Diving

Ilhas dos Currais Marine National Park

The Ilhas dos Currais Marine National Park is made up of a small archipelago 6.2 miles (11 km) off the coast, opposite Praia de Leste, in the municipality of Pontal do Paraná. It consists of three small islands (Grapirá, Dois Picos and Filhote) and some nearby reefs, covering an area of 1,359.69 hectares. The islands have no beaches; they are made of rock formations and stones that form the surrounding reefs. More than 8,000 birds live on these islands, as well as many fish that shelter in the reefs near the islands. On dives, with an average visibility of 5 meters and a depth of no more than 15 meters, it is possible to see turtles, moray eels, passing schools of fish such as king mackerel, many damselfish, grunts, butterflyfish, among others. The water temperature stays between 20°C and 26°C all year round. There are three Marine National Parks in all of Brazil: Fernando de Noronha, Abrolhos and the Ilhas dos Currais, which became the third Conservation Unit in this category. Landing is not allowed and dives may only be carried out with authorization from ICMBio.

Source: Associação MarBrasil.

For more information about ICMBio authorization, the contact phone number is (41) 3452-6340.

More diving information: Dives - Associação MarBrasil

Shipwrecks

‘‘Dianka and Espera 7’’ Barges

Diving at the barges is considered the best spot for the activity in the state of Paraná. The depth ranges from 21 to 27 meters, the temperature from 20°C to 26°C and the visibility from 2 to 30 meters on days with calm sea and wind. There are two sunken structures, named “Dianka”, further south, and “Espera 7”, further north, 5 miles (9.2 km) apart from each other and 22.5 miles (41.7 km) from the coast. On these dives you can find beautiful goliath groupers, as well as many schools of dozens of fish species. Because they are in open sea and far from the coast, they are recommended for experienced divers with advanced certification and safety equipment, accompanied by professionals who know the wrecks.

Source: Associação MarBrasil.

RAM

Artificial Marine Reefs

Marine biodiversity in Paraná has increased substantially since the implementation of the RAM Project (Recifes Artificiais Marinhos, or Artificial Marine Reefs) by UFPR - Federal University of Paraná, in 2001, when two researchers (founders of Associação MarBrasil) sank about two thousand concrete structures plus two bulk cargo barges. The RAM Project installed the reefs between the Currais Archipelago (now a Marine National Park) and the Itacolomis Islands, forming the well-known “Parque dos Meros” (Goliath Grouper Park) dive site. With the REBIMAR Project, Associação MarBrasil installed 5,500 concrete structures parallel to the coast of Pontal do Paraná to maintain and restore marine biodiversity, the first artificial reef project in Brazil licensed by IBAMA/MMA.

Source: Associação MarBrasil.

More information:
Tourism Department
(41) 3455-9631
pontalprturismo@gmail.com