Nature Paradise , This unique contact with primeval nature brings unforgettable moments. Various opportunities for adventurous land and sea tours, featuring underwater activities, attract a large number of Brazilian and overseas tourists.
Location -The islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean some 345 km north-west from Cabo de São Roque in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. .
Details about:
Fernando de Noronha.
Approximate Geographical coordinates
03° 45' to 03° 57' S and 32° 19' to 32° 41'W
Time zone: 2 hours earlier in relation to the official hour of Brazil (GMT -02:00)
Infrastrucure: The Archipelago has a well-organized tourist business system and accomodation of all types.
Porcos Bay One of the best of Fernando de Noronha, a small area, very beautiful, almost without sand, is formed by stones, which are real swimming pools for colored fish, limited by the high black stones cliff and opposite to the Dois Irmãos Mount. At a higher part there is the São João Baptista dos Dois Irmãos Fort, the last fort on this side of the island. The access to the bay is difficult and made through the stones.
Sancho Bay
With clear waters and sand ground, this bay is one of the very few in which it's allowed to stop boats for bathing purposes without damaging the corals. Isolated, limited by a steep cliff, natural belvedere which can be reached through three "routes": on boats, by sea; by ladders fixed in a rock split, from where you can see the sea, and complemented by stairs carved in the stones; or scaling rocks from the neighboring Porcos Bay. Any of the access modes is a delightful adventure. Covered by vegetation and stuffed with fowl nests, this bay is situated in the Reserve area and therefore is submitted to constant control
Dolphin Bay or Carreiro de Pedra Creek
The most widely known attraction of Fernando de Noronha, this bay is the coupling and resting place of the dolphins. It's considered "the biggest natural world aquarium for animals of this species". Buoys and ropes limit the bay,and here the access is forbidden. Called as "sea pigs" in old books and as "tuninhas" by the prisoners, the rotifer dolphins can also be seen from the Bay heights in the Dolphins Belvedere. In order to preserve the area for the dolphins, access by sea is prohibited.
Boldró Beach
In the past reserved for the Americans, installed nearby the Rocket Observation Station, today Boldro Beach is the nearest beach from the Hotel Esmeralda. The high tide waves invite for surfing. The low tide ones makes it possible to walk over stones and through a long sand extension. In the height of the cliff you will see the São Pedro do Boldró Fort, an excellent belvedere and one of the system forts built in the XVIII century.
Buraco da Raquel
Close to the port with a large quantity of natural low depth swimming pools, the cavity is considered a maternity of the marine fauna and flora, because a reef column protects the area. The attention is directed to a rock that seems to be a mount with a cavity. It's allowed to visit only the belvedere. The access is the same as if you are going to the harbor. The sunrise or the moonrise seen from this place is something amazingly beautiful .
Leão Beach
Located on the south-eastern side of the island it owns the most beautiful scenery of the Archipelago and has the main area for the sea turtles to lay their eggs; pools and the esguichos, geyser-like fountains. Best months to visit: December through March
Caracas Point
There are charming natural swimming pools among the stones. Far ahead a deep blue sea. Rays and dogfishes are the attractions of this area. It's an area of the National Reserve that is under permanent control.
Southeast Bay
A calm sea and smooth waves distinguish this historic region, where the naval fleet, which pretended to regain the Archipelago from the Dutch, landed in 1629. It's an optional point to be visited in the periods of undertow at the inside sea. Protecting the bay at the left side there are the ruins of the São Joaquim do Sueste Fort. There is the only mangrove in an oceanic island near the sea. Considering its importance as an alternate harbor, at this bay ends the BR-363 road, which starts at the Santo Antônio harbor, at the opposite side of the island. It's an area of the National Reserve being under strict permanent control.
Atalaia Beach
Its landscape remembers the volcanic origin of the island: black stones, reefs and the Frade Mount middle in the sea. In a small strip of land only thirty people are allowed to remain, a permanent control requirement of IBAMA. With the uncovered reefs a big swimming pool with an active marine life appears. At the high tide very high water spouts are formed. In the left beach corner it's possible to see the ruins of the salt works, which operated when the Americans were on the island during World War II. It's an area of the National Reserve being under strict control.
Cachorro Beach
Situated just below the Remédios Fort, this beach had once a bronze fountain representing a dog face. A fresh water springlet is an additional attraction of this beach. There are a stone swimming pool (the "Galego Cavity") and the walls of the Sant'Anna Park in the higher part. This fort was the first one to be closed and transformed in a Marine Arsenal at the beginning of the past century. On its stones the fishermen salted the fishes, hence the nickname "Salgadeira" (salting box). There is also a part of the Tourist Terminal with typical markets located in the neighborhood.
Air France Point
Situated at the exact point where the inside and the outside sea meet, this is a historical region, where the French settled down in the twenties for aviation supporting services. It's not a bathing area, but a place for contemplation of the sea and secondary islands, among which is the São José Island that bears the only fort situated outside the main island, the São José do Morro Fort. From the three original buildings, only one has remained, where the Artists and Craftsmen Association of Noronha was created in the so-called "Air France Cultural Space".
Conceição or Italcable Beach
Situated at the base of the Pico Mount, this is a long and frequently visited beach due to its easy access. Its name originates from the Nª Sª da Conceição Fort of the XVIII century, which was transformed in a hospital by the end of the last century. In 1925 the Italians of ITALCABLE settled down on this beach for the installation of the telegraphic undersea cable, so originates its second name. The Italian village had three houses, sports court and a big leisure place, rather different from those times. At the high tides this beach is excellent for surfing. At low tides the sea is serene, with a great walking sand extension surrounded by coconut palms
Important information:
Bring summer clothes and a pair of sneakers (take a jacket just in case), diving set*, swimsuit, rubber slippers and bathing necessities. Have cash with you as many commercial establishments of the Archipelago do not accept credit cards. This also happens because there is just one bank in the neighborhood. The average temperature on the island is + 28 degrees centigrade and + 26 at sea. There are two seasons: a dry one (September-March) and a rainy one (April-August). The rain season is characterized by short rainfalls interlaid by intense sunshine.
* All diving equipment can be rented on the Island.
