The excursions begin in Caravelas, 250 km from Porto Seguro, and continue for about three hours, depending on the mood of the sea and any stops to observe the most awaited guests of the entire region, the humpback whales.
WHAT TO DO IN ABROLHOS
Abrolhos Marine National Park
The archipelago is made up of five islands of volcanic origin (Redonda, Sueste, Guarita, Santa Bárbara and Siriba) and there is an entrance fee (R$52 – Brazilians and R$104 – foreigners).
However, visitors are only allowed to disembark in the latter, where a short 200 meter walk takes place, accompanied by environmental observers who accompany visitors to the white gannet nests.
Already the Santa Barbara, the largest in the region, is the only habitable place and temporary residence for scientists and military personnel. In some cases, divers diving cruises They are invited to climb to the 1861 lighthouse, 22 meters high and 60 meters above sea level, from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the region and a strategic point to admire the sunset.
As Lieutenant Captain Felipe Balod Moniz Sodré explains, the military presence in Abrolhos is essential for the safety of navigation in this “area of great maritime movement, with the presence of fishing, tourist and transport vessels”.
Siriba
This is one of the few lands with an authorized landing place for tourists.
It is there that a short 200 meter walk takes place, accompanied by environmental observers who accompany visitors to the nests of white gannets and red-billed crows.
Like nearby Santa Bárbara, Siriba is home to the largest colony of white gannets in the entire archipelago.
Round Island
Closed since 1997, when a visitor launched a rocket that killed nearly 200 birds, Redonda has been reopened with restrictions, depending on tide and wind conditions.
Currently, landings are only carried out at night, together with nocturnal groups or during specific activities, such as waste collection activities.
Between September and March it is also possible to witness the nesting of loggerhead turtles, whose nest openings can be observed by visitors, in some specific cases.
Transfer to Abrolhos and back: is it worth it?
For those who have little time or do not do scuba diving, the option is day trips (R$ 520 per person) which include underwater activities such as snorkelingat different diving spots, disembarkation on Siriba island, fruit, snack and meal and snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel and fins).
However, with few attractions on land, Abrolhos is best explored underwater, with self-guided dives for non-divers, known as “baptism” (R$350, with full equipment included). The activity takes place between the islands at a depth of between 5 and 7 meters and lasts approximately 30 minutes.
But we have to be honest. Seeing the sunrise or sunset in Abrolhos is one of the most impactful experiences of the entire destination, so as much as possible, try to spend more than one day in the region.
Diving cruise
It is from the extreme south of Bahia, in Caravelas, 250 km from Porto Seguro, that boats depart for trips of up to four days, to discover the park’s islands and diving spots.
Known as cruise (“live aboard”, in the literal translation), these boats are for divers and have itineraries for certified divers or for those who simply want to do mouthpiece, in some diving spots. It’s like spending your days immersed in an underwater world, but with the services of a floating hotel, equipped with cabins, bathrooms with hot water and meals always ready when you return from diving.
At Horizonte Aberto (horizonteaberto.com.br), packages with full board, soft drinks and diving equipment (tank, weight, refills and guide) cost between R$2,300 (2 days) and R$4,550 (4 days).
Chapeiraos
There is a must-see place in Abrolhos.
A terror to sailors of yesteryear, these immense mushroom-shaped coral formations are endemic to southern Bahia and can reach more than 20 meters in height and around 50 meters in diameter at the top.
Large enough to explore around and inside, the chapeirões are the most impressive attraction of the entire trip. The most famous of these is Faca Cega, 35 meters high and equipped with an internal room, where it is possible to dive among endemic species that only exist in Abrolhos, such as the Bahia brain coral.
On the same trip to a cruise It is possible to dive in chapeirões ranging in size from 15 meters, such as Chapeirinhos da Sueste, and Chapeirão Atobá, 25 meters away, in the Parcel dos Abrolhos.
It’s as if the fertile mind of director Tim Burton and the surreal setting of Avatar shared the same address.
Shipwrecks
The scenic surreality during diving continues in the wrecks that can be explored by divers with basic or advanced certifications.
One of the dive spots is the Rosalinda, an Italian merchant ship that sank in Abrolhos, in 1955. At a maximum depth of 20 meters, the ship’s steering wheel and the cargo of cement that the ship carried in the hold are still preserved. .
Another point worth visiting is Santa Catharina, where the dive aboard this ship sunk by the British in 1914 ranges from 14 to 25 meters deep.
WHEN WE GO
For water activities in warmer waters and with greater visibility, the summer season runs from December to February, a period also recommended for scuba diving.
But to see the region’s most anticipated attraction, the best time is during the whale watching season, between July and November.
HOW TO GET
The closest airport to Caravelas, from where boats leave for Abrolhos, is Teixeira de Freitas, in the far south of Bahia, where only Latam flights arrive, with stopovers in cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Salvador.
The journey between the capital of Bahia and the small terminal of Teixeira de Freitas (TXF), 80 km from Caravelas, takes about 1h50.
In TXF, you have to hire a transfer which takes just over an hour to get to Caravelas. From there it takes about four hours to reach the archipelago.
“I see all these difficulties as a positive point. We can still keep it intact as you can see.”, explains the biologist and diving instructor Luciana Fuzetti, proudly opening her arms wide, in front of the island of Santa Barbara.
Another option is to fly to Porto Seguro, 250 km away, served by major Brazilian airlines.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
