FACTS ABOUT FERNANDO DE NORONHA: The archipelago of Fernando de Noronha Islands is located off shore, approx 350km from Natal and 540km from Recife. The area belongs and is administrated by the State of Pernambuco and its capital Recife. Today lives approx 2.100 people on the island and numbers of visitors is strongly controlled by IBAMA, local environment authority.

HOW IS FERNANDO DE NORONHA: The blue Atlantic Ocean and the volcanic formed hills, make the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha to one of the most beautiful landscapes in Brazil. The archipelago's good environmental conditions have called the attention of environmentalists from the whole planet, so much so that the islands were granted the title of World Heritage of Humanity, granted by Unesco, in 2002.

The Archipelago was visited for the first time around the year 1503, by Americo Vespuccio. It was invaded by French and Dutchmen, until the Portuguese, at last, took possession of it. Many historical sites show traces of these last colonizers: Vila dos Remédios, Vila da Quixaba, Parque de Sant'Ana and the ruins of the São Pedro do Boldró, Sto. Antônio, and N.Sª da Conceição Fortresses.

Fernando de Noronha has a population of 2.100,and lies 360km from Natal. The 21 islands of the archipelago cover a total area of only 26 square kilometers. With its crystal-clear water (visibility to 50m deepness & average water temperature of 25°C) and rich marine life, the archipelago is a heavenly retreat for underwater pleasures – one of the best places for diving on this planet.

The “Pico” hill, the highest point on the main island, is only 321 meters above sea level, it is well over 4300 meters above the ocean floor, as the island is an extinct volcanic cone. The island-mountain is part of the mid-Atlantic ridge, an underwater mountain chain which is over 15,000km long. The islands beaches are clean, beautiful and almost deserted. There are many natural formed swimming pools and beautiful & shallow beaches, like Atalaia Beach and Sancho Bay, where you can observe the marine life and lots of colorful fish. You can get to the Sancho bay either by boat or by following a trail which leads through bramble and bush, past almond trees and over sharp rocks. Once at Baía do Sancho, you may be lucky enough to witness an odd metrological phenomenon: without a cloud in sight, rain falls mysteriously on a spot of land 10 meters wide. Cacimba do Padre beach is the only one with fresh water.

Baía dos Golfinhos (Dolphin Bay) is strictly off limits to swimmers, but access is permitted to Mirante dos Gofinhos, an outlook where you can watch hundreds of dolphins cavorting in the water every morning. The predominant vegetation in Fernando de Noronha is composed of species typical of the Brazilian Northeastern arid vegetation, which loose their foliage during the dry season. In general, the local vegetation includes higher trees and bushes on the flatter surfaces.

Another attraction is to observe the rich life of sea birds and other birds, living there permanently or stopping over during their immigrations. Except the variety of nature experiences, you may also enjoy some sports, like surfing. The waves are about 2m high and the top of the waves can reach 5m. The best period for surfing is between December and March (in February is a world championship in surf).

The archipelago is nowadays a protected national marine park, and the effects of tourism on its fragile ecosystem need to be monitored carefully. It is only the main island that allows visitors, and the local government charges a daily environmental tax of the visitors. An example of environmental restrictions is that, on the beaches of Leão, Sancho, Cacimba do Padre & Boldró, it is prohibited to access the beaches nighttime (18h - 06h) during January till June, in protection of the turtles that lays eggs.

Noronha offer good infrastructure to service tourists: bank agency, police station, post office, tourism information office, hospital, Internet access, military police forces, a port, weather information, hotels and inns. In some inns, visitors have the chance to cohabit with local inhabitants, who have turned their humble houses into familiar or charming inns. The tourism is developed in a sustainable manner, offering the opportunity for a balanced encounter between men and nature in one of the most important ecological sanctuaries in the world.

WHEN TO GO / CLIMATE: Fernando de Noronha's weather is tropical with heat and sun all through the year. The average temperature is of 28º C. There is only two well defined seasons: the dry season (from September thru March) and rainy season (from April thru August), but the rains, which in general do not last very long, give always a way to the shining sun.

HOW TO GO: There are daily flights connecting the capital cities of Natal/RN and Recife/PE with Fernando de Noronha. The distance from Recife is 540km and takes 1hour 40min by air and from Natal it is 350km and takes 1hour 10min by air. There are NO boat transports of passengers to the islands, but another interesting option is to embark a cruise ship that normally run along the Brazilian coast – between October and February – some of them include a visit to the island in their itineraries.

TIPS: Local heat and strong sunrays suggest the use of light clothing, hats and solar protection. The best option is to exchange foreign currency for Brazilian Reais before going to the island, since the majority of local inns, restaurants and souvenir stores don't take credit cards. Visitors should not forget that they must pay for an environmental preservation fee to the local administration - related to the number of days they spend on the island. Children younger than five years of age do not pay.

ATTRACTIONS:
Diving in Fernando de Noronha
The archipelago of Fernando de Noronha is one of the best places in the world for diving. The island's crystalline waters, with visibility of up to 50 meters host many species of fish, skate fish, sharks, turtles, eels, barracudas, dolphins, sponges and algae, including also rocky formations, coral reefs and shipwrecks.

Even those who do have any experience in diving can experiment the thrilling sensation of observing the local sea fauna in their natural habitat. At seashore on 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 vary 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 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.

Luais
Slab with 23-meter depth.

Pedras Secas Cliff
Set of rocks that extend from sea surface down to a 15-meter depth. The location offers an excellent visibility.

Frade Island
A depth of 20 meters. It is located in front of Atalaia 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.

Surfing
2-meter 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 thru April. Some stages of the National Surf Championship are held on Fernando de Noronha.

Beaches
The most sensational thing about Fernando de Noronha is that all the island's beaches are very pretty and very well preserved. Local seawaters are of greenish blue tone and are incredibly transparent. Some of them include also some rocky formations. Below you will find a list with main beaches.

In the outside sea

Leão (“Lion”) Beach
It is one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil. It has a rock in the shape of a sea lions, hence the beach's peculiar name. Right in front of that beach visitors see the Viuvinha rock, a small island covered with birds nests. When waves hit against some of its rocky formations, it produces a jet of water. This beach is also the main egg-laying point used by sea turtles and, therefore, the beach is closed during some months of the year, from late afternoon to the next early morning, between January and June.

Sueste Bay
It offers a peculiar characteristic in terms of oceanic islands: it has a marsh area. The sea there is quite free of larger waves. On the left side of the beach visitors find the ruins of the São Joaquim de Sueste 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 permit at the Visitors Center in the National Park.

Buraco da Raquel (Cliffy Cavity)
It offers natural pools along rocky formations. This is a place for pure and deep contemplation. Bathing is not allowed.

In the inside sea

Santo Antônio Bay
The bay forms a natural port, where small ships can anchor, including those used for sightseeing tours. The bay also includes a shipwreck that attracts many divers.

Cachorro Beach
It is located close to the Remédios Fortress. It has coral reefs and waves are low and pleasant.

Conceição Beach
This beach is very popular among surfers during high tide. During low tide, seawaters are calm and proper for bathing. Being a long beach, it is good for those who appreciate long walks along the seashore.

Boldró Beach
It also offers good waves for surfing during high tide. At the sea cliff visitors 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, being around 1-km long. During summer it offers excellent waves for surfing of up to 5 meters high. It is surrounded by native forest.

Porcos Bay
This beach has quite too many rocks and a narrow stretch of sand. Natural aquariums with colored fish its great attraction. But diving here is not allowed. In front of it, tourists can visit two huge rock slabs called "Dois Irmãos" (Two Brothers). The highest one holds the ruins of the São João Batista Fortress, offering a beautiful view of the turquoise-blue waters marked by dark cliffs. This peculiar scenario has led some 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 beach of Porcos Bay. It is excellent for the practice of free diving, since it offers good visibility and diversity of marine fauna at a shallow depth. From its sea cliffs, visitors face one of the most beautiful views in Fernando de Noronha. This beach is also an egg-laying point for sea turtles, and so there are restrictions to access it from January to June, from late afternoon to the following early morning.

Boat tours
This is the favorite tourists' attraction. Boats sail along the Inside Sea, offering an incredible view of beaches from the main island of Fernando de Noronha and also from the small islands surrounding it. On 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.

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 those least known corners as well.

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.