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Fernando de Noronha is Brazil’s best hideaway. It offers a range of attractions that include snorkelling, diving, walking as well as wildlife. Its beaches have been voted the best in Brazil. An archipelago ideal for self-indulgence and relaxation, yet it also offers numerous activities for the more active.
Americo Vespucio discovered the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha in 1503. Located 500km off Brazil’s north east coast, the archipelago comprises of 20 islets and islands, of which only one is inhabited. From the 18th to the 20th century the island was used as a prison and a military fortress, the remains of which lie scattered across the island.
In 1988 the entire area was made into a National Marine Park, with an emphasis on eco-tourism. Today the island relies on wind and solar powered energy, allows only 420 tourists on the island at any one time and boasts the best-preserved reef system in Brazil.
Fernando de Noronha is formed from the tip of a volcanic mountain whose base is 4,000 metres below sea level and its highest point is 323 metres. 10km in length and 3.5 km at its widest point, the island has two distinct sides; one is turned toward the continent, is less rugged, more protected from the strong winds, and has easy access to the 10 beaches which are separated by capes and peninsulas. The other side faces the open water, is subjected to a number of maritime currents, strong winds and high waves and is a National Marine Park.
The islands are made up of a wide range of flora and fauna, giving a diverse range of attractions. Due to the shallow soil system cacti are prominent and peculiarly for a volcanic island red mangrove can also be found. The marine bird life list is a comprehensive one, with frigates, beneditos, and masked and brown boobies to name but a few.
Spinner dolphins live in Dolphin Bay for 80% of the year, sea turtles lay their eggs from January to July and are protected by a conservation project, and over 75% of all coral species in Brazil can be found, including star coral and sponges.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
The archipelago has an enormous variety of activities and attractions. Below are some of the best options that the Island has to offer.
BEACHES
• The Island has a total of 21 beaches with roughly half each on either of the distinct sides of the island. 10 face Brazil and contain stretches of sand with overhanging palm trees, rock pools and surf waves. On this side lie the Bay of Pigs, a collection of small islands with superb snorkelling opportunities and Sancho bay, voted the best beach in Brazil.
• The other, more open side, offers blowholes, mangroves, Lion Beach - where turtles lay their eggs, Dolphin Bay where dolphins play for 80% of the year and can be visited by boat. Atalaia Beach allows only 30 people at a time and is lined with a pristine coral reef. Caieira Cove features sand dunes, nesting birds and shallow pools teeming with colourful fish.
WALKING TRAILS
• The Island contains five hiking trails all of which are protected by the National Marine Park. The five trails vary from two to five kilometres in length with each one covering a different aspect of the islands flora and fauna. From Dolphin lookout you can see the spinner dolphins spinning and twirling in the water. The walk to the Bay of Pigs also has superb views and is home to a variety of nesting marine birds; it also provides an opportunity to swim at the best beach in Brazil.
• The Schrad Grass Trail has a high degree of difficulty as you have the more challenging ascent over the islands volcanic rock, with views over Lion Beach. The longest is the Lighthouse Trail (4.8km) and includes some of the islands diverse vegetation with views of both the continental side and the open seashore. The High Rock Point Trail has typical Noronha rock formations, offers panoramic views of the open the sea with views onto the reef below.
WATER SPORTS
• SCUBA diving. Visibility in Noronha reaches up to 50 metres and is considered the best place in Brazil to dive due the variety of corals and colourful fish. The companies that offer this service promote first time divers, wreck dives - a notorious island for sailors due to the amount of rocky outcrops, intermediate level diving going down 8-23 metres and advanced dives which can reach a depth of up to 40 metres.
• Planasub. This is a new idea aimed at those people who prefer to remain closer to the surface. It involves being pulled by a boat at low speed with a board that takes you just below the surface, allowing you to explore a vast area of this underwater world without having to swim!
• Snorkelling. With a large variety of options here for snorkelling, there is something for everyone, from snorkelling off one of the beaches to snorkelling around one of the many islets and islands that make up the archipelago.
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