Rio Sucuri, Bonito MS: snorkelling from the spring, with no hiking

The Rio Sucuri is the easiest snorkel float in Bonito: a boat takes you up to the spring and you drift back down with the current, with no trail and no effort. It is the one to pick if you are travelling with small children or have little time between activities.

What the Rio Sucuri is

The Rio Sucuri runs through a farm a few kilometres from the centre of Bonito, and it has one distinguishing feature: the activity starts at the spring itself. The water rises out of the limestone, forms a pool of improbable blue and flows on towards the Rio Formoso — and it is that first stretch, before any tributary can cloud it, that visitors cover.

Being short and requiring no walking makes the Sucuri the least demanding float in the area. That does not make it a lesser outing: the density of aquatic plants and fish along the stretch is high, and the sensation is closer to a still aquarium than to a river.

How it works

After the briefing and the change into a wetsuit, the group boards a boat and goes up to the spring. From there everyone gets into the water and floats back down in single file, with the guide in front. The route is short and entirely with the current, and you come out at the farmhouse itself.

The golden rule is the same as on any float around Bonito: do not stand on the bottom. The bed is soft, and the sediment lifted by one foot rises in a cloud that wipes out visibility for the whole group for several minutes.

Who this one works best for

• Families with small children: no trail, no effort and a short time in the water.
• Anyone with half a day free who wants to fit in an attraction without losing the rest of the day.
• First-timers who want to test the sensation before committing to a long route.
• Anyone who would rather watch aquatic plants and fish than cover distance.

When to go

Because it rises right there and travels a short distance before the entry point, the Sucuri is one of the least rain-sensitive rivers in the region: it clouds less and clears faster than rivers with longer courses. Even so, after heavy storms visibility drops. The dry season, May to September, remains the most stable — with the trade-off of cold: on winter mornings the wetsuit stops being a comfort and becomes a necessity.

What to bring

• Swimwear already worn under your clothes.
• A towel and a dry change.
• Footwear that can get wet.
• A sealed waterproof case for your phone, on a lanyard.
• Sunscreen and repellent applied before you reach the river.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take?

It is a half-day activity once you count reception, changing, the boat, the float and the return. The time actually in the water is the smallest part of that.

Is the water cold?

Spring water is cool all year and feels cold above all on winter mornings. The wetsuit solves it; the discomfort usually lasts the first few minutes.

Can I do the Sucuri and the Rio da Prata on the same day?

Technically yes, if the times line up, but it rarely pays off: two floats in a row and the second one loses its charm. Spreading them over different days and alternating with a cave, a waterfall or a river beach works much better.

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