Mar Do Rio

As the largest dive school and operator in Rio de Janeiro — and one of the biggest in Brazil — Mar do Rio has been introducing divers to the water for more than 15 years. This is a PADI 5 Star IDC centre backed by a team of 10 PADI instructors, the kind of depth that lets it cover everything from a first breath underwater to technical diving with Nitrox and Trimix.

Courses and dives on Rio's doorstep

Whether you're chasing your PADI Open Water Diver certification or just want a Half-Day Dive Trip from USD 75, there's a route in. The waterfront base comes with a house reef, an onsite training pool and classroom, a dive boat and a retail shop, so learners and returning divers alike are well looked after.

Beneath the surface you might cross paths with sharks, whales, turtles and plenty of ocean fish. With weekend and holiday outings to the city's best sites, plus trips further afield, Mar do Rio suits anyone keen to learn, specialise or simply get back in the water. Portuguese is spoken throughout.