Fernando De Noronha

Fernando De Noronha combines impressive nature experiences with a historic town center. The archipelago’s main island has a land area of 17 km². At the same time, nearly 70 percent of the main island is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves”, which includes the main island. The Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park is also part of the island’s landscape: it is one of the two protected areas that make up the main island. Nature watching and protected landscapes thus meet historic sites on the island.

Experience dolphins and tidal pools

The Baía dos Golfinhos viewpoint offers a special nature experience. From there, visitors can watch dolphins swim into the park at dawn. The early hour shapes the character of this experience: if you want to see dolphins, you can plan this morning moment as a focus of your trip. Watching from the viewpoint is quite different from an excursion centered on the landscape itself.

At low tide, natural pools form in Baía dos Porcos, where colorful fish live. The tide is part of the experience: the pools form when the water is low. This makes Baía dos Porcos a different natural feature from the morning dolphin watching. When choosing your holiday apartment on Fernando De Noronha, these different interests can help determine which experiences you want to prioritize during your stay.

History in Vila dos Remédios

The island’s cultural history can also be explored at specific sites. The architectural ensemble of Vila dos Remédios preserves the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Church, ruins, centuries-old courtyards and the Palácio São Miguel. These different elements give the historic center its distinctive character: the ensemble includes courtyards, ruins and the palace as well as the church.

A historical and cultural tour begins at the entrance to Vila dos Remédios’ historic center. The island’s first inhabited settlement lies opposite the Palácio São Miguel; from there, the tour continues toward the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Church. Anyone interested in the island’s history will find a concrete starting point for exploring the historic center. The Fortaleza Nossa Senhora dos Remédios is another prominent site. It is located on a hill between Porto de Santo Antônio and Praia do Cachorro. Its location between the harbor and the beach is a distinct landmark and should not be confused with the route of the historical tour.

Active days in nature and getting there

For a hike, the Sancho trail complex is available. It is developed, accessible and has a low difficulty level. It therefore offers a nature experience with an explicitly low level of difficulty; this may be relevant when planning your day if you are looking for a trail with these characteristics. Nature watching, tidal pools, the trail and historic sites represent different ways to discover the island.

Getting there is also straightforward to plan: there are daily flights from Recife to Fernando de Noronha, with an approximate flight time of one hour. When choosing a holiday apartment, it may help to first consider whether you are mainly looking for nature experiences, the historic town center or a mix of both.

Discover more destinations

More destinations: Moreno, Surubim, Goiana, Recife, Porto de Galinhas, Brejo Velho, Chã Grande and Garanhuns.

Back to the main travel guide: Pernambuco.