Snorkel in the Pantanal
The Pantanal is the world’s largest wetland, a 640,000 square kilometre compression in the earth and one of the richest areas of biodiversity on the planet. People come here to see birds and animals, hike, and explore. Anyone who finds themselves within 100 miles of Rio da Prata should make the drive to this eco-ranch. Here you’ll find a tributary, as clear as glass and filtered by the earth. Donning wetsuits and a snorkel, hop into the water, raise your legs, and flow gently with the current amidst thousands of incredible freshwater fish.
Length of Trip : About 4 hours
Cost :
Reservations for snorkelling must be made in advance through local tour operators in Jardim or the region's eco-tourism capital of Bonito. Ticket includes accident insurance, mask and snorkel, neoprene boots and suit and lifejacket. Starts at about US$80 per person.
Best time to go : Open year-round.
Wheelchair friendly : Contact the operator to make arrangements if possible.
Family friendly : Ages 8 and up, although younger kids can do a special tour in a local spring.
Where to eat :
A delicious buffet is available on-site post snorkel!
Official Site :
Rio da Prata
Where to Stay :
I had a terrific stay at the Zagaia Eco Resort in Bonito.
Getting There :
From Bonito:: Exit the city by the road MS178/MS382, take the road MS 178 for 50 km until you reach the BR 267, turn left, towards Jardim, drive for a further 2 km (1 mi) and enter into the sign for Recanto Ecológico Rio da Prata.
From Jardim: Take the road BR 267 to the city of Porto Murtinho, drive for 36 km, until the sign for Recanto Ecológico Rio da Prata.
Tour operators will arrange transportation from Jardim or Bonito as part of your package.
Note from Robin :
Sunscreens and/or mosquito repellents cannot be used in most of the tours, to avoid water contamination. That's OK, you're underwater and covered most of the time. Kicking is not allowed as it stirs up sediment which impacts visibility. Guides are friendly and well trained, and groups are limited in size so that traffic remains at a minimum. The water has a constant temperature year round of 24°C. After three hours, you join up with the main river, where visibility deteriorates considerably, and a truck is waiting to return you back to base (which also serves up an excellent buffet). Rio da Prata is located on a cattle farm that now receives 80% of its income from tourism. Blessed with this incredible natural resource, it shows that eco-tourism can be just as attractive as agriculture. Especially in a region as diverse as the Pantanal.
