Diving with Anacondas

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Welcome to Adventure Fix, the newsletter that helps you discover extraordinary journeys and experiences across the globe.

Today, we’re heading to Bonito, Brazil to dive with one of the largest snakes on the planet - the Green Anaconda.

Diving with Anacondas

Getting in the water with a massive predator isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but we see the value in facing the unknown and coming face to face with the world’s misunderstood creatures.

There’s something magical that happens when the fear fades and you can begin to appreciate the power and beauty of these animals.

These massive reptiles are pretty sluggish on land but when they slither into the river, they become stealthy and sleek.

Divers from all over travel to the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul to get up close to these giants in crystal clear rivers.

So, why bother getting into the water when you can spot anacondas on land?

While it’s possible to get a glimpse of one on the shores of a river bank, most of their time is spent in the water hunting. It’s also where they are the most active, making encounters much more interesting.

Green anacondas prey on a variety of animals including fish, birds, tapirs, wild pigs, capybaras, and caimans. They’ve even been known to eat jaguars.

You might be wondering how safe it is to get in the water with a snake that’s as thick as a tree trunk and powerful enough to squeeze the life from a human.

While that sure sounds scary, divers don’t need fear, anacondas are not aggressive and violent man-eaters. Like most predators, they didn’t evolve to eat humans, so luckily we aren’t part of the food chain.

In fact, these giant serpents are calm and peaceful around divers.

Explore More

• Diving with the Largest Snake on the Planet (video)

• Scuba Diving with the Most Terrifying Creatures in Brazil's Amazon River (article)

How to Dive with Anacondas

Despite being as long as a school bus, anacondas are tricky to spot. Local experts look for signs and patterns that will lead them to these snakes.

The best way to see them is to go on an organized tour with specialists. Some good options are Big Fish Expeditions, SDM Adventures, and Saga Expeditions.

A great way to extend this trip and explore more of Brazil is to combine it with searching for jaguars in the Pantanal.