Ilhabela sits astride one of the richest shipwreck diving grounds in Brazil. More than 30 wrecks have been documented around the archipelago, spanning five centuries of maritime history: wooden-hulled colonial vessels that went down in the 1600s and 1700s, iron-hulled steam ships from the 19th century, and more modern casualties. The most frequently dived wrecks are in the channel between the island and the mainland, at depths accessible to recreational divers, but some sites on the exposed eastern side require advanced certification and conditions-dependent access.
Several dive operators work out of the western waterfront, offering guided wreck dives, equipment rental, and PADI courses from beginner to advanced level. The visibility in the channel is typically good, and water temperatures range from around 20°C in winter to 28°C in summer. Beyond the wrecks, the rocky reef systems around the island support rich marine life: sea turtles, moray eels, large grouper, and shoals of reef fish. Snorkelling is possible at several accessible rocky points, but the dive operators will give you better sites and safer conditions for the wreck dives specifically.