Fernando de Noronha Scuba Diving

The journey to the world-class scuba dive sites around the Fernando de Noronha archipelago must start from Recife or Natal, the two cities of north-east Brazil with flights to the main island. On arrival in the early afternoon you will be welcomed at the airfield for transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day can be spent relaxing and recovering from your journey. There are many beaches to explore if you like, and taking your snorkel and mask at all times is highly recommended! Your first experience of the crystal clear waters of Noronha can come straight from one of the finest beaches in Brazil such as Boldro or Baia dos Porcos. A hike might be necessary, with wonderful viewpoints along the way.

Your scuba diving days around Fernando de Noronha will generally be day dives, setting out by boat from the main pier in the early morning when waters are calmer, returning at some point in the afternoon. The archipelago is a protected marine reserve, with only the main island inhabited. Dive sites and dive routes are strictly controlled by the park authorities in order to maintain their pristine natural state. Fernando de Noronha scuba diving then involves day dives rather than live-aboard. The equatorial climate means that diving is possible all year round, with different dive sites having better conditions in different periods of the year, with July to December the best for beginners.

The list of marine life creatures that you can hope to encounter during your Fernando de Noronha scuba diving days is enormous, and many have no fear of humans, in common with similar mid-ocean archipelagos. Spinner dolphins are almost guaranteed to accompany your boat at some point, possibly in huge pods. Hopefully you can also see them up close under the surface. Green and hawksbill sea-turtles; numerous species of reef and lemon shark (Noronha is an important shark nursery and cleaning point); eagle, manta and other rays; occasional humpback whales; moray and other eels; octopus and squid; colourful lobster and prawns; and many more.

Noronha is also home to some 230 species of fish, including the largest of them all! Whale-sharks are regular visitors to the waters of the archipelago, and many visitors have had the fortune to swim with them and with visibility up to 50m, the chances of seeing them increase greatly. There may be huge shoals of smaller fish, with Noronha providing the pleasure of swimming through the middle of thousands of jackfish or snapper ; More regular-sized large fish include the goliath grouper, while the colourful reef is home to parrot, angel and rainbow fish. Tuna, barracuda and sailfish including blue marlin also visit the Noronha waters although they may be too fast to see...

Noronha has around 25 dive sites with suitability for a wide range of divers. Protected shallow waters such as Buraco do Curacao & Cagarras Rasas are perfect for beginners. Laje dos Dois Irmaos and Pontal do Norte have huge rock formations. Colourful drift dives between Rato and Meio islands have eroded rock formations. Buraco do Inferno is a small cave with a ceiling bubble. Cabeco da Sapata is a submarine mountain with swim-through and neighbouring Caverna. Luias is a labyrinth, Cagarras Fundas is a huge rock wall, while Cordilheiras has a canyon amongst its jaggy peaks. Pedras Secas has canyons, arches and tunnels that make it one of the Top 10 Dive Sites on the Planet.

Options for diving in Fernando de Noronha include many different types of dive. From the recreational reef dives for Baptism, Open Water and Advanced PADI course in warm tropical waters, to technical dives and courses, there are scuba options for everyone. Technical diving around submarine cliffs, canyons and caves is another speciality, while amongst many wreck-diving options is the Corveta V 17, a Navy warship that is one of the finest wreck dives on the planet. Divers can also specialise in photography or video diving, with the islands being regular visits for all the famous wildlife and diving reportage. Night-dives can add to the atmosphere as well.

If your time scuba diving in Fernando de Noronha and your flight away means that you need a final day free from under-water diving, then there are there are plenty of other activities in and around the archipelago to keep you occupied. Noronha has some of the finest beaches in Brazil, with Baia do Sancho, Baia dos Porcos and Praia do Leao the very finest. Surfing at Cacimba do Padre is another world-class activity, while hiking, horse-riding and island jeep tours are popular. The Dolphin Bay tour to see the dawn displays of the spinners is another Noronha essential. Snorkelling in the Atalaia natural pools or with the turtles at Baia do Sueste is another option.

After finishing your dives, you must leave the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago and return to Brazil! The afternoon flight takes you back to Recife or Natal, with connections to the rest of Brazil necessary from those cities. If you plan to visit any other parts of Brazil, whether to scuba dive or for tourism above the surface, then we can include your time scuba diving in Fernando de Noronha as part of a larger package. The diving section can also be adjusted to your requirements and the time that you have available for diving. However you prefer us to organise your trip, it is sure to leave you with the kind of memories that only a world-class dive site such as Fernando de Noronha can provide!