Currently, São Paulo has many nautical tourism options: from cruising on the River Tietê to sport fishing on the largest fishing platform in Latin America. What few people know, however, is that the state also offers another curious type of tourism: underwater tourism.
One option is to dive off the coast, of course. But this type of attraction seeks to explore not only corals and fish species, but also submerged cities and even shipwrecks .
By the end of 2024, the São Paulo government has announced that it will invest R$50 million in underwater tourism attractions. In other words, you can expect this type of visit to become more and more famous here, allowing visitors to explore the depths of São Paulo’s rivers. Are you curious? Here are three cities in São Paulo that offer underwater tourism!
Underwater tourism: 3 cities with underwater attractions in São Paulo
Rifaina
The town is 46o kilometers from São Paulo, on the border with Minas Gerais. In 1971, part of the town was flooded to accommodate the Jaguara Dam on the Rio Grande. As a result, divers and underwater tourism enthusiasts visit the town to see its submerged constructions, which range from houses to bridges and potteries.
Itapura
This small town of 5,000 inhabitants is on the border with Mato Grosso do Sul, 670 kilometers from the capital. Bathed by the Tietê River and the Paraná River, it hides two nautical tourism attractions in São Paulo.
In 1968, the Jupiá Hydroelectric Power Station caused the town to be submerged by the waters of the Tietê. Today, it is possible to go diving to visit the ruins underwater, which include houses and even an old small hydroelectric plant, which is practically intact.
Itapura also holds another secret: a shipwreck more than 100 years old! During the Paraguayan War in 1860, Emperor Dom Pedro II bought the military ship Tamandathay, which sank in the Tietê in 1883. It lies at a depth of 20 meters, so tourists can dive down to see the ruins of the Tamandathay up close.
Presidente Epitácio
Finally, we have Presidente Epitácio as an underwater tourism destination, 641 kilometers from São Paulo. The city is on the banks of the Paraná River, on the border with Mato Grosso do Sul, and has diving spots to observe shipwrecks.
In front of the town’s pier are three sunken ships from the 1960s to the 1980s. Made of hardwood, they are up to 15 meters deep, making them an option for more experienced divers.
