Parcel do Brilhante

The name Parcel do Brilhante comes from the submerged top, which sparkles in the sun on clear-water days when boats pass over it. Finding the parcel is hard without the help of someone who knows the area, precise GPS coordinates and a good depth sounder. Some large fish tend to rest around the parcel, and marine life is abundant, with many passing fish.

The parcel is part of the Laje de Santos State Marine Park, the first marine park in the state of São Paulo, created by Decree 37,537 of 27 September 1993. With no other islands or rock formations nearby, the park's rocks gather many marine species, which find shelter, breeding grounds and food there. In the park area, large schools of pelagic fish, such as bonito and sardines, feed and breed. Dives in the park also reveal resident and passing schools, crustaceans, sponges, molluscs, corals and turtles.

The manta ray is the park's symbol animal. With a wingspan of up to 5 m, manta rays tend to gather in the park during winter, probably to breed. In the park, they tend to be seen most often between May and August. The park's water averages close to 22 °C and can reach 27 °C from mid-January until the arrival of autumn.