bay · Barão de Melgaço, MT
Baía de Chacororé
One of the largest bays in the Pantanal, linked to the Cuiabá River by corixos (natural channels) and fed by streams flowing down from the plateau. It is a fish nursery and supports dozens of riverside communities.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Baía de Chacororé
Baía de Chacororé is in Barão de Melgaço, in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso. It is one of the largest bays in the Pantanal: a vast sheet of shallow water next to Baía de Siá Mariana, in the Cuiabá River region.
The bay is linked to the Cuiabá River by corixos, narrow natural channels through which water and fish pass. It also receives streams, such as the Cupim and the Água Branca, which rise on the plateau and flow down through the hills to the bay. Another channel, the corixo do Mato, links Chacororé to Siá Mariana.
It is a fish nursery. As the water rises, fish move from the river into the bay to breed; as it recedes, they return to the river. Fishing supports traditional riverside communities living around it.
For visitors, the experience is a boat trip across a huge expanse of water, with water hyacinths and hills on the horizon. The water level changes a lot between the high-water and dry seasons, and from one year to the next, which affects the trips. In severe droughts, parts of the bay dry out.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
Allow a few hours: the boat crossing alone from area pousadas can take about an hour.
Best time
In the high-water season the bay is full and the channels let boats through; in the dry season the water recedes and some stretches become shallow or dry. Check conditions with your pousada or boatman before you go.
How to get there
It is in the municipality of Barão de Melgaço, south of Cuiabá, about a two-hour drive from the state capital. The bay is reached by boat from Pantanal pousadas (guesthouses) in the area; from the Mutum River, the crossing takes about an hour and passes through Baía de Siá Mariana.
Tip
Go with a local boatman or guide: navigation depends on the channels and the water level, which changes a lot throughout the year.
A look at the place
Baía de Chacororé in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Baía de Chacororé
How do I get to Baía de Chacororé?
By boat, from Pantanal pousadas (guesthouses) in Barão de Melgaço. From the Mutum River, for example, the crossing takes about an hour.
Is it far from Cuiabá?
Barão de Melgaço is about a two-hour drive from Cuiabá. From the town or your pousada, you still need to continue by boat to the bay.
Do I need a guide?
It is recommended to go with a local boatman or guide, because navigation depends on the channels and the water level.
What is the best time to go?
In the high-water season the bay is full and navigable. In the dry season the water recedes and some stretches get shallow. Check conditions before you go.
Can you fish in the bay?
The bay is a traditional fishing area for riverside communities. Fishing follows Mato Grosso rules, with restrictions during the piracema (spawning season); check the current regulations before you go.