Maracajaú

The north coast’s most popular snorkeling spot, Maracajaú sits about 63 kilometers from Natal and offers the most extensive span of rock and coral reefs in the country, some 13 square kilometers of them. Here the water is transparent, warm (around 28°C), and shallow (1–3 meters deep), making it perfect for viewing tropical fish and lobsters. The main diving area, called Parrachos, is about six kilometers from the shore and you can take a fast or slow boat out there for a swim. Afterward, try a fresh fish meal at one of the beach kiosks. On the full-day excursion by van (R$60), you drive to Maracajaú, then take a small boat out to the reefs for several hours of snorkeling. Some agencies offer optional scuba baptism (beginner) dives here and this is a privileged way to try scuba (normally baptisms are done in swimming pools). Try to get a boat that has a covered area on board and consider wearing a tee shirt in the water to keep from burning your back while you’re busy snorkeling.

For experienced divers, there are two shipwrecks worth exploring. One is the São Luiz, which went down in 1911 and rests on the sandy bottom, about 30 meters deep, among lobsters and numerous species of fish. The other is called O Comandante Pessoa, which sank in 1942 and is a bit more advanced.