Guide To: Fernando de Noronha

By: P. Szwarc

Fernando De Noronha, located about 350 kilometers off Brazil’s northeast coast, is made up of 21 islands and is an extremely important marine conservation area.
Personally, I can say that it is in a league of its own when it comes to breath-taking views. From the soft sand that covers your toes as you stroll alongside breathtaking beaches, to the warm, crystalline waters that are home to turtles, dolphins, rays, and sharks amongst many other species, Fernando de Noronha really is the closest one can get to paradise!  
In this article, I’m going to go through everything you’ll want to consider when planning a Fernando de Noronha trip.

When to go:
Fernando de Noronha has two basic seasons, the wet and the dry. If you’re into scuba diving, the best time to visit is from August to November. However, if you prefer surfing, the best time to do so is from January to March. If you’re into simply sitting back and relaxing, Fernando de Noronha is a all year-round destination. Nevertheless, it is very important to book in advance, since hotels can get overbooked in an instant.

​What to do:

• Visit the island’s best beaches: Praia do Sancho, Praia do Leão and Baía dos Porcos are definitely the beaches that you surely cannot miss! These are known for their crystalline waters, white sandy beaches and unique snorkeling opportunities. My advice is to bring your own sun umbrella because these beaches contain limited to no shade whatsoever. From my personal experience, I can say that Noronha’s beaches have the most breathtaking views that I’ve ever seen!
• Go surfing: If you enjoy combining adrenaline with clear waters, surfing in Noronha is the perfect opportunity to do so! Depending on the time of year, Noronha has some of the best surf spots in the world (e.g. at Praia da Cacimba do Padre), thanks to its tube waves and clean waters.
• Watch the sunset at Boldro Beach: during your stay, make sure to visit Pico, a tiny hill next to Boldro beach, to watch the sun go down across the sea. You can get there by either renting a buggy or walking.
• Go scuba diving: Noronha is famous among divers all over the world, being home to some of the best diving areas in Brazil. Its clear and warm waters allow divers to view Noronha’s endemic marine life in over 20 diving sites! You can find various types of fish, sharks and even endangered species of turtles! This is surely something you cannot miss whilst visiting Noronha!
• Indulge in traditional Brazilian cuisine and seafood: I take food very seriously and I mean it when I say Noronha has the best farofa and fish in the whole world. My personal favourite is from a restaurant named Varanda, a simple, unpretentious place with a myriad of options in its menu. The moqueca and shrimp with okra is simply mouth-watering. Another one of my favourite restaurants in Noronha is Mergulhao, a place where you can watch the sunset whilst eating amazing food!