Fernando de Noronha is a Brazilian archipelago that is part of the Atlantic Forest and was declared as a World Heritage Site for its natural beauty.
The more than 3,000 hectares that compose this archipelago make it the largest marine park in Brazil and one of the most important diving spots in South America.
It is divided into the main island, the Ilha Redonda, and a few smaller islands.
There are several activities to choose from when visiting Fernando de Noronha including scuba diving, hiking, cycling, bird watching and other activities.
The people who visit this place also have the opportunity to swim with dolphins or other marine animals. Just to mention there is not better place for snorkeling!
If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination that is full of activities and beautiful landscapes then I would recommend visiting Fernando de Noronha!
Marine park and diving
One of the “MUST DO” activities that Fernando de Noronha has to offer is scuba diving. This activity is popular because the sea bed at Noronha is made up of granite and sedimentary rocks with little or no vegetation. The marine life in this area includes more than 230 species of fish, 34 species of corals, 68 species of mollusks, 76 species of echinoderms, 76 species of crustaceans, and 100 species of sponges.
This Brazilian archipelago is a popular destination for divers, as the underwater visibility is 30-50 meters and the water temperature ranges from 18 to 24ºC.
The best time to go scuba diving during your visit is between October and April because you will have lower water temperatures and better visibility.
The archipelago is also home to several different species of sharks, including the pelagic thresher, hammerhead, white tip, nurse, whaler, and bull sharks. Tiger sharks are also found in the archipelago, but it is rare to see them. Shark sightings are usually associated with activities such as fishing or cleaning fish meat during the daily activities of the boats.
However, Fernando de Noronha is one of the world’s best diving spots for whale sharks! From July to October, whale sharks. Turtles, rays, and moray eels are also common in the area.
Whether you want to explore this archipelago completely or just enjoy some activities like diving or snorkeling, Fernando de Noronha is the ideal place for you!
Beaches at Fernando de Noronha
Another “must do” activity for visitors to this archipelago is sunbathing or swimming at one of the beaches. Fernando de Noronha has around 22 beaches, some of which are small and rocky while others are long with fine, white sand.
One of the most popular activities on these beaches is surfing. The biggest wave you can find in Fernando de Noronha is called Olho D’água and it reaches 5 meters in height. Below just a few of the known beaches:
Baia do Sancho
This beach offers activities such as diving and snorkeling in the shallow areas of the Baía do Sancho. The beach was many times ranked under the most beautiful beaches in the world!
The activities you can enjoy in this beach are:
- Snorkeling and diving
- Hiking and walking
- Fishing
- Surfing and bodyboarding
Visitors can find a little bit of everything at this beautiful beach, including activities for families to enjoy together.
Baía do Sueste
Baia do Sueste is a popular spot for snorkeling.
This place is located on Ilha Redonda and it has great visibility thanks to the calm waters. The water in this bay is home to sea turtles and other species such as:
- Pufferfish, which can produce poisonous spiky skin, that’s why it’s important to be careful with them
- Angelfishes that can grow up to 20 cm;
- Sponge crabs
- Two different species of shrimp (Dorididae and Hoplocarida)
- Flying gurnards;
- Parrotfish
If you’re looking for activities in Noronha, then activities such as snorkeling and diving will be a great choice to explore this beautiful place.
Praia do Leão
This is one of the most comfortable beaches in Noronha. Praia do Leão has a calm and transparent sea, which attracts many activities such as:
- Snorkeling
- Diving
- Fishing activities (during high season)
One of the activities that will surely enjoy visitors who come to this beautiful beach is snorkeling. For me this beach was the best of all for snorkeling because I saw sharks, stingrays and a lot more, just big adventure!
Praia (baía) dos Porcos
Praia dos Porcos is a beach that is not as visited as some of the others, but it’s very beautiful and activities such as snorkeling, diving, surfing and fishing are possible here.
Praia da Cacimba do Padre
Praia da Cacimba do Padre is one of Fernando de Noronha’s best beaches for sea activities, such as snorkeling, diving and surfing. This beach is known for having big waves during the winter months of June to August.
Visitors should be aware of the fact that there is really strong current during summer months. The beach also has several underwater rocks. Visitors should take care when entering the water to snorkel or dive.
Praia do Bode
One of the best activities you can enjoy at Praia do Bode is snorkeling. There are several objects that attract fish and turtles.
Praia do Bode also has one of the most beautiful beaches in Noronha, despite its proximity to Ilha Anchieta.
Visitors should be aware that there is strong current in this area, so it’s important to be careful when entering the water.
Praia do Porto
The activities you can enjoy at Praia do Porto are snorkeling, diving and surfing (it has one of Fernando de Noronha’s best surfing waves). This beach is located very close to the Porto school.
Visitors should be aware of strong currents and waves, as well as large rocks that make entering the water a bit dangerous.
Praia da Conceição
This beach has an area suitable for activities such as surfing and diving near a small island called Porquinho.
Visitors should be aware that there are underwater rocks, so whenever you enter the water for activities such as snorkeling or diving, take care.
Praia da Conceição’s turtle tourism is developed. The activities at this beach are snorkeling, diving and surfing.
Visitors should be aware of strong currents and waves, as well as the underwater rocks.
Praia da Areia Preta
Praia de Areia Preta is one of Noronha’s best beaches to enjoy activities such as diving and surfing (it has one of the best surf spots in Fernando de Noronha).
Praia do Cachorro
Visitors must be aware that there are strong currents in Praia do Cachorro, so activities such as snorkeling and diving should only be done when the sea is calm.
There are several activities to enjoy at Praia do Cachorro. One of them is snorkeling, which can be done near the small island called Paredão.
This beach also has some rocky areas that make entering the water dangerous for activities such as surfing and diving.
Visitors should be aware of the fact that this beach is very close to Ilha Anchieta, which means there are strong currents.
Praia do Leque
This is one of Fernando de Noronha’s best beaches for activities such as diving, surfing, and snorkeling. Visitors should be aware of activities that might damage the reef, such as the throwing of rocks.
Praia do Americano
Visitors must be aware that activities such as snorkeling, surfing and diving are not recommended at this beach because it has strong currents. However, activities such as walking, running, and horse riding are possible.
Praia do Boldró
Visitors should be aware that activities such as surfing and diving are not recommended at this beach because it has strong currents. However, activities such as walking, running and horse riding in the neighboring area are possible. It’s also possible to visit the Morro da Fortaleza here, which was an old military base in 1909.
Should I rent a car in Fernando de Noronha?
Whether you’re coming to Fernando de Noronha for business or pleasure, renting a car enables you to explore more of what this enchanting archipelago has to offer.
We recommend visitors to rent a car because it enables them to visit beaches that are not near the downtown area, such as Lagoinha and Boldró.
If you’re staying at Vila dos Remédios or Vila Noronha, the island’s two most recommended hotels for families, we recommend renting a bike instead of a car. These places are close to other neighborhoods outside downtown Noronha, so activities such as horse riding and renting a bike are great activities to enjoy there.
Buggy rentals are also available at different places on the island and we personally would suggest to rent one at Fernando de Noronha. In our oppinion the best mode to explore the island on a very pleasent manner.
To rent a car, the minimum age is usually 25 years old for both international and national residents. You can find more information about prices on Fernando de Noronha’s official website .
If you’re under 18 years old, you must have either your parents’ or a legal guardian’s authorization to drive a car on Noronha. You can find more information about that on this official website .
Boat trips
Boat trips are available to most tourists, with most companies operating from the downtown area. They typically include a stop at Ilha Ratajeú, a uninhabited island 2km from Fernando de Noronha.
The boat operators usually provide snorkeling masks and fins for activities such as snorkelling.
Fernando de Noronha is also sometimes visited by dolphins and other marine species, which can be seen from the boat.
Visitors must be aware of activities that might damage the reef while they’re on a boat trip. They should also follow instructions to avoid activities such as fishing or throwing things in the water, which might cause environmental damage. Visitors must also be aware of activities such as whale and shark spotting, which might endanger marine life.
Fernando de Noronha where to stay
Fernando de Noronha offers a wide range of lodging options for all visitors. For the most panoramic views, we recommend staying at Vila dos Remédios or Vila Noronha. Vila dos Remédios is particularly recommended because it has activities such as horse riding and renting bikes, which are perfect activities to enjoy with children. People who want to explore the island but don’t want to stay in the hotel can also visit one of the island’s pousadas.
Pousadas are inns that can be found in several neighborhoods around Fernando de Noronha, such as Retiro, Praia da Fortaleza and Vila dos Remédios.
Visitors can also stay at private houses. These so-called “casas” are available for rent, and visitors can rent a house based on the activities they want to enjoy in Fernando de Noronha.
The Tourism Office is located on Avenida Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes, 1846. They’re open from Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm.
Fernando de noronha nightlife
Fernando de Noronha has a bustling nightlife scene, especially during the summer season. Visitors can enjoy activities such as live music, billiards and karaoke at the different bars around town. The nightclubs also usually provide activities during the day, so visitors can enjoy activities like diving or kayaking when they visit in the morning. Visitors should be aware of activities that damage the environment while enjoying nightlife in Fernando de Noronha.
Visitors must be aware that activities at Noronha’s nightclubs are usually more expensive than activities in other cities, such as Natal. We recommend asking prices before participating in activities to avoid surprises.
##Fernando de noronha cuisine
Traditional restaurants are located downtown. They offer visitors traditional recipes made with fish freshly caught from the surrounding sea..
A local delicacy is “Mandubi” , a typical Brazilian dish made with sautéed squid.
The most traditional activities at Fernando de Noronha are actions such as “Sarau”, which usually involve arts, poetry and music. Visitors interested in activities that show the island’s culture should ask the activities desk at their hotel or pousada about activities in their area.
Celebrities at Fernando de Noronha
By visiting this paradise you can always count also on “celebrities watching” not only “whale watching”, hahaha. Usually many brazilian celebrities find their way for a few relaxing days to the island. But also international high society stars can be identified sometimes.
A list of celebrities that have visited Fernando de Noronha
– Leonardo DiCaprio
– Taraji P. Henson
– Ellen DeGeneres
– Shailene Woodley
– Kim Kardashian
– Madonna
– Megan Fox
– Justin Bieber
– Kris Jenner
– Selena Gomez
And many more others.
How long should I stay in Fernando de Noronha?
3 nights are recommended for activities that don’t include activities such as diving, while 5 nights are recommended for activities that do include activities like scuba diving. Visitors should also rent a car or take activities that include activities such as diving or kayaking, since these activities are limited to certain areas of the island.
We could tell so much more about this beautiful paradise and can only recommend a visit. Although Fernando de Noronha is not the cheap destination in Brazil, the visitor is rewarded with unforgettable impressions and encounters with the animal diversity of this island and a few very relaxing days.
Source by Dindu
