Snorkeling at Rio da Prata # 256 Brazil
Channel: DavidTinMotion
Date: 2014-02-02

Bonito, ville phare de l'écotourisme au Brésil. 
La nature environnante est réputée extraordinaire, et en effet, beaucoup d'activités sont à faire... 
Les deux excursions les plus mémorables sont le snorkeling dans les eaux cristallines du Rio Sucuri et du Rio da Prata. 
Toutes les excursions doivent être guidées et le nombre de visiteurs, pour chaque activité, est limité par jour, de façon à protéger le site.

Issues d'un relief karstique souterrain les eaux cristallines de ces rivières sont fortement minéralisées et leurs donnent cette magnifique couleur azur. 
Ces rivières s'apparentent à des piscines naturelles remplies de poissons exotiques.
Les eaux limpides de ces rivières sont le résultat d'un heureux concours de circonstances: les rivières jaillissent de sources souterraines dans des couches calcaires qui libèrent du carbonate de calcium dans l'eau ; ce dernier calcifie toutes les impuretés qui se déposent sur le lit des cours d'eau. La région compte ainsi un grand nombre d'aquariums naturels bordés de forêts luxuriantes ; un environement d'exception pour étudier les poissons d'eau douce.

Recanto Ecologico Rio da Prata
Type: Nature/ Wildlife Areas, Aquariums
Owner description: The ecotourism operation at Recanto Ecológico Rio da Prata follows the principles for sustainability. The tour is developed within a RPPN -- Private Reserve of Natural Heritage. Elected the Best Tourist Attraction of Brazil in 2008 and 2009 by readers of Brazil's most respected Travel Guide -- Guia 4 Rodas, the ranch also received awards for its environmental projects and social responsibility.

The marvelous Rio da Prata, 56km south of Bonito, includes a trek through rainforest and some great snorkeling. The latter involves a 3km float downstream along the Rio Olha d'Agua, amazingly crystal clear and full of fish; and Rio da Prata, a little foggier but still fantastic for viewing massive pacu and big, scary dourado.

If you only do one thing in Bonito, you could do a lot worse than taking the morning to the visit the Rio da Prata in Bonito. After a short trek through some woodland, which in itself is pleasant enough to merit a visit and contains one of the most picturesque waterfalls you're ever likely to see, you'll be treated to a 3km float down the crystal clear waters of the Rio Olha d'Agua and the Rio da Prata.

Between them they contain between them 55 colourful species of fish but even without the wildlife the underwater landscape is pretty stunning. It's amazing how clear the river is; due to natural filtration provided by limestone it's as clear as any artificial swimming pool. Possibly even clearer, in fact, as the high quality of sunlight really helps to highlight the colours and contrasts beneath the surface. Forget everything else, I could have spent hours just watching the rainbows ripple over the riverbed as I drifted peacefully along.

 
The tour starts with a trail through the gallery forest of the Rio da Prata (Prata river). Along the way, amidst the rich flora, it is possible to observe exotic birds, monkeys, tapir and other wild animals. 

The trail leads to the main spring of Olho d'Água River where the snorkeling tour begins and where you will experience the sensation of floating in an immense aquarium of crystalline waters. 

You will float downstream until the meeting point at the end of the tour while you enjoy the sight of dozens of different species of fish and aquatic plants... 

To ensure quality, safety and respect for nature, the groups are limited to a maximum of nine visitors and are always accompanied by a specialized, local guide.  The tour lasts approximately 3 hous and 30 minutes.

No Recanto Ecológico Rio da Prata, uma suave correnteza leva os visitantes calmamente por um passeio em um mundo subaquático fantástico, habitado por dezenas de espécias de peixes e plantas aquáticas.

Você se verá cercado por diversas espécies de peixes do Pantanal, como piraputangas, dourados, curimbatás, pintados, pacus, piaus, matogrossinhos, entre outros. Além de observar outras espécies de animais e aves, como o Biguatinga, Socó-boi, Acauã, Periquito-da-Serra. No Recanto Ecológico Rio da Prata existem 200 espécies de aves registradas.

As flutuações e os mergulhos scuba dive de Bonito e Jardim (MS) são imperdíveis e impressionam pela transparência das águas e pela rica biodiversidade do Pantanal.