Abismo Anhumas
Mergulho de batismo (introductory dive): operator zone [1] [2] (No certification needed; from age 12; maximum 8 m.). Mergulho certificado (certified dive): operator zone [1] [2] [3] (Minimum Open Water certification; limit given as 18 m on some operator pages and 20 m on others.). These categories are the named scheme's own; they describe the training a site calls for.
Lake dives inside a cave reached by a 72 m electric rappel near Bonito, among submerged limestone cones. Two published scuba options: an introductory dive to 8 m and a certified dive to 18 or 20 m.
The dive site is the lake at the foot of the Abismo Anhumas shaft. After the check-in session in Bonito the day before, visitors are lowered 72 m by the operator's electric rappel to a floating deck on the water, from which snorkellers and divers enter the lake.
Divers swim among limestone cones that rise from the lake floor, some of them about 20 m tall according to the operator, and can see the skeleton of an anteater that fell into the cave. The published dives stay in the lake under the entrance shaft; the operator does not advertise cave-penetration or technical diving here.
The operator runs all diving with its own staff and equipment. Visitors who choose the dive cannot also do the snorkelling activity on the same trip.
The environment
A still, very clear freshwater lake in a large cave chamber lit from a small opening far above. The operator gives an average temperature of 18 °C and visibility of up to 60 m. Daylight reaches the water only briefly each day, so much of the lake is in shade.
Conditions
Lake depth varies with the rainy and dry seasons. The operator suggests eating something sweet before entering the water because of the cool temperature. Typical, not current, conditions.
Typical ranges from published sources, not current conditions.
Facilities
Electric rappel lift for two people at a time, floating deck on the lake, all diving and snorkelling equipment supplied, and an office and check-in centre at Rua General Osório 681 in central Bonito.
Every fact on this page, with its source (13)
| Fact | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Certified divers are limited to 18 m on some operator pages and 20 m on others; the 2022 press report also gives 18 m.18 m used here as the more conservative published figure. | Sources conflict | [1] [2] [3] [7] |
| The lake can reach about 80 m deep, varying with the seasons.Operator figure; no survey found. | Reported | [6] [7] |
| Average water temperature is 18 °C. | Reported | [6] [7] |
| Visibility can reach 60 m.Operator maximum. | Reported | [6] |
| Sunlight reaches the lake only for a short part of each day.2021 secondary source. | Reported | [8] |
| The introductory dive needs no certification, starts at age 12 and goes to 8 m; the certified dive requires at least Open Water. | Verified | [1] [2] |
| Certifications such as PADI and NAUI are accepted for the certified dive. | Verified | [3] [7] |
| Choosing the dive means the visitor cannot also do the snorkelling activity; all diving equipment is included. | Verified | [2] |
| Groups are small and time slots are set by the monitor team the day before; a check-in session at the Bonito office the day before includes suit fitting and signing safety terms. | Verified | [4] [5] |
| No cameras or phones are allowed on the descent or ascent except a helmet-mounted GoPro. | Verified | [4] |
| In October 2022 prices were R$ 1,690 for the baptism or Open Water dive, R$ 1,270 for snorkelling and R$ 899 for viewing.Press report dated 2022-10-24; the operator's site shows no prices. | May be out of date | [7] |
| The electric rappel carries two people at a time to a floating deck; the operator's training centre is at Rua General Osório 681, Bonito. | Verified | [4] [5] [1] |
| The operator advises children and divers to eat chocolate before entering the water to help with the temperature. | Verified | [5] |
Verified: stated by an official or primary source we opened. Reported: from a secondary source only. Sources conflict: the note gives both versions. May be out of date: the newest source we found is old.
Written in our own words from the sources above. Report a correction