Caverna da Freira
Ilha Grande · Brazil
A granite cavern system on the northwestern coast of Ilha Grande where light plays through cracks in the rock to illuminate colonies of encrusting red and purple sponges. The cavern ceiling hosts a dense population of glass shrimp and the entrance is frequented by green turtles resting on the sandy bottom.
Conditions
Depth
5 to 18 m
Good for beginners
Current
Usually still
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
12 to 20 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
20 to 27°C
5mm full suit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| Vis (m) | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Current | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Green Sea Turtle
Last confirmed Apr 15, 2026 · 32 records
Very likely
Most dives
Sergeant Major
Last confirmed Jul 6, 2026 · 19 records
Very likely
Most dives
Cushion Sea Star
Last confirmed Jun 4, 2026 · 21 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Longsnout Seahorse
Last confirmed Jan 4, 2026 · 7 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Glass Shrimp
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Red Encrusting Sponge
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Purple Sponge
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Yellowhead Jawfish
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Gear