How to Spend the Absolute Perfect Day in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
Ok, let’s be real, every day spent in Fernando de Noronha is the perfect day. I mean, it’s an island full of picture perfect beaches, what’s not to love? But, 70% of the island is part of a National Marine Park, and the beaches within the park are some of the most beautiful of all Brazil. Therefore, the perfect day on the island will be spent exploring these beaches. Upon arrival, head straight to the ICMBio office and get your National Park pass. The cost of the pass is R$ 200 ($50) for foreigners and R$ 100 ($25) for Brazilian nationals, and is good for 10 days. Children under 16 do not pay for a park pass.
So, if you really only had one glorious day to spend on the island, this is how it should be spent.
- Praia do Leão (Lion Beach)
- Baia do Sueste (Southeast Bay)
- Praia do Sancho (Sancho Beach)
- Baia dos Porcos (Bay of Pigs)
- Bar do Meio (The Bar in Between)
Getting Around
Before you start your perfect day, you have to decide how you will get around. The best way to get around the island, and make the most of your time, is to rent a buggy! Since, buggies are a very common way to travel on the island, your hotel or pousada should help you make the arrangements. The price of a buggy is R$ 300 ($75) for a day, which is a full 24 hours. There are also taxis and buses on the island, but you have to adhere to their schedules. Believe me when I say that no perfect day ever included waiting for a Brazilian bus, not even on an island paradise. Buggies also have the added benefit of being able to navigate the dirt roads that lead to all the beach entrances.
Travel Tip: The buggies are manual transmission. You MUST know how to drive a stick shift to be able to drive them. Even then, they are not super intuitive. If you cannot drive a stick, hire a buggy and driver.
You should also get to know the tide schedule before setting out for your day. The beaches are most accessible, and there are natural tide pools that appear, during low tide. Further, the waves are less choppy during low tide.
Praia do Leão (Lion Beach)
Like any perfect day, a perfect day in Fernando de Noronha is going to start early. Even though the island is small, it will take a full day to see all four beaches and catch the sunset. You will start on the side of the island that faces the Atlantic Ocean, called “Mar de Fora,” with Praia do Leão being your first stop. Praia do Leão is named for the rock that looks like a Lion laying down in the water. Even though the beach is beautiful, the water is dangerous due to waves and not recommended for swimming. Instead, you can observe the beach from the vista points or take the short hike down to the shoreline.
Travel Tip: Most of the beaches in Fernando de Noronha take work to get to, including hikes over rocks and down ladders. Non-skid, water resistant shoes with sturdy soles will be the best shoes to wear.
Baia do Sueste (Southeast Bay)
The next beach over from Praia do Leão and also on the outer sea is Baia do Sueste. Because Baia do Sueste is more enclosed and protected from the sea by boulders, swimming is good regardless of the tide. Also, Baia do Sueste is teaming with undersea wildlife! You can rent a life vest for R$ 15 ($3.75) and go with a guide to a sea turtle feeding ground. We also saw baby sharks swimming around while we were there. Baia do Sueste has a little cafe where you can get sandwiches or you can head into town for lunch while the tide is at high peak.
Praia do Sancho (Sancho Beach)
Since I’m not a fan of waking up early, we ended our first day at Praia do Sancho. However, if you do wake up early and time it correctly, you will arrive at Praia do Sancho as the tide is going out. Praia do Sancho is one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever stepped food on. As the tide goes out, the calm waters reveal coral reefs for optimal snorkeling. The coral reefs contained tons of little zebra fish, but we also saw cowfish and parrot fish. This was the first time my kids were really confident to snorkel in open water. It was so magical to see them discover the world under the water.
I really can’t stress this enough, don’t forget your underwater camera!
There were also very interesting birds nesting in the trees and cliffs along the edge of the beach. The park rangers at Sancho Beach were so informative, and handed the kids a guide of all the endemic species that can be found on the island.
Descending the ladder at Sancho Beach 
Descending the ladder at Sancho Beach
Of all the beaches, Praia do Sancho is one of the most difficult to access. You have to walk a quarter-mile down a board-walk to the ladders that go down to shore. Then you must wait to descend according to the ladder schedule, which only allows you to go down every other hour. The ladder is wedged between rocks, and then you have to go down several stairs before finally reaching the beach. It sounds like a lot of work I know, but it is 100% worth every drop of sweat.
Travel Tip: If you are claustrophobic, I recommend you book a boat tour to be able to access Praia do Sancho without having to go down the ladders.
Baia dos Porcos (Bay of Pigs)
The last beach on your perfect day in Fernando de Noronha is the Baia dos Porcos. My favorite spot on the island, the Bay of Pigs has warm waters and great snorkeling. We also saw some lovely coral reefs teaming with colorful fish that you are able to swim right over the top to see them. Baia dos Porcos also gives you the best view of the Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers). Both Praia do Sancho and Baia dos Porcos are on the side of the island that faces Brazil, the “Mar de Dentro,” making the waters great for swimming.
To get to Baia dos Porcos, you do have to climb up some stone steps and over some volcanic rocks. Luckily, there are some colorful crabs that you can observe along the way.
Bar do Meio (The Bar In Between)
Brazilians have a saying when they are ending the perfect day in the perfect way. They say, “fechando com chave de ouro,” which means “closing the day with a golden key.” So, to close with a golden key, catch the sunset at Bar do Meio. Bar do Meio is one of the most popular spots on Fernando de Noronha, especially at sunset. There is live music, cold drinks, great food and luxury cabanas with bottle service if you have room in the budget. But most importantly, the bar has the best view of the iconic Morro do Pico (Pico Rock). You can watch the sun dip into the ocean while turning the entire sky behind the rock pink and orange. The bar is outside of the National Marine Park and therefore is very crowded, try to arrive an hour before sunset to be able to get a table.
That’s it, the most perfect day in Fernando de Noronha. So if you find yourself only able to spend 24 hours there, now you know what to do :).
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