Diving in the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago
Diving is Fernando de Noronha’s biggest attraction.
The waters are so transparent that the visibility on the seabed can exceed 40 metres. It is an excellent place to observe a natural system with around 230 species of fish, fifteen species of coral and five species of shark.
Marine Biodiversity
Fernando de Noronha is a true marine biodiversity sanctuary, home to an incredible variety of species.
- fish: Around 230 species of fish inhabit Noronha’s waters, including endemic species such as the parrotfish and the thin-billed shark. It is common to see schools of dorado, barracuda, sardines and even moonfish.
- Corals: The fourteen species of coral found in the archipelago are essential for the formation of reefs, which provide shelter and food for various marine species.
- Sharks: In addition to the thresher shark, Noronha is home to other species such as the spined thresher shark and the hammerhead shark, which are vital to the balance of the marine ecosystem.
- Stingrays: Divers often spot stingrays, such as the manta ray and the sail ray, which are impressive for their beauty and behaviour.
- Turtles: Fernando de Noronha is one of the main nesting sites for sea turtles, especially the Hawksbill and Green Turtles. During the nesting season, the hatchlings can be seen leaving the nest and heading out to sea.
Terrestrial biodiversity
The archipelago is also home to several bird species, such as the frigate bird, the Magellanic penguin and the guinea fowl, fowl and mammals such as the bat and the fox. Native vegetation includes cacti, xerophytic shrubs and palms, which have adapted to the region’s semi-arid climate.
The importance of conservation
Fernando de Noronha’s biodiversity is considered a natural heritage of inestimable value. For this reason, the archipelago is an Environmental Protection Area, where practices such as underwater fishing are banned and visits are controlled to minimise environmental impact.
The protection of these species is essential to ensure the health of local ecosystems and the preservation of the natural beauty that attracts tourists from all over the world.
In Fernando de Noronha you can practise the following activities: scuba diving, technical diving, free-diving (apnea) and even discovery diving, where visitors can take a guided dive with a certified instructor, enjoy the beauty of the Noronha Sea and get to know diving as a sport.
Underwater fishing is totally forbidden.
Top Fernando de Noronha Archipelago Dive Sites
Mergulho em Fernando de Noronha03:20
Scuba diving em Fernando de Noronha08:01
Pontos de mergulho em Fernando de Noronha09:18
1. In the inland sea
1.1 Cabeço da Sapata
With depths down to 42 metres, this is a wall with a wide variety of passing fish reaching the surface. Suitable for experienced divers. This is where the Corveta Ipiranga collided before sinking.
1.2 Sapata Cave
Located in the curve at the tip of Sapata, the Cave is 18 metres deep. On entering, you’ll often see stingrays resting on the sand and a large grouper that has inhabited the cave for several years. The cave is 15 metres high and 30 metres long.
1.3 Dois Irmãos Slab
Next to the Dois Irmãos hill, it has an average depth of 23 metres, with rocks, sand and lots of marine life. From time to time it is possible to see some finback sharks.
1.4 Eleni Estathatos Wreck
You can reach it by swimming as it is only 100 metres from the harbour. It was a Greek cargo ship that sank in the 1920s and is a great place for night or late afternoon dives.
1.5 Corveta Ipiranga shipwreck
Considered the most complete shipwreck in Brazil and one of the most beautiful in the world, the Corveta Ipiranga sank in 1983 due to a navigational error. It lies at a depth of 64 metres, but the dive usually doesn’t go beyond 53 metres due to the long decompression time. Only experienced divers can dive this site, with prior assessment by the operator.
2. On the open sea
2.1 Atalaia
With a shallow depth due to the low tide, many divers go snorkelling. Excellent for macro and close up photography due to the variety and quantity of fish, including small shark pups.
2.2 Underwater headland
A meeting place for the turtles that frequent the Baía do Sueste. Many caves and big fish, with depths up to 25 metres.
2.3 Luiais
Similar to Pedras Secas, this is a submerged slab at 23 metres with various species of fish and a great variety of organic life. It is considered one of the best dives in Noronha.
2.4 Dry rocks
A group of rocks that rise to the surface, where the local depth is around 15 metres, with lots of sponges, thresher and sand sharks (lambarú), large barracudas, rays and turtles. It has several entrances forming small canyons and visibility is usually excellent. Beware of the currents. At certain times of the year there are huge schools of sardines circling the rocks.
3. Other dive sites
3.1 Middle Island
Several burrows and caves at a depth of 15 metres offer shelter to various shoals and nurse sharks.
3.2 Ressurreta / Canal da Rata
Good for drift diving, with depths between 8 and 15 metres. Relatively calm bay on the shore of a clear water channel.
3.3 Cagarras
With a rocky coastline, this is a great place for beginners to make deep dives, with depths of up to 30 metres. Divided into “Deep Cagarras” and “Shallow Cagarras”, these are dives in sheltered coves.
3.4 Hell Hole
A large area with various underwater navigation options. Beautiful rock formations that resemble mountain ranges, with depths up to 25 metres.
3.5 Pontal do Norte
A large submerged rock, like a skyscraper, which makes for a beautiful dive from the sand, with large fish and lots of marine life, down to 42 metres.
3.6 Buraco das Cabras
Volcanic rock formations with several schools of small fish; usually with a drift ending in the Canal da Rata. Depth to 15 metres.
3.7 Frade Island
An excellent place to meet turtles, especially the part of the island facing the open sea. Various types of corals and sponges, with depths down to 20 metres.
Main sites in the Fernando de Noronha archipelago
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