How long to stay
Five days leave room for the main landscapes, one experience at sea and a few dinners out. With less time, put Sancho, Cacimba and Porcos first, plus one sunset. The itinerary here is a flexible suggestion, not a rule.
World Heritage · UNESCO
Discover Noronha.
Discover Noronha.
Meet the people who live here.
A visual guide to the island — beaches, diving, sunsets and food — made with original photography, bringing visitors closer to the people who work in Noronha.
Run a business on the island? Join the guide.
Baía dos Porcos
photograph by Felipe França
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Zero PlasticThe island restricts single-use items. Bring a reusable bottle.
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Nesting groundsRespect the ropes, the trails and the rangers' instructions.
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Island fee and ParkThey are two separate charges. Sort both out before you fly.
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Original photographyThe images in this guide are by Felipe França.
Where to start
Four ways into the same island
Each one leads to the same place by a different route. Pick the one that matches where you are in the trip — from the first daydream to the night-before checklist.
The island
What Noronha is, how long to stay and what to sort out first.
Start here
Where to go
Beaches, diving, trails, lookouts and a sunset for every day.
See the places
Eat and stay
The food festival, dinners with a view, music bars and where to stay.
See the tables
Plan
A five-day itinerary, fees, packing and the booking checklist.
Plan the trip
Beaches · Nature · History · Food
An archipelago of 21 islands, about 350 km off the coast
Fernando de Noronha belongs to the state of Pernambuco. Beaches and volcanic formations sit alongside some of the richest marine life in the Atlantic. The Noronha and Rocas Atoll reserves have been a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site since 2001.
What to sort out first
Choose where to stay and your transfer, pay the island fee, buy the Park ticket when you need one and check trail availability. Only then book the bars with a view and the Zé Maria food festival.
Two different charges
The Environmental Preservation Fee is per person and based on how many days you stay. The National Park ticket is a separate charge, valid for ten days. One does not replace the other, and neither covers the trails that require a booking.
An island to visit with care
Do not touch, feed or chase the animals, and do not take shells or stones. Respect the ropes, the nesting areas and the rangers' instructions. The natural pools have their own rules about gear and products. Take all your rubbish with you.
1503 · Captaincy · Forts · Prison · Park
Five centuries on an island of 26 km²
Before it became a travel destination, Noronha was a hereditary captaincy, a Dutch outpost, a Portuguese stronghold, a prison, a Second World War base and a federal territory. Almost everything you visit today is what one of those layers left behind.
Brazil's first captaincy
The island appears on maps from 1500 onwards under the name Quaresma. The official records date the sighting to 10 August 1503 and the grant as a hereditary captaincy to Fernão de Loronha the following year — the first in Brazil. That is where the archipelago's name comes from.
From Quaresma to Noronha
The island had other names before this one. It appears on maps from 1500 as Quaresma, and was christened São João Batista because it was sighted on that saint's day. The name that stuck belongs to the man who was given the island: Fernão de Loronha, a Lisbon merchant who financed expeditions and received the archipelago from King Manuel I as Brazil's first hereditary captaincy.
Over time, “Loronha” turned into “Noronha” in speech and in the records. The irony is that he most likely never set foot on the island that still carries his name.
Dutch, French and English
Its position in the Atlantic made the island contested for more than a century. There were French raids between 1556 and 1558, a visit from Francis Drake in 1577, Dutch rule from 1629 to 1654 and a French occupation in 1736.
Ten forts and a village
Portugal took the archipelago back and built a defensive system of ten fortifications, along with the village. Forte dos Remédios is the one that survived best, but the ruins of others, such as São Joaquim do Sueste, are still standing.
Two centuries of exile
From the Portuguese return until the mid-twentieth century, the island served as a prison. Romani people were exiled here in 1739, Farroupilha revolutionaries in 1844 and capoeira fighters in 1890. The ruins at Praia do Cachorro are from that period.
The war and the federal territory
Its strategic position in the South Atlantic brought the Second World War to the island, and with it the airstrip. The Federal Territory of Fernando de Noronha was created in 1942 and run by the Army until 1981. Between 1957 and 1965 a guided-missile tracking station operated here.
Pernambuco, park and heritage
The 1988 Constitution dissolved the territory and returned the archipelago to Pernambuco. The Marine National Park was created in the same year. In 2001 UNESCO recognised Noronha and the Rocas Atoll as a World Natural Heritage Site, and in 2017 came the national heritage listing by IPHAN.
Sancho · Porcos · Cacimba · Leão · Sueste
The blue comes in many shades
Every beach has its own character. Put nearby stretches together and choose where to swim by the state of the sea that day — a beautiful view does not mean calm water.
Tap a point to open it in Google Maps. The lines in the sea are decorative and do not show depth.
Tap the photos to enlarge.
Baía do Sancho
Cliffs, greenery and blue water make this one of the island's essential sights. Getting down to the sand means narrow stairs, with people going up and down in turns. The lookouts let you enjoy the view without the climb. A Park ticket is required.
Baía dos Porcos
A small strip of sand between rocks, with Morro Dois Irmãos in the frame. The trail starts at Cacimba do Padre. Check the access times and the state of the sea; a Park ticket is required.
Cacimba do Padre
A wide beach, perfect for photographing Dois Irmãos and taking in the scene. When the surf is up, swimming calls for caution. Combine it with Baía dos Porcos if access is open.
Conceição, Meio and Cachorro
Good choices for pairing a beach with Vila dos Remédios. Conceição has Morro do Pico as its backdrop; Meio sits on the way to the sunset spots. Check the sea and the tide before going in.
Leão and Sueste
Leão is striking, and an important turtle nesting area; it can have strong currents. At Sueste, current guidance allows you to enjoy the beach but not to swim. Both are inside the Park.
Porto de Santo Antônio
The departure point for boat trips and a good base for exploring around the harbour. For snorkelling, ask locally and check the permitted area, the boats and the state of the water.
Ocean · Natural pools · Heritage
Beyond the sand
Book something that shows you the island from another angle: from a boat, from the lookouts or from the old fortress walls. Wildlife sightings are up to nature — no tour can promise them.
Boats and diving
Choose a licensed operator, confirm the route, whether you need a Park ticket and what is included. Snorkelling and scuba diving are different experiences: ask about gear, guidance and duration before booking.
Atalaia and the trails
The natural pool at Atalaia requires a booking. Slots and times follow the tide and the Park rules. Trails such as Capim Açu and Pontinha-Caieira require an accredited guide. Read the specific conditions on your voucher.
Mirante dos Golfinhos
A stop to watch the spinner dolphins, best early in the morning, with no guarantee of a sighting. The bay is where the animals rest: going down, swimming or sailing into it is not allowed.
The village and Forte dos Remédios
The Portuguese settlement consolidated in 1737 built a defensive system across the island, and the fortress holds part of that story. Combine Vila dos Remédios, the church and Forte Noronha, which today offers cultural visits and dining.
Views · Drinks · Music · Sunset
Late afternoon is an outing of its own
Bar do Meio, Boldró and Forte dos Remédios are three different experiences. Pick the place by the kind of evening you want, and confirm booking, programme and access.
Bar do Meio
A late afternoon of drinks and beach atmosphere, between Meio and Conceição. The venue has lounges and sunset tables. Their site lists bookings by WhatsApp on +55 81 99605-5344. Confirm any minimum spend, conditions and programme.
Mirante do Boldró
For a view, food and drinks together in the Boldró area. Ask the venue about booking, menu and the day's programme. This is the commercial restaurant, not to be confused with the Fortinho do Boldró.
Forte Noronha + Paiol
At Forte dos Remédios you can combine history, a view and the Paiol restaurant. The current offer includes an immersive museum, guided visits and a sunset programme. The ticket and the meal are separate costs; check for private events.
Zé Maria · Paiol · NANNAI · MAVI · Bar do Cachorro
Noronha at the table
Suggestions by type of experience, in no particular order. Check the current menu, the location and opening hours when you book, and tell the venue about allergies and dietary restrictions directly.
Zé Maria · food festival
An evening given over to food at Pousada Zé Maria. The published programme runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 8pm. Booking ahead is required; drinks are charged separately and tables may be shared. Check the calendar for your trip.
Paiol · dinner at the fort
For pairing a meal with a visit to Forte dos Remédios. The kitchen combines Mediterranean references with regional flavours. Ask about access, kitchen hours and tables, especially on event days.
TiaTê · NANNAI Noronha
The restaurant at NANNAI builds on regional ingredients, fish and seafood, with a view over Sueste. A good choice for an unhurried lunch or a special dinner. Non-guests are served with a booking; confirm availability and menu.
MAVI · Mediterranean house
At Ponta do Air France, pair the terrace and the view with Mediterranean-inspired cooking, fish, seafood and house cocktails. Check the official menu and confirm a table, kitchen hours and booking conditions for your group.
Bar do Cachorro
Near Praia do Cachorro, in Vila dos Remédios, this is a bar, a restaurant and live music in one. A good way to stretch the evening and catch the island's music scene. Check the schedule, any cover charge and the hours; arrange your ride back before you go.
How to choose and book
Set aside one evening for the festival, one for the fort and one for an à la carte dinner. For groups, ask them to confirm a shared table — at the festival, separate bookings do not guarantee you will sit together. Compare price, drinks, service and the ride home.
Other places to vary your evenings: Mergulhão, near the harbour, Xica da Silva and Varanda, serving contemporary regional cooking in Vila do Trinta.
Itinerary · Fees · Packing · Checklist
Five days at the island's pace
A plan you can bend to your flight, the tide and your bookings. The festival falls on whichever Wednesday or Saturday lands in your trip. Swap the beach days around according to the sea, and give priority to confirmed trail times.
Day 1 · arrival and first view
Check in, confirm transfers and bookings. If your flight allows, walk around Vila dos Remédios and see Meio or Conceição. Finish at Bar do Meio.
What to wear: light clothes, swimwear, sandals and a shirt for the evening.
Day 2 · Sancho and Dois Irmãos
Start at Mirante dos Golfinhos, move on to the Sancho lookouts and go down to the beach if you want to. Add Cacimba do Padre and Porcos only if time and access allow.
What to wear: swimwear, sun-protective clothing, trainers for the access points and sandals in your bag.
Day 3 · a day at sea
Book a boat trip or a dive with a licensed operator. Keep the afternoon light around the harbour. Fit Zé Maria in at night if the festival is on.
What to wear: swimwear and a light cover-up; for dinner, linen, a dress or a casual shirt.
Day 4 · trail and sunset
Put Atalaia first if you can get a slot; the tide sets the timetable. After that, pick an open beach or simply rest. Finish at Boldró.
What to wear: trainers with grip, a hat and a small backpack; bring a dry change of clothes.
Day 5 · history and farewell
Visit the village and Forte dos Remédios if your flight time allows. With a full day, consider Leão and the view at Sueste, or dinner at Paiol.
What to wear: light clothes, trainers or sturdy sandals and a layer for the plane.
If you have more time
Add a beach day with no plans, another trail if there is a slot, or an extra dive. A sightseeing drive helps you decide where to go back to. Avoid stacking three timed activities into one day.
Island fee and Park ticket
The island fee is per person and based on how long you stay; the authorities recommend paying before you fly. The Park ticket is valid for ten days under the conditions of purchase, and trails with a booking need a separate time slot.
Getting around the island
Arrange the airport transfer with your accommodation. For beaches and dinners, use a taxi, a transfer or a rental vehicle depending on your budget. Agree the price and the ride back before you set off, and save maps and phone numbers.
Packing for Noronha
Light clothes, two sets of swimwear, sun-protective clothing, a hat, sunglasses, trainers with grip, sandals, a reusable bottle and a waterproof bag. For dinners, comfortable casual pieces.
Booking checklist
Flights and accommodation; transfer; island fee; Park and trails; boat trip or dive; Bar do Meio; Mirante do Boldró; the fort and Paiol; Zé Maria; TiaTê; MAVI; and the Bar do Cachorro schedule. Keep your confirmations and check the cancellation policy.
Prices and opening hours can change. The official links let you check the figures and the rules for the date of your visit. Information checked on 9 October 2026.
Find · Compare · Book
What are you looking for on the island?
Search by name, category or area. This first selection comes from the guide; new partners are published after review and signing.
Editorial selection: it does not imply a commercial partnership, paid advertising or availability. Prices and bookings are confirmed directly with each venue. Paid listings will be identified as such.
What is on while you are here
The island calendar
Festivals, live music, sunset sessions, beach parties, regattas, races, markets, exhibitions. A lot in Noronha is decided within the week and disappears into stories. Here it stays in one place, with the date and a booking link.
Running something on the island?
A festival, a gig, a surf lesson, a dive trip, a craft market, a party at your guesthouse. Send the details and the team reviews and publishes them. Listing on the calendar is free while the guide is being set up and does not require a paid plan.
Help keep the guide accurate
Found something wrong or out of date?
A price changed, the place closed, those are not the hours any more, the photo is not yours or is in the wrong place. Tell us: this is what keeps the guide trustworthy. People who live on the island know before any visitor does.
Is the photo yours?
If an image is yours and you want it taken down, or the credit corrected, ask here. We remove it without argument and without asking for formal proof — the word of the person who took the photo is enough.
Is it your business?
You can ask us to correct the description, change the photo, update the contact details or take your business off the guide. The selection is editorial and costs nothing, but nobody stays here against their will.
How long it takes
Photo removal and correcting a wrong detail: within 48 hours. Suggestions and additions go into the next revision of the guide.
Local businesses
Run a business on the island?
The guide has listing plans for guesthouses, hotels, bars, restaurants, taxi drivers, guides and boat operators working in Fernando de Noronha. Plans and prices are on the Portuguese page.
Conheça NoronhaAutomated assistant