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- Chapeirões (mushroom-shaped coral pinnacles) — Giant, vertical coral “mushrooms” that rise from the seabed and create surreal underwater pillars. They’re unusual in the South Atlantic and make for some of the most memorable dives/snorkels in the park (personal favorite — nothing else looks like them underwater).
- Humpback whale nursery — From roughly July to November the park becomes a breeding and calving area for humpbacks; you’ll see adults and playful calves from boats, and often hear whale song on calm mornings. It’s a seasonal must-see and the reason many people plan a trip here.
- Parcel dos Abrolhos reef system — The main reef bank where the best snorkeling and scuba sites sit: coral gardens, lots of reef fish, and clear patches of sand. This is the hard-core underwater show — colorful
- Chapeirões (mushroom-shaped coral pinnacles) — Giant, vertical coral “mushrooms” that rise from the seabed and create surreal underwater pillars. They’re unusual in the South Atlantic and make for some of the most memorable dives/snorkels in the park (personal favorite — nothing else looks like them underwater).
- Humpback whale nursery — From roughly July to November the park becomes a breeding and calving area for humpbacks; you’ll see adults and playful calves from boats, and often hear whale song on calm mornings. It’s a seasonal must-see and the reason many people plan a trip here.
- Parcel dos Abrolhos reef system — The main reef bank where the best snorkeling and scuba sites sit: coral gardens, lots of reef fish, and clear patches of sand. This is the hard-core underwater show — colorful life and easy drift dives if conditions allow.
- Ilha Siriba — The visitor-friendly island with a white sand beach, short walking areas, and great birdwatching right from shore. It’s the typical day-trip stop for swimming, quick hikes, and watching seabirds without needing a full expedition.
- Ilha Santa Bárbara and the old lighthouse — A small, historic island with a lighthouse and a research presence; landings are restricted but it’s worth seeing from a boat for the history and stark island silhouette. The islands’ neat, regulated feel helps protect wildlife.
- Seabird colonies — Large rookeries of boobies, frigatebirds and tropicbirds nesting on the islets; great for photography and audible birdlife. Islands teem with nesting activity in the right season, so bring binoculars and patience.
- Rich marine life beyond corals — Turtles, rays, schooling fish and the occasional larger pelagic pass by; the shallow banks are an aquarium of activity. Even non-divers get rewarded: snorkelers and boaters regularly spot turtles and big schools close to the surface.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.