The beginning of a passion
How did it get started
Reinaldo Lopes Moreira
In November 2002, I was on vacation in Nova Viçosa / BA, and decided to take a tour in an island around. Among the options we could find Abrolhos (competing to Barra Velha and Coroa Vermelha – and other boat / motorboat tours options – of that city).
On November 24th 2002, at 06.30 a.m., I was in Costa Azul Tourism Agency, where the motorboat usually leaves for the tour to the Isle. The weather was cloudy, with lots of clouds and no sign of the sun. I was very excited about the possibility of finding a whale around. The lack of sun didn’t bother me. The Jubarte whales come to Abrolhos from July to November every year to procreate.
We left Nova Viçosa about 06.45 a.m. It was included a beautiful ride to Caravelas through the Peruíbe River. We could see there the a mangrove area, and beautiful sights. No sign of the sun while traveling. We left Caravelas around 07.40 a.m. toward to the Isle. Two hours later, we could see the Isle, far away, and the expectation was rising and the sun was coming up.
Arriving to the Isle, the first signs of Abrolhos beauty were: a beautiful shoal of “Budiões” was swimming next to our motorboat. It was a perfect match: strong sun, clean and crystal clear waters, and the several fish to help the sightseeing! A new passion was coming up!
An employee from the National Park came to the motorboat to make a speech. He spoke about the importance of preserving the nature in Abrolhos. Next, we left by float-boat to make a photo safari in the Siriba Island. We could see the Atobás next to us and could also know a little more about Abrolhos. Landing on the Island, we were shocked with the Atobás (birds that live in Abrolhos). They aren’t afraid of tourists, they come closer, allowing us to take nice photos, even people who aren’t expert in photo cameras.
After exploring the Siriba Island, it was about the time to dive into the crystal and clean Abrolhos waters. It was a very expected moment to everyone of us. When we fell into the water, the surprises didn’t stop to come up: there were several beautiful fish, one more beautiful than the other, with several shoals of different colors and sizes; the reefs – majestic in those clear and hot waters – endemics of this region. That means they only exist in Abrolhos: Millespora brasiliensis, Mussimilia brasiliensis (popularly known as brain-reef), M. hartii, M. hispidad, and so on.
After 4 hours diving into Abrolhos waters, we had to return to Nova Viçosa. But we were totally revived, with nice photos and incredible images which are kept in our memories nowadays, besides the certainty that there is a GOD – and he’s Brazilian!
With such beauty, we forgot about the Jubarte whales, which had left to the cold Antarctica waters. But next time, they will be present, for sure, to shine our extraordinary tour!
Reinaldo Lopes Moreira
Creator of Abrolhos Isle site
