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Ocean Calling

Ocean Atlas · Americas

Americas

Brazil

Atlantic island reefs, whale nurseries watched from boat or shore, and very clear spring rivers inland.

Morro Dois Irmaos rising from turquoise sea at Fernando de Noronha
Baia dos Porcos, Fernando de Noronha · Photo: Ze Paulo on Unsplash
Exploring

Ethics pass, with care. We found a way to visit this country that meets our animal-welfare standard, as long as we work with the right local operator. Checked by Ocean Calling on 30 Sep 2026. Sources: Lei 7.643 of 1987, protection of cetaceans, Planalto (Brazil government); Portaria IBAMA 117 of 1996, whale watching rules, IBAMA; Noronha's spinners, Projeto Golfinho Rotador.

🧭 Travel advice, checked 30 Sep 2026. The UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to certain river areas of Amazonas State, including parts of the Itaquai River, Japura River and Rio Negro. It has no country-wide warning. Sources: UK FCDO travel advice, Brazil Advice differs by passport: check your own government before you plan.

FreedivingScubaSnorkellingWhalesTurtles

Why Brazil

Brazil has a long Atlantic coast with very different places. Fernando de Noronha is a marine national park with clear warm water, turtles, rays and reef fish for scuba and snorkelling, and spinner dolphins rest in a closed bay that you watch from the cliff. From July to November humpback whales raise their calves off Bahia, watched from licensed boats at Praia do Forte and Abrolhos. In Santa Catarina, southern right whale mothers come close to the beaches and are watched only from land. Inland, Bonito has very clear spring rivers for guided snorkelling with freshwater fish. In Brazil it is a crime to harass whales and dolphins, and swimming closer than 50 m to a whale is not allowed, so we watch all whales and dolphins here and never swim with them.

Conservation-led. Ocean Calling guests never chase, touch or bait animals.

FijiArgentinaChileDem. Rep. CongoChadSouth AfricaUruguayBrazilBoliviaPeruColombiaPanamaCosta RicaNicaraguaVenezuelaGuyanaSurinameFranceEcuadorNamibiaMaliBeninNigerNigeriaCameroonTogoGhanaCôte d'IvoireGuineaGuinea-BissauLiberiaSierra LeoneBurkina FasoCentral African Rep.CongoGabonEq. GuineaAngolaParaguayTrinidad and TobagoFernando de Noronha, BrazilAbrolhos, BrazilPraia do Forte, BrazilSanta Catarina whale coast, BrazilBonito, Brazil

When to go

Aug-Oct. Timing changes by place and by animal, so check each place below.

We have researched this place and keep learning about it. There is no trip here yet.

Our ethics check

Can we travel here ethically?

Ethics pass, with care

Good with the right operator. Here is how we choose.

Brazil has strong laws: harassing whales and dolphins is a crime, and nobody may swim closer than 50 m to a whale. At Fernando de Noronha, fewer spinner dolphins now rest in their bay each day and researchers are still studying why, so we watch them from the cliff and skip dolphin boat tours. We choose reef snorkelling and diving, and whale watching with licensed boats that keep their distance.

Checked 30 Sep 2026. Places change, so we look again every year.

Sources for this check
Places we are exploring

Where in Brazil

Short notes from our research. Wildlife is never guaranteed.

Fernando de Noronha

Exploring

A volcanic marine park island with clear warm water for scuba and snorkelling, and spinner dolphins watched from the cliff.

🤿 In the water: Green and hawksbill turtles, Reef fish, Rays, Nurse sharks and reef sharks (possible, on dives)

⛵ From the boat or shore, never in the water: Spinner dolphins (from the cliff viewpoint, the bay is closed to people), Dolphins from the boat (passing only)

When: Aug-Jan. Diving runs all year. August to January is often drier with clearer water. March to July is the rainy season. The island has a monthly visitor limit, so plan early.

Rules and fees: Visitors pay the marine national park ticket, R$384 for foreign guests and valid for 10 days. Some trails need a booking and a certified guide, and life jackets are required at most natural pools.

Abrolhos

Exploring

A remote marine park on the largest coral bank of the South Atlantic, and a nursery where humpback mothers raise their calves.

🤿 In the water: Reef fish around coral towers, Turtles (possible), Rays

⛵ From the boat or shore, never in the water: Humpback whales with calves (Jul-Nov, from licensed boats), Seabirds nesting on the islands

When: Jul-Nov. Humpbacks are here from about July to November, most in August and September, when the sea can be windy. December to April has warmer water and better visibility for diving. The boat crossing takes about three hours.

Rules and fees: Visits to Abrolhos Marine National Park happen only with tourism companies authorised by the park authority, and they follow the park's own visitor rules.

Praia do Forte

Exploring

An easy Bahia coast village near Salvador, where humpback whales pass close to shore in the winter months.

🤿 In the water: Reef fish in shallow natural pools (calm days)

⛵ From the boat or shore, never in the water: Humpback whales (Jul-Oct, from licensed boats)

When: Aug-Sep. The whale season runs from about July to October, with most whales in August and September.

Santa Catarina whale coast

Exploring

Southern right whale mothers and calves close to the beaches, watched quietly from the shore.

⛵ From the boat or shore, never in the water: Southern right whales with calves (Jul-Nov, from land only), Bottlenose dolphins near Laguna (from the shore)

When: Aug-Oct. Whales arrive from about June or July and stay to November, most in September. Boat whale watching is not allowed here, so all watching is from beaches, trails and viewpoints. It is winter, so bring warm layers.

Bonito

Exploring

Very clear spring rivers inland, for guided snorkel floats with freshwater fish, with strict visitor limits.

🤿 In the water: Freshwater fish in clear spring rivers (guided float)

When: May-Sep. The dry months, about May to September, often bring the clearest water, around 22 to 24°C. Heavy summer rain from December to March can cloud the rivers.

Animals

Animals recorded in Brazil

Tap an animal to learn how it lives, where it travels and how to meet it respectfully.

Land animals
Humpback whale swimming close with long pectoral finHumpback whaleMegaptera novaeangliaeSeen in 87 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernSouthern right whale surfacing with V-shaped blow and pale callosities, ArgentinaSouthern right whaleEubalaena australisSeen in 7 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernTwo spinner dolphins swimming over sand in clear waterSpinner dolphinStenella longirostrisSeen in 66 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernCommon bottlenose dolphin swimming over a seagrass bedCommon bottlenose dolphinTursiops truncatusSeen in 89 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernBryde’s whale surfacing and exhaling in deep blue open oceanBryde's whaleBalaenoptera edeniSeen in 36 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernGreen turtle resting on the reef, shell and head pattern in sharp detailGreen turtleChelonia mydasSeen in 103 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernHawksbill turtle swimming, pointed beak in profileHawksbill turtleEretmochelys imbricataSeen in 88 countries in the AtlasCritically EndangeredLoggerhead turtle at the surface feeding on Portuguese man o' warLoggerhead turtleCaretta carettaSeen in 89 countries in the AtlasVulnerableNurse shark swimming over a reef at Fernando de Noronha, BrazilAtlantic nurse sharkGinglymostoma cirratumSeen in 38 countries in the AtlasVulnerableLemon shark seen from above, gliding over a pale sandy seabedLemon sharkNegaprion brevirostrisSeen in 16 countries in the AtlasVulnerableTiger shark with clear stripes swimming over a reefTiger sharkGaleocerdo cuvierSeen in 47 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedBull shark swimming in clear blue water off Quintana Roo, MexicoBull sharkCarcharhinus leucasSeen in 30 countries in the AtlasVulnerableCaribbean reef shark swimming close over a reef in the BahamasCaribbean reef sharkCarcharhinus pereziSeen in 19 countries in the AtlasEndangeredAntillean manatee swimming in clear blue water, seen from belowAntillean manateeTrichechus manatus manatusSeen in 14 countries in the AtlasEndangeredAtlantic manta ray gliding over a school of small fish off Holbox, MexicoAtlantic manta rayMobula yaraeSeen in 5 countries in the AtlasNot EvaluatedHuge spotted whale shark gliding through open blue waterWhale sharkRhincodon typusSeen in 54 countries in the AtlasEndangeredSperm whale mother raising her fluke beside her calf off DominicaSperm whalePhyseter macrocephalusSeen in 114 countries in the AtlasVulnerableOrcas surfacing close together in calm Arctic Norwegian watersOrca (killer whale)Orcinus orcaSeen in 55 countries in the AtlasData DeficientScalloped hammerhead shark cruising in deep blue Red Sea waterScalloped hammerheadSphyrna lewiniSeen in 57 countries in the AtlasCritically EndangeredShort-finned pilot whale surfacing off Tenerife with the island behindShort-finned pilot whaleGlobicephala macrorhynchusSeen in 43 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernPod of common dolphins surfacing in calm blue seaCommon dolphinDelphinus delphisSeen in 53 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernFin whale surfacing, showing its white right lower jawFin whaleBalaenoptera physalusSeen in 37 countries in the AtlasVulnerableBronze whaler shark swimming in green-blue waterBronze whaler (copper shark)Carcharhinus brachyurusSeen in 11 countries in the AtlasVulnerableMinke whale surfacing and exhaling, seen from aboveCommon minke whale (North Atlantic)Balaenoptera acutorostrataSeen in 30 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernGreat barracuda cruising in open blue water, showing jagged teethGreat barracudaSphyraena barracudaSeen in 84 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernGiant oceanic manta with T-shaped white shoulder patches and remorasOceanic manta ray (giant manta)Mobula birostrisSeen in 31 countries in the AtlasEndangeredTwo long-finned pilot whales surfacing side by sideLong-finned pilot whaleGlobicephala melasSeen in 24 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernGreat hammerhead seen from above over rippled white sandGreat hammerheadSphyrna mokarranSeen in 20 countries in the AtlasCritically EndangeredMale magnificent frigatebird perched on a mangrove branchMagnificent frigatebirdFregata magnificensSeen in 52 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernScarred Risso's dolphin spyhopping out of the waterRisso's dolphinGrampus griseusSeen in 56 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernSicklefin devil ray swimming in open blue waterSicklefin devil ray (Chilean devil ray)Mobula tarapacanaSeen in 9 countries in the AtlasEndangeredSei whale's tall dorsal fin breaking a calm sea surfaceSei whaleBalaenoptera borealisSeen in 24 countries in the AtlasEndangeredClose-up of a sleeping maned male South American sea lion on rocksSouth American sea lionOtaria byroniaSeen in 6 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernStriped dolphin leaping, dark flank stripe clearly visibleStriped dolphinStenella coeruleoalbaSeen in 43 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernWhite shark swimming under sunlit surface with small fish nearbyWhite sharkCarcharodon carchariasSeen in 17 countries in the AtlasVulnerableAntarctic minke whale surfacing among sea ice in AntarcticaAntarctic minke whaleBalaenoptera bonaerensisSeen in 6 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedDwarf minke whaleBalaenoptera acutorostrata (dwarf form)Seen in 30 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernHeavily spotted adult Atlantic spotted dolphin with young, AzoresAtlantic spotted dolphinStenella frontalisSeen in 22 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernFalse killer whale surging through blue water off Rota, Mariana IslandsFalse killer whalePseudorca crassidensSeen in 41 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedCuvier's beaked whale surfacing, pale scarred head and small dorsal finCuvier's beaked whaleZiphius cavirostrisSeen in 42 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernFraser's dolphin porpoising out of the waterFraser's dolphinLagenodelphis hoseiSeen in 18 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernLeatherback hatchling crossing the sand toward the seaLeatherback turtleDermochelys coriaceaSeen in 76 countries in the AtlasVulnerableMelon-headed whales leaping together through a splash of white waterMelon-headed whalePeponocephala electraSeen in 22 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernPantropical spotted dolphin gliding at the calm ocean surfacePantropical spotted dolphinStenella attenuataSeen in 56 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernTwo rough-toothed dolphins leaping together, blotchy grey skin visibleRough-toothed dolphinSteno bredanensisSeen in 36 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernOceanic whitetip shark with pilot fish in sunlit Red Sea waterOceanic whitetip sharkCarcharhinus longimanusSeen in 43 countries in the AtlasCritically EndangeredOlive ridley turtles nesting on Playa Ostional, Costa RicaOlive ridley turtleLepidochelys olivaceaSeen in 40 countries in the AtlasVulnerablePygmy killer whale surfacing in turquoise waterPygmy killer whaleFeresa attenuataSeen in 11 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernSilky shark swimming near the surface in blue waterSilky sharkCarcharhinus falciformisSeen in 48 countries in the AtlasVulnerableBlacktip shark swimming in green water in the GalápagosBlacktip sharkCarcharhinus limbatusSeen in 49 countries in the AtlasVulnerableGalápagos shark swimming low over a rocky seabedGalápagos sharkCarcharhinus galapagensisSeen in 15 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernDwarf sperm whale leaping clear of the open seaDwarf sperm whaleKogia simaSeen in 22 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernSandbar shark with its tall dorsal fin over a sandy seabed in HawaiʻiSandbar sharkCarcharhinus plumbeusSeen in 19 countries in the AtlasEndangeredWhitespotted eagle ray gliding over reef and sand in BelizeWhitespotted eagle rayAetobatus narinariSeen in 58 countries in the AtlasEndangeredPortuguese man o' war floating with purple crest off Pico, AzoresPortuguese man o' warPhysalia physalisSeen in 36 countries in the AtlasNot EvaluatedSouthern stingray resting on white sand, St John, US Virgin IslandsSouthern stingrayHypanus americanusSeen in 33 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedRed lionfish with spread fins over sand in Dauin, PhilippinesLionfish (red and common lionfish)Pterois volitans and Pterois milesSeen in 80 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernCommon octopus crawling over a rocky seabed in FranceCommon octopusOctopus vulgarisSeen in 32 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernSmooth hammerhead swimming in clear blue open water off SpainSmooth hammerheadSphyrna zygaenaSeen in 26 countries in the AtlasVulnerableShortfin mako shark at Condor Bank in the North Atlantic, AzoresShortfin makoIsurus oxyrinchusSeen in 40 countries in the AtlasEndangeredBlue shark swimming in open blue water off the Azores with a diver in the backgroundBlue sharkPrionace glaucaSeen in 50 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedGroup of Magellanic penguins standing on a pebble beach beside the waterMagellanic penguinSpheniscus magellanicusSeen in 6 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernLarge southern elephant seal resting on a wet beach, face turned to the cameraSouthern elephant sealMirounga leoninaSeen in 11 countries in the AtlasVulnerableTwo pygmy sperm whales at the sea surface off the Azores, low backs and small hooked dorsal fins showingPygmy sperm whaleKogia brevicepsSeen in 23 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernLongsnout seahorse holding a red sponge stalk with its tail against blue waterLongsnout seahorseHippocampus reidiSeen in 25 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedFreshwater sawfish (largetooth sawfish) in the Townsville region, Queensland, AustraliaSawfish (largetooth and smalltooth)Pristis pristis and Pristis pectinataSeen in 7 countries in the AtlasCritically EndangeredA Black Sea seahorse in the shallow water at Eforie-SudLong-snouted seahorseHippocampus guttulatusSeen in 21 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedSpiny dogfish resting on the seabed at the Josephine Marie shipwreck, Stellwagen Bank National Marine SanctuarySpiny dogfishSqualus acanthiasSeen in 47 countries in the AtlasVulnerableSouth American fur seal sitting upright on a seaweed-covered rock by the shoreSouth American fur sealArctocephalus australisSeen in 8 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernMasked booby on Ascension IslandMasked boobySula dactylatraSeen in 80 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernBlack noddy perched in a shrub on Tern Island, French Frigate ShoalsBlack noddyAnous minutusSeen in 37 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernDusky grouper underwater at Cabo de Palos, SpainDusky grouperEpinephelus marginatusSeen in 40 countries in the AtlasVulnerableFranciscana dolphinPontoporia blainvilleiSeen in 3 countries in the AtlasVulnerableDiver beside an Atlantic goliath grouper at Dry Tortugas National ParkGoliath grouperEpinephelus itajaraSeen in 25 countries in the AtlasVulnerableClymene dolphins leaping low over choppy open waterClymene dolphinStenella clymeneSeen in 5 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernAdult brown booby standing on a rock with its bill open against blue sky, PrincipeBrown boobySula leucogasterSeen in 104 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernSailfish swimming in open blue water, seen from below, with its long bill and tall dorsal finSailfishIstiophorus platypterusSeen in 31 countries in the AtlasVulnerableAtlantic bluefin tuna leaping out of choppy water, recorded in Hovedstaden, DenmarkAtlantic bluefin tunaThunnus thynnusSeen in 39 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernScarlet ibis in flight against a pale blue sky, photographed in Georgetown, GuyanaScarlet ibisEudocimus ruberSeen in 22 countries in the AtlasLives on landLeast ConcernThree black-browed albatrosses with their bills together at a Steeple Jason Island colony, against blue skyBlack-browed albatrossThalassarche melanophrisSeen in 21 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernClose view of a red-footed booby head with blue, pink and red bill and throat skin among green leavesRed-footed boobySula sulaSeen in 91 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernBroadnose sevengill shark close to the camera in a kelp forest, La Jolla Cove, CaliforniaBroadnose sevengill sharkNotorynchus cepedianusSeen in 8 countries in the AtlasVulnerableTarpon swimming in open blue water with a dense school of small fish behind it, off St John in the US Virgin IslandsAtlantic tarponMegalops atlanticusSeen in 24 countries in the AtlasVulnerableBlacknose shark swimming in clear blue water, seen from the sideBlacknose sharkCarcharhinus acronotusSeen in 6 countries in the AtlasEndangeredTwo spotted ragged-tooth sharks resting under a rocky overhang at Aliwal Shoal, South AfricaRagged-tooth shark (sand tiger)Carcharias taurusSeen in 17 countries in the AtlasCritically EndangeredCrowd of brown pelicans packed together on a coastal roost, one adult with a pale head and coloured bill facing the cameraBrown pelicanPelecanus occidentalisSeen in 48 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernCaribbean spiny lobster at the edge of a reef overhang with long antennae trailing across sandCaribbean spiny lobsterPanulirus argusSeen in 30 countries in the AtlasData DeficientHuge flock of sooty shearwaters flying low over the sea beside a rocky coastSooty shearwaterArdenna griseaSeen in 53 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedGreat frigatebird in flight, with long angled wings and a forked tailGreat frigatebirdFregata minorSeen in 44 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernWilson's storm-petrel resting on calm water with its wings raised above its backWilson's storm-petrelOceanites oceanicusSeen in 41 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernLesser frigatebird soaring against a blue sky with its wings spread and tail forkedLesser frigatebirdFregata arielSeen in 39 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernScopoli's shearwater skimming just above calm blue waterScopoli's shearwaterCalonectris diomedeaSeen in 37 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernLeach's storm-petrel in flight over water, wings spread, with a pale patch at the base of the tailLeach's storm-petrelHydrobates leucorhousSeen in 35 countries in the AtlasVulnerableManx shearwater banking just above the sea, white underparts and dark upperparts visibleManx shearwaterPuffinus puffinusSeen in 34 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernGreat shearwater flying low over calm water, its reflection belowGreat shearwaterArdenna gravisSeen in 32 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernNeotropic cormorant perched among willow branches beside the waterNeotropic cormorantNannopterum brasilianumSeen in 29 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernTope shark swimming in clear shallow water, seen from the sideTope shark (school shark)Galeorhinus galeusSeen in 25 countries in the AtlasCritically EndangeredAnhinga holding a fish in its long, pointed billAnhinga (American darter)Anhinga anhingaSeen in 24 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernCommon thresher shark leaping clear of the water, its long upper tail lobe trailing belowCommon thresherAlopias vulpinusSeen in 16 countries in the AtlasVulnerableSharpnose sevengill sharkHeptranchias perloSeen in 15 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedWhite-chinned petrel floating on blue water with its white chin patch showingWhite-chinned petrelProcellaria aequinoctialisSeen in 14 countries in the AtlasVulnerableSpiny butterfly ray resting on a sandy seabed among seagrassSpiny butterfly rayGymnura altavelaSeen in 14 countries in the AtlasEndangeredSpinner shark swimming just under the surface of calm water, seen from aboveSpinner sharkCarcharhinus brevipinnaSeen in 14 countries in the AtlasVulnerableSmooth butterfly rayGymnura micruraSeen in 13 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedBigeye thresherAlopias superciliosusSeen in 13 countries in the AtlasVulnerableTwo dark dorsal fins of porbeagle sharks cutting the sea surfacePorbeagleLamna nasusSeen in 11 countries in the AtlasVulnerableDusky shark swimming just under the surface of blue waterDusky sharkCarcharhinus obscurusSeen in 11 countries in the AtlasEndangeredPelagic stingray seen from above, swimming over the seabed in clear blue waterPelagic stingrayPteroplatytrygon violaceaSeen in 11 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernBignose shark swimming above deep-sea coral, filmed from a research submersible off North CarolinaBignose sharkCarcharhinus altimusSeen in 11 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedFinetooth sharkCarcharhinus isodonSeen in 9 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedShortnose spurdogSqualus megalopsSeen in 6 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernAmazon river dolphin surfacing in a calm river beside rainforest, with spray at its blowholeAmazon river dolphinInia geoffrensisSeen in 5 countries in the AtlasEndangeredTwo tucuxi surfacing side by side in shallow river water beside a grassy bankTucuxiSotalia fluviatilisSeen in 5 countries in the AtlasEndangeredTwo subantarctic fur seals calling with open mouths on a rocky shoreSubantarctic fur sealArctocephalus tropicalisSeen in 5 countries in the AtlasLeast Concern

Read before you go

Whales and wildlife ethicsIn Brazil, Intentionally Disturbing a Whale Is ProhibitedRead ↗
Dreaming of Brazil?

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