Alcatrazes Refuge
Refúgio de Vida Silvestre do Arquipélago de Alcatrazes
The Alcatrazes Wildlife Refuge, a federal conservation unit in São Sebastião, São Paulo, offers public visitation through authorized companies and guides, allowing visitors to explore its rich marine and avian biodiversity through boat tours and autonomous diving. It is home to over 1300 species, including endangered ones, and boasts the largest frigate nesting site in the South Atlantic.

📜 Federal conservation unit protecting over 1300 species
🐠 Home to the largest frigate nesting site in the South Atlantic and rich marine life

Why Go

🌊 Explore rich marine and avian biodiversity
🚤 Enjoy boat tours and autonomous diving
🐬 Observe whales, dolphins, marine birds, and sea turtles
🐟 Discover the highest concentration of fish in Southeast Brazil
🤿 Experience good visibility for diving (5-30m)
📍 Choose from 10 designated autonomous diving spots

Activities

🛥️ Visita Embarcada (Boat Tour): Trip to appreciate scenic beauty and biodiversity, offering an immersive experience. Stops for snorkeling, wildlife observation, and photography.
🤿 Mergulho Autônomo (Autonomous Diving): Dives for contemplating the submerged marine environment, free diving or SCUBA. 10 designated spots varying in depth, difficulty, and characteristics.

When to Go

🗓️ Can be visited year-round
☀️ November to May: Generally better climatic and oceanographic conditions for navigation and autonomous diving.
🐳 Year-round: Bryde's whales and various dolphin species can be seen.
🐋 Autumn and Winter: Humpback whales and pelagic marine birds (albatrosses and petrels) are more common.

Why Avoid

🚫 Visitation exclusively through companies and guides authorized by ICMBio.
⚠️ Private vessels must be accompanied by trained and authorized guides.
💰 No explicit pricing or admission fees mentioned.
⏰ No specific daily operating hours provided (only 'any time of the year').
🅿️ No information regarding parking or specific accessibility features.

Managed By

🏛️ Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio)

Tags
naturewildlifemarinedivingsnorkelingboat tourconservationBrazilSão Pauloecotourismbiodiversitybirdsfishturtleswhalesdolphins