Bombinhas

Bombinhas occupies a small peninsula of rocky headlands and coves with clearer water than most of the southern Brazilian coast, which made it a diving and snorkelling base - Praia da Sepultura, Lagoinha and Retiro dos Padres have rock and reef close to shore. Offshore lies the Arvoredo marine biological reserve, fully protected and closed to visitors, which is a large part of why the fish are here. The peninsula has one road in and a resident population of a few dozen thousand that multiplies many times over in January, and the municipality charges an environmental fee on entering vehicles through the summer specifically to manage that. Trails cross the headlands between coves.

What you actually see

• Clear-water coves - Sepultura, Lagoinha and Retiro dos Padres.
• Rock and reef close in - snorkelling straight off several beaches.
• The Arvoredo reserve - fully protected water offshore, closed to visitors.
• Headland trails - walking routes between the coves.

When to go

December to March for clarity, though that is also peak season. Three days.

Honest expectations

In January the single access road gridlocks and the beaches are full; the summer vehicle charge is real and applies on entry. Water is cold outside midsummer. Arvoredo cannot be visited - diving happens elsewhere. Parking at the coves is scarce.

Nearby

Porto Belo is at the neck of the peninsula; Balneario Camboriu is north.