Ilhas dos Currais Marine National Park

Ilhas dos Currais Marine Overview

Ilhas dos Currais Marine National Park, or Parque Nacional Marinho das Ilhas dos Currais in Portuguese, is a small yet ecologically significant protected area located off the coast of Paraná in southern Brazil.

Encompassing approximately 1.3 square miles (3.4 square kilometers), the park consists of three main rocky islets—Currais, Três Irmãs, and Parcel—that rise from the South Atlantic Ocean.

These islands lie about 6 miles (10 kilometers) offshore from the coastal city of Pontal do Paraná. Though compact in size, the park plays an essential role in marine biodiversity conservation and serves as a critical refuge for birdlife and marine organisms.

The terrain of the park is primarily composed of steep, rocky outcrops that contrast dramatically with the surrounding ocean. These jagged islands are uninhabited and mostly devoid of large vegetation due to their harsh, windswept environment and exposure to saline conditions. However, patches of salt-tolerant grasses and low-lying shrubs do grow in crevices where soil and moisture accumulate.

Underwater, the surrounding marine environment is vibrant and diverse, with rocky reefs and sandy seabeds that support various species of fish, corals, and invertebrates. The currents and water quality around the islands help sustain a thriving underwater ecosystem.

Wildlife is one of the most notable features of Ilhas dos Currais. The park is an essential nesting site for several seabird species, especially the South American tern and brown booby. These birds arrive in large numbers during the breeding season, making the islands one of the most important bird nesting sites in southern Brazil.

The surrounding waters also provide habitat for green sea turtles, which can occasionally be seen swimming near the reefs. Dolphins and whales have been spotted in the broader region during migration periods, adding to the park’s appeal for wildlife enthusiasts and marine researchers. Schools of colorful reef fish such as sergeant majors, parrotfish, and angelfish fill the clear waters, while octopuses and crustaceans find shelter among the rocky crevices.

Among the park’s most popular features is its outstanding opportunity for snorkeling and scuba diving. The crystal-clear waters and marine biodiversity attract divers who explore the reefs and observe marine life in its natural habitat.

Birdwatchers and marine biologists also frequent the park due to the high concentration of nesting seabirds and its status as a marine research area. While access to the islets themselves is restricted to protect sensitive habitats, guided boat tours provide educational and sightseeing experiences that allow visitors to appreciate the park’s natural beauty without disturbing the ecosystem.

Visitors experience the park mainly by sea, using chartered boats or organized tours departing from coastal towns such as Pontal do Paraná. These trips often include opportunities for snorkeling, underwater photography, and birdwatching. Because the islands are not open for recreational landing, the focus remains on low-impact marine observation.

Conservation remains a priority for park management, as the area is highly sensitive to human disturbance. The park was created in 2013 to protect its unique marine and avian habitats. Management efforts include strict regulation of fishing activities, limitations on tourism, and ongoing scientific monitoring.

Despite these protections, challenges persist, particularly concerning illegal fishing and pollution drifting in from the mainland. However, the designation of the park has led to increased awareness and local engagement, with community and academic partnerships playing a growing role in its stewardship.

Park Map

Ilhas dos Currais Marine National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Ilhas dos Currais Marine National Park, located off the coast of Paraná in southern Brazil, is a small yet ecologically vital marine reserve. It protects three rocky islands and surrounding ocean waters that serve as critical habitat for nesting seabirds, marine mammals, and coastal marine life. Though the park is small in area, its biodiversity is rich and unique to the subtropical Atlantic coast.

South American Fur Seal
This agile swimmer is occasionally seen resting on the park’s rocky shores. Fur seals use the islands as haul-out sites, and while not resident year-round, their presence reflects the health of nearby marine ecosystems.

Common Bottlenose Dolphin
Highly intelligent and social, bottlenose dolphins often swim through the park’s waters in pods. They feed on fish and squid and can sometimes be seen leaping near boats or riding the waves.

Green Sea Turtle
These endangered turtles are frequent visitors to the marine area around the islands. They feed on seagrasses and algae and are occasionally spotted surfacing for air near the rocky reefs.

Southern Right Whale
This massive baleen whale migrates along Brazil’s southern coast during the winter months and may pass near the park’s waters. Their slow movements and frequent surfacing make them visible when present.

Francois’ Anemone Crab
Living in symbiosis with sea anemones on the ocean floor, this small crustacean uses the anemone’s tentacles for protection while scavenging for food in the shallow reef areas.

Brazilian Cownose Ray
Gliding through the water in schools, these rays are a striking presence in the shallow seas near the islands. They feed on mollusks and crustaceans and are known for their gentle nature.

South American Sea Lion
Occasionally seen basking on rocks or swimming near the islands, these large pinnipeds are powerful marine predators that feed on fish and squid. They are more common during colder seasons.

Atlantic Goliath Grouper
This massive reef fish can grow to impressive sizes and is occasionally found near submerged rocky structures. It feeds on crustaceans and smaller fish and is a key predator in reef ecosystems.

Octopus vulgaris (Common Octopus)
A master of camouflage and intelligence, this octopus inhabits the rocky crevices and reefs around the islands. It hunts at night and uses tools to manipulate its environment.

Moray Eel
These reclusive eels dwell in rocky crevices and are rarely seen unless disturbed. With their sharp teeth and serpentine motion, they are efficient nocturnal predators.

Birds

Ilhas dos Currais is primarily known as a crucial seabird nesting sanctuary. The rocky islets provide rare, predator-free breeding grounds for several species of marine birds, many of which are threatened or have limited nesting areas along Brazil’s southern coast.

South American Tern
This slender seabird breeds in large colonies on the rocky islands. It has a graceful flight and a sharp call, diving expertly into the sea to catch small fish.

Brown Booby
With its bold white underside and chocolate-brown upperparts, the brown booby nests on the island’s cliffs and is often seen gliding over the ocean or plunge-diving for fish.

Kelp Gull
A common but important predator and scavenger, the kelp gull nests in loose colonies and patrols both land and sea, feeding on fish, invertebrates, and seabird eggs if unguarded.

Magnificent Frigatebird
This aerial acrobat is often seen soaring high above the islands, rarely landing except to breed. Males display large red throat pouches during courtship to attract females.

Royal Tern
A striking tern with a spiky crest and bright orange bill, the royal tern fishes by plunge-diving and often roosts in mixed colonies on the islands during nesting season.

Neotropic Cormorant
Often perched on rocky ledges with wings outstretched to dry, this sleek black bird dives underwater to catch fish and is a common sight along the island’s shores.

White-cheeked Pintail (occasional visitor)
Though more common in coastal lagoons, this dabbling duck is occasionally observed in calmer waters near the islands, feeding on aquatic vegetation and invertebrates.

Sooty Tern (migrant)
These oceanic wanderers sometimes visit the area in large flocks, especially during migration. They are agile flyers that remain airborne for long periods over open seas.

Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon)
Though not native to the marine ecosystem, feral pigeons have established limited presence on some rocky ledges, competing for nesting sites with native birds.

Masked Booby (rare visitor)
Occasionally seen resting or flying near the islands, this large booby species with stark white plumage and black wingtips is a rare but exciting sighting for seabird enthusiasts.