Ilha dos Ratos

A special attraction of Ilha dos Ratos is a submerged statue of Neptune, the Roman god of the seas, overgrown with algae. The island itself is private property, inhabited by a family of fishermen, and has no beaches or springs of drinking water.

Underwater life is intense, with many colorful schools of fish and coral blocks, and the shoreline of large boulders and granite walls gathers both crevice-dwelling fish and passing fish. Passing fish are seen frequently, and among the large fish, groupers are often spotted, including the species known locally as badejo-mira. Rays, turtles and schools of fish are easy to spot, and it is also common to find snook and octopuses among the rocks scattered over the sandy bottom. It is also a great spot for night diving.

On dives in Paraty Bay you may see the fish known locally as peixe-frade, badejos, the fish known locally as salema, turtles, seahorses, the rays known locally as raias-prego, and moray eels.