This Brazilian Beach Is One of the World’s Best—and It’s Only Reachable by Boat or Ladder

Most people outside of Brazil haven’t heard of Baía do Sancho in Fernando de Noronha—and that’s exactly what makes it worth visiting.

Frequently ranked among the world’s best beaches, this remote cove somehow manages to exceed the hype. I’ve visited beaches across the U.S., Europe, Brazil, and Southeast Asia, and Baía do Sancho is still one of the most beautiful I’ve seen.

The beach lies tucked beneath towering cliffs, revealing a crescent of soft, golden-white sand and water that shifts from brilliant turquoise near the shore to deep sapphire farther out. The visibility is so clear that you can often spot giant schools of fish—and even the occasional shark—from the clifftop before even reaching the sand.

Getting there is part of the experience.

To reach the beach, you’ll descend a series of staircases tucked into narrow crevices in the cliffs. It sounds more intimidating than it actually is, and by the time your feet hit the sand, it’s easy to understand why Baía do Sancho has earned its reputation as one of the world’s most spectacular beaches.

Baía do Sancho is located on the main island of the Fernando de Noronha archipelago, about 220 miles off the coast of Pernambuco in northeastern Brazil. The beach sits within Fernando de Noronha National Marine Park, a protected area recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exceptional marine biodiversity.

The beach sits on the island’s western coast, between Baía dos Porcos and Baía dos Golfinhos. Because of the steep cliffs surrounding it, the beach is hidden from the road. You’ll catch your first glimpse of its turquoise waters from a series of scenic viewpoints up top, which you should visit before descending to the sand via the park’s famous staircases.

Getting to Baía do Sancho starts with flying into Fernando de Noronha. The island is served by nonstop flights from Recife (REC) and Guarulhos airport in São Paulo (GRU).

Once you arrive, the beach is about a 15- to 20-minute drive from Vila dos Remédios, the island’s main village. You can get there by rental buggy, taxi, local bus, or as part of one of the popular full-island tours.

The full-island tour is the most common way to visit Baía do Sancho, especially for first-time visitors. These guided excursions typically stop at many of Noronha’s top beaches, making them a convenient way to see several highlights in a single day.

Whether you visit independently or on a tour, you’ll arrive at the national park entrance before walking along a scenic boardwalk to the beach’s adventurous descent.

While Baía do Sancho is beautiful year-round, July through September is generally the best time to visit. The weather is warm and relatively dry, and the ocean is typically calm enough for excellent snorkeling and swimming conditions.

If underwater visibility is your top priority, plan your trip between August and December. This is when the sea is usually at its clearest, making it easy to spot sea turtles, colorful reef fish, rays, and even the occasional shark.

If your schedule is flexible, try to avoid January and major Brazilian holidays. This is peak vacation season, so hotel prices are higher and beaches are much busier. Visiting during the shoulder season lets you enjoy Baía do Sancho’s natural beauty with fewer crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere.

If there’s one thing you shouldn’t skip, it’s snorkeling. Baía do Sancho’s calm, crystal-clear water offers some of the best visibility in Brazil, making it easy to spot green sea turtles, colorful reef fish, rays, and, if you’re lucky, even a reef or lemon shark. 

On my first visit, I spotted a lemon shark while snorkeling, and on the second, I saw the silhouette of another gliding near the shore before I even reached the beach. The water really is that clear. 

Insider tip: Bring your own snorkel gear or rent it elsewhere on the island before arriving, since there are no rentals on the beach.

I have visited this beach in July and September, and both times the water was extremely calm. The water is warm year-round, making it a great spot for swimming. 

Before descending to the beach, a wooden boardwalk weaves through native vegetation to several viewpoints overlooking the bay from above. Walk along the platform for panoramic views of the turquoise water, dramatic volcanic cliffs, and surrounding coastline—including one of the best vantage points of Morro Dois Irmãos, the iconic twin rock formations that have become the archipelago’s postcard image.

Seeing Baía do Sancho from the water offers a completely different perspective than seeing it from the sand. Many boat tours in Fernando de Noronha cruise past the beach’s towering cliffs and often stop to snorkel nearby. While most tours don’t land directly on the beach, they’re a great way to appreciate the scenery from afar.

I’d be remiss not to say that one of the best things to do here is to simply slow down. Spread out a towel, lie in the sun, and take in one of Brazil’s most spectacular landscapes. With no restaurants, beach clubs, or loud music, Baía do Sancho is truly the kind of place to unplug.

Because Baía do Sancho is located within Fernando de Noronha National Marine Park, there are no hotels or pousadas directly on or near the beach. Instead, most visitors stay in Vila dos Remédios, about a 15- to 20-minute drive away.

Vila dos Remédios is the best base for exploring Fernando de Noronha. It’s home to many of the island’s restaurants, cafés, boutiques, tour operators, and hotels, while still offering easy access to Baía do Sancho and other top beaches by taxi, rental buggy, or local bus.

If you’re looking for a more luxurious stay, consider one of Noronha’s upscale boutique hotels, such as Pousada Maravilha or NANNAI Noronha, both known for their ocean views, exceptional service, and easy access to the island’s coastline.

Baía do Sancho’s perfectly intact beauty is no accident. It’s located within the Fernando de Noronha National Marine Park, which means it’s protected by strict conservation measures designed to preserve its fragile ecosystem.

You can help keep the beach pristine by staying on marked trails and boardwalks, taking your trash with you, and avoiding contact with wildlife. Never feed fish, touch sea turtles or sharks, or step on coral while snorkeling.

Using reef-safe sunscreen, bringing a reusable water bottle, and respecting park rules are other simple ways to reduce your impact.

It depends on your comfort level with heights. While the stairs are sturdy and well-maintained, they can feel intimidating if you’re afraid of heights or suffer from claustrophobia in enclosed spaces. That being said, most people—including children—find the descent quite manageable.

Yes! And you should. Baía do Sancho is widely considered one of the best snorkeling spots in Brazil thanks to its crystal-clear water and abundant marine life. You can see sea turtles, colorful reef fish, rays, and, occasionally, reef or lemon sharks. But remember to bring your own snorkel.

Yes, but the staircases make the beach better suited to older children who are comfortable climbing on their own. Families with very young children or strollers may find the descent challenging. Once on the beach, however, the calm water during the dry season is excellent for swimming.

Plan to spend at least three to four hours here. That gives you enough time to enjoy the viewpoints, make the descent, swim or snorkel, relax on the beach, and climb back up without feeling rushed.

Yes, but there’s no need to panic. Small reef sharks and lemon sharks are occasionally spotted in the bay, and sightings are considered a sign of Noronha’s healthy marine ecosystem. Shark encounters are generally peaceful, and attacks are rare.

Very little. Aside from the shade cast by the cliffs during certain times of day, there are no umbrellas or trees on the beach. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water if you plan to stay for several hours.

No. There are no rental facilities on the beach itself. If you’d like to snorkel, rent your equipment in Vila dos Remédios or another part of the island before heading to Baía do Sancho.

Yes. You don’t need a guide to visit Baía do Sancho. As long as you’ve purchased the required National Marine Park admission ticket and paid Fernando de Noronha’s Environmental Preservation Fee (TPA)—both of which you’ll do before you arrive or on your first day on the island—you can explore the beach on your own.