Beaches in Fernando de Noronha
The mere fact of approaching the island's unspoiled beaches and breathing in the air mixed with the salt that blows off the ocean breezes already brings a sense of peace that is hard to describe.
Below you will find a brief description of the characteristics of each of the beaches that make up the coast of the island of Fernando de Noronha. The island is divided into the Mar de Fora (Outer Sea) and the Mar de Dentro (Inner Sea). The Mar de Dentro is so called because it faces Brazil, while the Mar de Fora has its coastline facing Africa/Europe.
The "navigable" side of the island, and the one with the most beaches that can be visited, is the Mar de Dentro (Inland Sea), which is much less jagged because it suffers much less from the winds. On this side are famous beaches such as Cacimba do Padre, Baía dos Porcos and Sancho (which has been voted the most beautiful beach in the world 3 times according to Travelers Choice). And on the Mar de fora side, there are other famous beaches such as Baía do Sueste and Praia do Leão (which has also been ranked 1st in the world).
Check out a little about each of them below:
INLAND SEA
Port of Santo Antônio
Praia do Porto is one of the few beaches with a structure in Noronha and is where the tour boats, diving boats, cargo boats and other small boats leave from. Despite being the 'port beach', it has some of the calmest and clearest waters on the island, perfect for snorkeling or stand up paddle boarding. For those who practice scuba diving (or snorkeling), in the shipwreck next to the beach you can find corals that are home to a great marine diversity, from turtles to rays.
INLAND SEA
Cachorro Beach
Praia do Cachorro is located in Vila dos Remédios and is also on the list of the few beaches with facilities on the island. It got its name because of the little island in front of the beach, which is said to resemble a dog lying down. The beach is well known for Buraco do Galego (Galego's Hole), a small - but deep - natural pool that only forms at low tide, formed in the rocks, where the bravest dare to jump in and those who aren't too keen on heights watch the immense blue sea. It also leads to the trail to Lasca da Velha, another incredible natural pool formed between the rocks, which can only be accessed at low tide.
INLAND SEA
Middle Beach
Praia do Meio is located between Praia do Cachorro and Praia da Conceição. It's a quiet beach during the day, but during the late afternoon and evening it hosts large parties and luaus. This is where Bar do Meio is located, one of Noronha's best-known spots. If you're looking for a place to enjoy the beach during the day and get busy at night, this is the place for you!
INLAND SEA
Conceição Beach
Praia da Conceição was named after Our Lady of the Conception, who has a fort dedicated to her on Fernando de Noronha, as well as the beach. It is also one of the island's most structured beaches, with places to eat and relax - such as Bar do Duda Rei. During wave season, it is full of surfers, but throughout the year it is a meeting point for those who practice slackline or play footvolley, as well as being one of the best spots on the island to watch the sunset.
INLAND SEA
Boldró Beach
It is said that the name of Praia do Boldró comes from the English language, from when the Americans inhabited the island during the Cold War, and called the beach "Bold Rock", because of its rocky formation. It is known that little by little, the word became Brazilianized, making its name "Boldró". Boldró beach is more frequented by locals and is not very touristy, but it is still very beautiful! The beach has coral reefs that line the sea and is a great spot for snorkeling. It's also a favorite spot for surfers, who flock to Boldró mainly at low tide, which is the only place on the island where the waves are good and numerous natural pools are formed.
INLAND SEA
Americano Beach
Americano is a small, deserted beach, perfect for those seeking peace and privacy. It was so named because it used to be used by the Americans for the Teleguided Observation Post.
INLAND SEA
Bode Beach
Praia do Bode is also one of the small, quiet beaches that are famous for the natural pools formed at low tide. Its fame also comes from Pedra do Bode, one of the most beautiful places to watch the sunset, where you can see the Dois Irmãos on one side and the Pico on the other.
INLAND SEA
Quixabinha Beach
Praia da Quixabinha is known for having good waves in the summer, not as big as those at Praia da Cacimba do Padre, and ends up being an alternative for surfers who aren't as used to the Noronha sea.
INLAND SEA
Cacimba do Padre Beach
Cacimba do Padre Beach is located in front of Dois Irmãos Hill, one of Fernando de Noronha's main postcards. Its name comes from the time when the island was still a prison, when a priest discovered a "well" of drinking water in this place, which was nicknamed 'cacimba do padre'. During the first half of the year, its waves host important surfing championships and, in calm water, it is a great option for snorkeling.
INLAND SEA
Bay of Pigs
Baía dos Porcos is a continuation of Praia da Cacimba and has also been named one of the most beautiful beaches in the world by TripAdvisor. To get there, simply climb the rocks at the end of the beach. If the tide is low, the trail is easy, but at high tide the difficulty increases, so keep an eye on the tide table if you want to visit this corner of Noronha. Diving is also an option here, but only when there aren't too many waves, mainly due to the number of rocks near the beach. Alcoholic drinks are not allowed on this beach.
INLAND SEA
Sancho Bay
Praia do Sancho has been named the most beautiful beach in the world a few times by TripAdvisor. During the dry season, its sea turns into a large pool with calm, crystal-clear waters, and during the rainy season you can see a spectacle of nature, where a freshwater waterfall forms on the rocks. To access the beach, you need to have a National Park ticket and follow a trail along the incredible rocky wall that protects its surroundings - which also leads to the Baía dos Golfinhos trail and has the island's most famous viewpoint as a mandatory stop - passing by flights of stairs embedded in the rock, as well as a stone staircase leading down to the beach. Another way to get to Sancho without taking the stairs is by boat. This is one of the only beaches where authorized boats can stop. Regardless of the way, going to Sancho is an obligatory stop for those who come to the island.
OUTSIDE SEA
Leão Beach
Praia do Leão has also been considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, along with Praia do Sancho. To enter it, you also need to have a National Marine Park ticket. It's a more deserted beach with no structure on the sand - but with an information and control point right at the entrance with toilets and garbage cans - perfect for those who want to disconnect from the world, but without being careless in the sea. From December to July, you can also see the turtles laying their eggs. If you just want to see the beach, go to Mirante do Leão and enjoy the view!
OUTSIDE SEA
Southeast Bay
Sueste is one of the most popular beaches for those who want to find turtles and sharks! Like the beaches of Sancho and Leão, Sueste is a protected area within the National Marine Park - which requires a ticket to access - and is divided into 3 areas: an area reserved for research only, another - up to the safety buoys - where bathing is permitted, and the third area where snorkeling is allowed. To dive in Sueste, it is compulsory to wear a life jacket, precisely out of respect for the corals that remain there, preventing people from touching or injuring themselves. That's why, in addition to your mask and snorkel, you'll need this mandatory item. Don't have any equipment? Talk to us.
OUTSIDE SEA
Atalaia Beach
Atalaia is one of the "beaches" protected by the Fernando de Noronha National Marine Park and which looks like a large "aquarium" due to the transparency and calmness of its waters. The famous Atalaia pool is formed by a barrier reef which, at low tide, becomes a nursery for a variety of marine species. To visit it, you need to make an appointment at the ICMBio with your ticket in hand.
OUTSIDE SEA
Raquel's Hole
Buraco da Raquel (Raquel's Hole) is an old diving spot that was closed for environmental protection reasons, but it remains one of the best-known and most famous for its legends in Noronha. It is said that its name comes from the time when the island was a prison, when Raquel was one of the few women who frequented Noronha because she was the daughter of the prison chief. One version of the story says that she ran away to the 'hole' to be alone and the other that she went there to stay with the men of the island. To get to know it, stop by the Shark Museum.
OUTSIDE SEA
Caieiras
You will discover that there is Praia da Caieiras (next to the port) and the Caieiras swimming pool, right next to the beach. Access to the pool is restricted and you will need to book your visit - with an accredited guide - at the ICMBio to take the trail that starts in Vila do Trinta (at the same entrance as Atalaia). Important: the appointment can only be made with the name and knowledge of the guide.
OUTSIDE SEA
Air France
Air France is at one end of the island, right next to Porto Santo Antônio, a strategic point for the French in the 1920s, who stayed there to support aviation. It leads to the trail to Morro de São José, where a natural pool forms at low tide when the seas meet. It is also known for its views: the meeting of the inside and outside seas, the secondary islands of the archipelago, Capelinha and, above all, the sunset, where you can see a mixture of sunset and moonrise. It's worth setting aside a late afternoon to watch this spectacle of nature.