The sheltered bay around Angra dos Reis has good visibility and a variety of dive sites suited to different levels. Wrecks are one of the highlights: the Recife artificial reef and several sunken vessels attract schools of fish and make for interesting dives even at shallow depths. For snorkellers, spots around Ilha da Gipóia and the smaller islands off the coast have accessible coral and marine life without requiring a boat ticket to Ilha Grande.
Several dive operators based at the Angra marina offer half-day and full-day trips. The water is warmest and visibility best between November and March, though diving is possible year-round.