Aquário Natural, Bonito MS: snorkelling at the source of the Baía Bonita

The Aquário Natural sits at the source of the Baía Bonita river, minutes from Bonito. It is the most structured and the shortest float in the region, with a raised forest walkway and a practice area — the one to book if you have never worn a mask.

What the Aquário Natural is

The Aquário Natural is a private reserve minutes from the centre of Bonito, built around the spring of the Baía Bonita river. The name describes the place well: the water surfaces from the limestone into a shallow, transparent pool, and the concentration of fish along that first stretch is the highest of any float in the region.

It is also the shortest float. The route in the water covers a few hundred metres to an exit point, and everything around it — the raised walkway, the changing rooms, the practice area — was designed for people who have never done anything like it.

Why it is the best first float

Before entering the river, visitors pass through a shallow practice area where they try the mask and snorkel with their feet on the bottom. For anyone who has never breathed through a snorkel, those minutes change the whole activity: most of the discomfort in the water comes from not knowing what to expect from the equipment.

Combined with the short route and easy access, that makes the Aquário Natural the natural choice for a first day in Bonito — including as a test before booking a long float such as the Rio da Prata.

What else the reserve holds

• A raised walkway over the riparian forest, with interpretive stops.
• A viewing area at the spring itself, where the water surfaces.
• An enclosure with regional wildlife, focused on environmental education.
• Full support facilities: changing rooms, lockers and a rest area.

Your first time with a mask and snorkel

Two things usually go wrong on a first attempt, and both are fixed before you enter the river. The first is a badly fitted mask: it has to seal without pinching, and hair trapped between the silicone and your forehead is the commonest cause of leaks. The second is breathing through your nose out of instinct, which fogs the mask and floods the snorkel.

The shallow practice area exists exactly for this. Breathing a few times with your face in the water, somewhere your feet touch the bottom, removes almost all of the discomfort.

When to go

Being practically at the spring, the Aquário Natural is one of the most stable places in the region: it clouds little and clears fast after rain. That makes it a good alternative on an unsettled day, when other floats are compromised. The water is cool all year and a wetsuit is part of the package.

Frequently asked questions

Is it good for children?

It is one of the best in the region on that count: a short route, shallow water, practice beforehand and an easy walk. Respect the operator minimum age.

Is it worth doing if I am already booked on the Rio da Prata?

Yes if you have never snorkelled — as preparation, on a different day. If you have and your schedule is tight, the experience is similar and the Prata offers more route.

Can someone in the group stay out of the water?

The raised walkway and the spring area work on their own, so a non-swimmer has something to do. Check with the operator how that is charged and organised.

Written by: Adriano Habermann Last updated: September 13, 2026