Fernando de Noronha is one of the most beautiful places of the Earth with wonderful beaches to visit. It belongs to the Pernambuco’s state and it is located 545 km from Recife (Pernambuco's capital) and 345 km far from Natal (Rio Grande do Norte's capital).
Seen from up above, the so called “Esmeralda do Atlântico” (Atlantic Emerald) shows all visitors a gorgeous blue-greenish sea that takes your breath away.
Natural World Patrimony (UNESCO, 2001), Fernando de Noronha is an ecological sanctuary formed by 21 islands, islets and crags of volcanic origin that shelter hundreds of fauna and flora species under the protection of the Marine National Park (IBAMA, 1988), which regulates the visit to the island as well as environmental projects and scientific researchs.
There are lots of things to do in Fernando de Noronha: you can explore many of the 16 gorgeous beaches where dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, skate fishes and colorful fishes shoals are found frequently as well as spending time visiting historical constructions.
Ideal place for those who likes hiking, to photograph, to dive, to surf, or simply, to relax with sea waves sounds, in its natural aquariums, waiting a fantastic Fernando de Noronha's sunshine.
Attractions
Beaches: the most exciting thing about Fernando de Noronha is that all the beaches of the island are incredibly beautiful with crystal clear waters. The landscape is formed by huge rocks, nice vegetation, natural swimming pools and rich fauna. Fernando de Noronha is a place you find peace and quiet as well as ecotourism adventure!
Learn more about what you will find there:
Leão (“Lion”) Beach: it is one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil. It has a rock in the shape of a sea lion. Right in front of the beach visitors can see the Viuvinha (Little Widow) rock; a small island covered with bird nests. This beach is also the main spot for sea turtles to lay eggs. That is why the beach is closed between January and June, from late afternoon to early morning.
Southeast Bay: it shows a peculiar characteristic in terms of oceanic islands: it has a salt marsh area. The sea is nice and quiet. On the left side of the beach visitors will find the ruins of São Joaquim de Sudeste Fortress.
Atalaia: local coral reefs form natural aquariums with rich sea life. Access to the beach is limited to a small number of people each day. It is necessary that visitors ask for a special permission at Visitors Center in the National Park.
Buraco da Raquel (Cliffy Cavity): it offers natural pools along rock formations. This is a place for contemplation. Swimming is not allowed.
Santo Antônio Bay: the bay forms a natural port, where small ships can anchor, including those used for sightseeing tours. The bay also has a shipwreck that attracts many divers.
Cachorro (Dog’s) Beach: it is located close to the Remédios Fortress. Landscape is formed by coral reefs.
Conceição Beach: this beach is very popular among surfers during high tide. During low tide, the waters are calm and perfect for swimming. The place is much appreciated for those who like to walk along the beach.
Boldró Beach: it also offers good waves for surfing during high tide. At the sea cliff, visitors will find the ruins of the São Pedro do Boldró Fortress, which are used as a belvedere.
Padre Cliff: this is one of the largest beaches in the island (1 km long). During summer it offers excellent waves for surfing (up to 5 meters high). It is surrounded by native forest.
Porcos Bay: the landscape is formed by many rocks and a sand stretch. A natural aquarium with colorful fish is a great attraction. Tourists can visit two huge rocks called "Dois Irmãos" (Two Brothers). The highest one holds the ruins of the São João Batista Fortress, offering a beautiful view of the turquoise waters and the cliffs. This peculiar scenery has led some people to consider Porcos Bay as the most beautiful beach in Brazil. Access to the beach is available through trails.
Sancho Bay: in terms of beauty, it rivals the neighboring Porcos Bay’s beach. It is excellent for free diving practice, and offers good visibility and diversity of marine fauna at it is shallow. From the cliffs, visitors face one of the most beautiful views in Fernando de Noronha. This beach is also a point for sea turtles spawning their eggs, and so the access is restrict from January until June, from late afternoon to the early morning.
 Boat tours: this is the favorite tourist attraction. Boats sailing along the Inside Sea, offer views of the beaches from the main island of Fernando de Noronha and also from the small islands surrounding it. In a lucky day, visitors may see dolphins swimming close to the boat. At Sancho Bay boats halt, so visitors can go on a free diving spree.
The Sea Trip will be in fishing boats, traveling to the east side of the island. The departure will be from Santo Antonio's Port with destination, firstly, to the secondary islands, for observation of sea bird’s nests and the rock formations. Continuing the sailing on the side of the island where the sea is calm, known as inside sea (Mar-de-Dentro), people will pass in front of nine beaches at Dolphins Bay where, with luck, you may see they jumping in front of the boats . A stop for a sea bathing will be at the Sancho Bay. The trip is about 3.5 hours. Tourists will return to the Port with mini buses with air conditioning.
Buggy tours: hoodless buggies are the most used vehicles in Fernando de Noronha. They are used as taxis or for tours around the island. Drivers, usually local inhabitants, may act as tour guides and may take visitors to the most beautiful places and to the least known corners as well.
 Diving at Fernando de Noronha: the Fernando de Noronha archipelago is one of the best places in the world for diving. The island's crystalline waters, with 50 meters visibility hosts many fish species, skate fish, sharks, turtles, eels, barracudas, dolphins, sponges and algae, including also rocky formations, coral reefs and shipwrecks. Don’t miss the untouchable, unforgettable and incomparable beauties of one of the best points of diving in the world.
Even those who haven’t any experience in diving can experiment the thrilling sensation of observing the local sea fauna in their natural habitat. At seashore of the beaches of Atalaia and Sancho Bay and at the natural aquariums formed by rocks at Porcos Bay, it is possible to see a wide range of colored fish.
Diving fees can change according to the time of the year. Divers must also pay for a special fee established by the government protection agency, IBAMA. Diving operators installed on the island supply transportation and all necessary diving equipment. For accredited divers, local operators offer a wide range of courses, but anticipated booking is recommended.
Main diving points:
Shipwrecks
At 64 meters deep, the Ipiranga war ship is considered the most preserved shipwreck in Brazil. The Greek ship "Eliane Estatatus" is under Sto. Antônio Bay, near the local port, at an 8 meter depth. Since it is quite close to the seashore, visitors can swim to visit it.
The Dois Irmãos Slab
It is close to the Dois Irmãos cliff, in front of Porcos Bay. Diving there goes between 8 and 15 meters deep.
Cabeço do Sapata Cliff
Huge rocky wall that reaches 40 meters deep into the ocean.
Pedras Secas Cliff
Set rocks that extend from sea surface down to 15 meters depth. The localization offers an excellent visibility.
Frade Island
A depth of 20 meters. It is located in front of Atalaia’s beach.
Meio Island
Grouts and caverns at a depth of 15 meters.
The Northern Point of Land
Huge cliff where diving reaches a depth of 42 meters.
Dolphins observation: “Rotator” dolphins may be seen from the belvedere looking over "Baía do Golfinhos" (Dolphins Bay). There, they feed and reproduce. The best hour for observations is during the first hours of the day.
Historical Hiking: the tour goes to the historical Noronha Ranch, passing through the first Village built in the island, the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Village. At this place you will visit the church with the same name, São Miguel Palace, museum and ruins of old fortifications. After visiting the historical part tourists will walk passing through Cachorro, Meio and Conceição Beaches, the last one is your stop for a sea bathing. It will last about 03 hours. So the tour can be accomplished in one morning or in one afternoon. There are rides in mini buses with air conditioning in the beginning and at the end of the tour.
Surfing: 2 meters high waves with peaks up to five meters high, such as at Cacimba, Boldró, Ruro and Abrás Slabs, are sought by surfers from all over the world, especially from November till April. Some stages of the National Surf Championship are held on Fernando de Noronha.
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