Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park

The park in context

Created in 1988, the park protects marine and terrestrial ecosystems across much of Fernando de Noronha: roughly 70% of the main island, surrounding islands and extensive adjacent waters. The settled central area of the main island lies outside the park in the separate Environmental Protection Area.

This is a protected area, not one beach. Plan it as a collection of regulated coastal sites linked by roads and trails from the inhabited island. The park forms part of the UNESCO-listed Brazilian Atlantic Islands alongside Atol das Rocas.

Beaches, pools and viewpoints

Praia do Sancho is the park’s best-known beach: a sandy cove beneath high vegetated cliffs, reached via the Sancho trail and cliff access. Praia do Leão, on the exposed coast, is another major park beach and an important nesting area for green turtles.

For low-tide marine life, Atalaia has a shallow natural pool where visitor numbers are limited because the habitat is fragile. Baía do Sueste offers a guided underwater trail; turtles, rays, small sharks, octopus, lobsters and reef fish are among the animals recorded there.

At the Baía dos Golfinhos viewpoint, look out over a protected bay used by spinner dolphins. Observation is from land: boats and intentional diving with dolphins are prohibited in the bay.

What the park protects

The archipelago’s reefs, pools and open water support spinner dolphins, sea turtles, rays, sharks and a varied fish fauna. Green, hawksbill, loggerhead and olive ridley turtles are among the protected species. The park also protects fire coral, gorgonians and important seabird habitat on the outlying islands.

Keep wildlife viewing passive. Do not touch, feed, chase or collect animals, plants, shells, rocks or coral. Stay on marked paths and take all litter out with you.

Access and practical planning

Fernando de Noronha is reached by scheduled flights from Recife and Natal. Once on the island, use local transport or a licensed operator to reach trailheads and marine activities.

A park admission ticket is required for public-use areas; it is valid for multiple days, while specialist services such as guided activities are separate. Visitors to the island also pay the Environmental Preservation Fee, calculated by length of stay. Atalaia and some trails have capacity limits, so arrange these early in your stay.

Timing and conditions

The drier period generally runs from September to March; April to August is wetter. Conditions vary sharply by coast, tide and sea state. Time tidal-pool visits for low tide, and follow closures or ranger instructions when weather or conservation conditions restrict access.