Fernando de Noronha: what to know before you go

About 350 kilometers off the coast of Brazil’s Northeast, Fernando de Noronha is a volcanic archipelago of some twenty islands and islets. Much of its territory is a national marine park, and the whole area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Atol das Rocas. Visitor numbers are controlled to preserve this exceptional environment.

How to get there?

The archipelago can only be reached by plane, with daily flights from Recife and, depending on the season, from Natal. The flights are short, but there are few of them and they fill up quickly in high season. Noronha fits easily into an itinerary that goes through Recife and Olinda, or at the end of a trip after Rio and Salvador.

Fees to plan for

Two fees are mandatory. The environmental preservation fee (TPA) is paid by all visitors for each day spent on the island; it is progressive and increases with the length of your stay. In 2026, it is just over 100 reais per day for a short stay. The national marine park ticket gives access to the park’s beaches and trails; it is valid for ten days and costs more for foreign visitors than for Brazilians.

Brazil Vip tip: These amounts are revised every year. We’ll give you the current rates at the time of booking and explain how to pay the fees before departure.

What to do on the island?

Baía do Sancho, regularly ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world, is reached by a staircase cut into the cliff. Baía dos Porcos and its rocks, Praia do Leão, where sea turtles come to lay their eggs, and the lookout over Baía dos Golfinhos, where you can watch spinner dolphins in the morning, are among the must-sees.

Underwater, Noronha is one of the best diving spots in Brazil: clear water, turtles, rays and reef sharks. Non-divers can enjoy snorkeling in the natural pools of Atalaia, open to a limited number of visitors, or boat trips around the archipelago.

• Baía do Sancho — Go for: the turquoise water and the cliff — Tip: go early in the morning
• Baía dos Golfinhos — Go for: the spinner dolphins — Tip: visit the lookout in the morning
• Atalaia pools — Go for: snorkeling among the fish — Tip: limited access, book ahead
• Praia do Leão — Go for: sea turtles and a wild beach — Tip: respect the nesting areas

When to go?

The dry season, roughly August to January, offers the best underwater visibility and clearer skies. The rains tend to fall from March to July. From December to March, the swell reaches the north coast, to the delight of surfers, while the other side of the island stays calmer.

How long to stay?

Four nights let you see the highlights without rushing, alternating beaches, trails, diving or snorkeling. Accommodation is mostly in pousadas, from simple to very high-end, and prices are noticeably higher than on the mainland: it’s best to book well in advance.

Brazil Vip tip: Bring cash and reef-safe sunscreen. On the island, everything arrives by plane or boat, and the environmental protection rules are strict.