There are many options for beaches in the Fernando de Noronha archipelago. Some more suitable for diving, others for bathing, contemplation, surf etc.
In general, all the beaches located on the protected side of the main island are ideal for diving and bathing between April and November, due to the extremely calm sea.
In the remaining months, the change in sea conditions in Fernando de Noronha favors surfing, especially in January and February. Here are some important tips for your future visit.
The beaches of Fernando de Noronha are divided in two ways: “Mar de Dentro” and “Mar de Fora”.
See the map of the beaches of Fernando de Noronha
On the Mar de Fora side, with 4 beaches, a cove and a set of natural pools. On this side, the sea is more agitated and you can observe many fish, as if we were looking at an immense aquarium.
Get to know some beaches in Fernando de Noronha now.
Watch the video of the beaches and sights of Fernando de Noronha
On one side is Brazil. This is the “Mar de Dentro”, with 10 beaches, two enjoyable bays; a special one, which cannot be entered: the Baía dos Golfinhos. A calm sea most of the year, protected from the winds, allowing access from one beach to another, on walks full of beauty and adventure.
Beaches of the "Mar de Dentro"
Santo Antônio Bay and Port
Natural anchorage, it is used as a port for unloading ships, having been built a stone jetty for the mooring of small ships.
Larger ships are anchored about 500m from the beach, because there is a Greek vessel – the Eleani Sthatathos ship – sunk in the port, which prevents large ships from docking. Nearby is the Fort of Sto. Antonio, quite ruined.
It is the first of the fortifications on the main island and its name gave the entire region its name. The remains of the first jetty built during the war for unloading cannons can also be seen. All fishing and tourist boats are sheltered there.
Biboca Beach
It is not a bathing area. Located below the Fortaleza dos Remedios, it is formed by black stones, which prove the volcanic origin of the island.
This area admirably makes up the landscape seen from the top of the Fort and allows for walks at low tide, despite the difficulties it presents. Many traces of shipwrecks are often found there.
Dog Beach
Located just below the Fortaleza dos Remedios, this beach had a fountain with the face of a dog, in bronze, hence its name. A fresh water spout is an added attraction on this beach near Vila.
There is a stone pool (the “Buraco do Galego”) and the walls of Parque de Sant'Ana in the upper part. This fort was the first to be decommissioned and turned into a Navy Yard at the beginning of the last century.
On its rocks, fishermen used to salt the fish, hence the nickname “Salgadeira”. There is also a part of the Tourist Terminal, where typical fairs are located.
Praia do Meio
A small intermediate extension between the beaches of Cachorro and Conceição, it is a beach with calm waters and rock pools, in periods of calm sea, and agitated and prohibited for bathing during periods of surf.
On the border with the beach and the islet of Conceição is the “Pião”, a large stone balanced on smaller stones, proving that there are no earthquakes in Fernando de Noronha.
Praia da Conceição or Italcable
Located at the foot of Morro do Pico, it is a beach of great proportions, very popular for its easy access. The name derives from the existence of the Nª Sª da Conceição Fort, from the XNUMXth century, which was transformed into a hospital at the end of the last century.
In 1925, the Italians from ITALCABLE settled on this beach, for the actions of underwater cable telegraphy, hence its second name: Italcable. The village occupied by the Italians had three houses, a sports court and a large leisure area, which is now quite altered.
At high tides, this beach is great for surfing. At low tide, the beach is calm, with a large stretch of sand to be covered, framed by coconut trees.
Boldro beach
In the past, reserved for Americans, installed in the vicinity of the Tele-guided Observation Post, it is now the closest beach to the Hotel Esmeralda, which operates in these same facilities. At high tide, its waves are an invitation to surf.
At low tide, you walk over rocks and over a long stretch of sand. At the top of the cliff, is the Fort of São Pedro do Boldró, an excellent viewpoint and one of the fortifications of the system implemented in the XNUMXth century.
American beach
Small and deserted, it is sought after exactly for its privacy. It is so called because it is included in the area formerly used by the Americans in the Observation Post of Teleguides, on nearby Praia do Boldró.
During the military period, this beach was also reserved, its use being prohibited by islanders.
Goat Beach
An old stone path leads to this calm beach, with rock pools, where a large rock (Pedra do Bode) serves as a lookout point. From there, excursions to neighboring beaches usually depart.
Quixabinha beach
A small beach, located between Praia do Bode and Cacimba do Padre, is quiet at the ebb and bustling at high tide, making it excellent for swimming.
Cacimba do Padre beach
One of the largest beaches on the island in terms of extension, this has, as its biggest attraction, the Morro Dois Irmãos, two similar elevations, on the water's edge. The original name was Praia da Quixaba.
The discovery, in 1888, by the prison chaplain, of a source of drinking water led to it being called that way.
In the upper part, was Vila da Quixaba, with the chapel of Nª Sª da Conceição, a large accommodation for inmates with bad behavior and 28 houses. Next to the old village is evidence of one of the World War II batteries.
Bay of Pigs
An area of small proportions, beautiful, with almost no extension of sand, is formed by rocks that are real pools of colorful fish, limited by the high wall of black stones, facing Morro dos Irmãos.
In the upper part, there is the Fort of São João Baptista dos Dois Irmãos, the last fortification on this side of the island. Access to the bay is difficult and is made along a path between stones.
Sancho Bay
The most notable attraction of Fernando de Noronha, this bay is a mating and resting place for dolphins, being considered “the largest natural aquarium in the world for animals of this species”.
Access to the Bay is prohibited, limited by buoys and ropes. Called “marsuinos” in old books and “tuninhas” among the prisoners, the spinner dolphins can also be seen from the top of the Bay, at Mirante dos Golfinhos.
Dolphin Bay or Carreiro de Pedra Cove
Access to the Bay is prohibited, limited by buoys and ropes. Called “marsuinos” in old books and “tuninhas” among the prisoners, the spinner dolphins can also be seen from the top of the Bay, at Mirante dos Golfinhos.
Tip of the Shoe
It is not a bathing area. At this end of the main island is the island's native vegetation, undisturbed as it is a steep and uninhabited region.
An opening, side by side, in the cliff, is called a “gate” and, from some angles, it resembles the map of Brazil. It is one of the favorite places for divers.
“Mar de Fora” beaches
Lion Beach
Far away, located beyond the Xaréu Reservoir, its name comes from the huge rock that vaguely resembles a lying sea lion. Beside it, another rock formation – Morro da Viuvinha.
Countless nests can be seen in these rock formations. Very white sand, rock pools, water jets, access path to the sea.
At the top, constructive evidence of the Bom Jesus do Leão Fort, with 13 semi-buried cannons.
It is the beach where most turtles spawn. It is a park area, with strict permanent control. During spawning periods, no one goes down to the beach after 18:00.
tip of caracas
On a rocky point, there are the enchanting natural pools, in the middle of the rocks, which can be reached by descending the escarpment.
Ahead, the deep blue sea. In the pools, colorful fish, stingrays and dogfish form the attraction of this area, currently prohibited for swimming due to the dangers that the descent provides. It is an area of the National Park, with permanent control.
Southeast Bay
With calm seas and gentle waves, this is a historic region, where, in 1629, the fleet that intended to retake the archipelago from the Dutch hands disembarked.
It is an optional port for times when there are surf in the inland sea. Guarding the bay, on the left, are the ruins of the São Joaquim do Sueste Fort. Next to the sea, the only mangrove on an oceanic island, an ecological rarity.
Due to its importance as an alternative port, the BR 363 ends next to this bay, which leaves from the port of Sto. Antonio, on the opposite side of the island. It is an area of the National Park, with permanent control.
Atalaia Beach
Its landscape reminds the volcanic origin of the island: black rocks, reefs and Morro do Frade, in the middle of the sea. On a small strip of land, only thirty people can remain, a requirement permanently controlled by IBAMA.
With the reefs uncovered, there is a large pool, full of intense marine life. At high tide, squirts are formed, which rise to great heights. On the left corner of the beach, the ruins of the Salina that used to be there during the period of the American presence during the war.
It is an area of the National Park, with permanent control.
Caeira Cove
A region of rock pools, surrounded by dunes (another ecological rarity), it is a steep inlet, which requires care when walking between rocks. Large numbers of birds fly over the region. It is an area of the National Park, with permanent control and intense surveillance.
Raquel's hole
Contemplative region, it takes its name from a huge rock by the sea, with a large cavity, surrounded by shallow pools, full of colorful fish. The descent is prohibited, on the assumption that there is one of the barns of marine life that deserves to be preserved.
The name “Raquel” is attributed to the exceptional daughter of one of the military commanders who, in crisis, used to hide there.
Air France tip
Located exactly at the point where the sea-inside and the sea-outside meet, this is a historic region, where the French settled in the 20s to provide support for aviation.
It is not a bathing area; only for the contemplation of the sea and the secondary islands, among which – São José – it houses the only fortification located outside the main island: the São José do Morro Fort.
In the remaining building of the three that made up the old support base, the Association of Artists and Artisans of Norohenses is located, in the so-called “Air France Cultural Space”.
Fernando de Noronha Beaches – Tourism and Travel Guide
