Fernando de Noronha: The Island Paradise in Brazil You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of

Stepping onto Brazil‘s Praia do Cachorro feels like breaking through a sheer curtain separating reality from the surreal. As I descend the stone steps, green palms sway overhead, giving way to an aquamarine pool with just the right amount of waves. I walk through a natural archway framed by jungle—and suddenly, I’m standing in front of what might be the most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen. Then again, I’ll say that over and over during my week in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil’s remote island paradise that (somehow) no one’s ever heard of.

Home to a beach consistently ranked the world’s best, one of the largest spinner dolphin sanctuaries on Earth and a set of quirky yet effective environmental rules that keep the shores pristine, Noronha is one of the most uniquely beautiful destinations I’ve ever visited. The island is so carefully protected that seeing a sea turtle or a shark drifting close to shore is more common than spotting a single beach vendor.

I just returned from my second trip and can confirm: it’s as breathtaking as ever. Would I go a third time? Absolutely. Here are all the reasons why (and everything you need to know before you go) Fernando de Noronha should be your next island escape.

With clear waters, dramatic cliffs and marine life at every turn, these are the beaches I wouldn’t skip on my (third) visit to Fernando de Noronha.

Praia da Conceição

My favorite beach on the island. No cell service. No Wi-Fi. Just sunshine, sand and one of the best views in Noronha. Praia da Conceição is easily the island’s most social beach—a place where locals and travelers come together at the end of the day to watch the sun sink behind Morro do Pico, another iconic peak that juts dramatically into the sky. There’s just one beach bar, which keeps things simple: cold drinks, occasional live music and a laidback vibe that never feels chaotic. The wide swath of sand is perfect for stretching out, and I ended up spending an entire day here without even meaning to. Golden hour is magical, and the sunset? Unreal.

Praia do Cachorro

The easiest beach to reach is also one of the most beautiful. Praia do Cachorro is the closest beach to the main village, where locals cool off after work and visitors stop by for a morning dip. It’s home to the iconic Buraco do Galego, a natural rock pool that’s become a popular photo spot, and some of the calmest waters on the island. The descent is as picturesque as I described earlier: a lush, stone-lined path that feels like walking through a secret doorway. If there’s one beach to visit as soon as you land, make it this one. It’s the perfect introduction to what’s to come.

Baía do Sancho

Often topping lists of the world’s best beaches, Baía do Sancho is, in my opinion, the most breathtaking beach on the island. The experience starts with the descent: To reach the sand, you climb down a set of ladders wedged into a cliffside, then follow a steep staircase carved into the rock. Don’t worry — everything is carefully maintained and monitored by park guides. On our way down, we spotted a dark shadow gliding near the shore. “A lemon shark,” our guide said calmly. “They do no harm.”

Once you reach the bottom, you’re met with a secluded bay of soft sand and pool-blue water. I’ve seen sea turtles, sharks and more fish than I could ever name here—and I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Baía dos Porcos

Fernando de Noronha has a few famous peaks, and Morro Dois Irmãos (the Two Brothers) is one of them. These two jagged black rocks rise dramatically from the sea, just beyond Baía dos Porcos. To reach this beach, start by taking a cab to Cacimba do Padre. At the far-left end of the beach, a short trail leads up a rocky outcrop that offers a front-row view of the iconic peaks. From there, you’re handed a helmet—a precaution due to the risk of falling rocks—and begin a brief descent to Baía dos Porcos itself.

Down below, the same jagged rocks appear in miniature, forming natural tide pools that fill with colorful marine fish at low tide. It’s not exactly a beach for lounging, but more of a place to explore quietly and capture your best photo of the Morro Dois Irmãos. That said, both my guide and the park ranger stationed at the entrance told me this was their favorite beach on the island—so perhaps the beauty here goes beyond comfort. For them, it’s just right.

Praia do Meio

Right next to Praia do Cachorro, you’ll find Praia do Meio, which, as the name suggests, sits right in the middle (meio) of two beaches. Compared to Cachorro’s more energetic scene—with vendors selling caipirinhas and coconuts, chairs everywhere and people renting snorkel gear and those odd water bikes—Praia do Meio has a much more laidback vibe.

There’s a beautiful, easy trail between the two beaches that winds through the jungle and past crumbling stone ruins. The way the light filters through the trees makes you feel like you might run into a fairy. At the far end of the beach sits Bar do Meio, the island’s only beach club, a lively spot that serves drinks, beach snacks, full meals and live music at sunset.

From snorkeling with sea turtles to dancing forró under the stars, these are the best ways to experience Noronha beyond the shores.

Do the Island Tour

If it’s your first time in Fernando Noronha, the full-day Island Tour is the best way to get yourself acquainted with the island. It’s a full-day guided experience that takes you around nearly every accessible beach on the island, from the dramatic cliffs of Sancho to the wild waves of Leão. It’s the best way to get your bearings and discover which beaches you want to come back to.

Watch the sunrise on a Hawaiian canoe

One of the most magical experiences I’ve had in Noronha was paddling out in a Hawaiian canoe before dawn. As the sky turned pink, dozens of spinner dolphins danced in and out of the water beside us. You’ll need to book this in advance, but trust me, it’s worth the early wake-up call.

Snorkel at Praia do Porto

Praia do Porto is surprisingly rich with marine life and one of the easiest places on the island to swim with sea turtles, no tour or boat needed. If you swim out toward the shipwreck, which sits just offshore in the middle of the bay, you’re almost guaranteed to spot turtles and even the occasional reef shark. On the far side of the pier, I once swam with more than ten sharks in a single outing—all peacefully gliding below the surface. It’s an adrenaline rush, yes, but in the calm, clear waters of Noronha, it somehow still feels serene.

Catch the sunset at Forte do Boldró

Sunsets are a ritual here, and Forte do Boldró is the place to be. Everyone gathers along the stone walls with beers in hand about an hour or so before sundown. There’s live music and a stocked bar on site.

Dance forró at Bar do Cachorro

Head to Bar do Cachorro after dinner for live music and forró, a beloved Brazilian dance that originated in the country’s Northeast. Even if you don’t know the steps, the rhythm is contagious—and someone might just pull you in for a spin. It’s the kind of place where you’ll run into your boat captain, your cab driver and half the island, all laughing with a cold beer in hand.

There are countless restaurant options on the island, ranging from upscale, splurge-worthy spots to casual buffets fit for an effortless lunch. But these are my top three.

Cacimba Bistro

Cacimba Bistro is spacious and impeccably decorated, with a breezy, beach-chic vibe that makes you want to stay awhile. The menu focuses on fresh fish and seafood, with a few creative twists, like a Thai-inspired curry that reminded me how much I miss traveling in Asia. It’s the kind of place where everything feels thoughtful, from the plating to the playlist.

Pousada Maravilha

You don’t have to be a guest at Pousada Maravilha to dine here, though after one visit, you might wish you were. The restaurant overlooks the turquoise bay of Sueste, offering one of the most romantic views on the island. Come for a long lunch or a sunset dinner, order a glass of champagne and just linger. The crab risotto was unreal, and we wrapped up the meal with Cartola: grilled bananas topped with a thick chunk of salty cheese, dusted with cinnamon and sugar, and served with a side of ice cream.

Benedita

A newer addition to the island’s food scene, Benedita is led by a renowned chef from São Paulo and offers a more elevated, culinary-driven experience. We ordered the grilled fish for two—perfectly cooked, served with fresh sides like salad and grilled vegetables—and a dozen oysters that tasted like they were pulled straight from the sea. The cocktails were just as memorable, like the mango-cilantro infusion I still think about.

Pack reef-safe sunscreen. It’s incredibly expensive on the island, and non-reef-safe options are banned in certain parts of the national park.

Keep the environmental fees in mind. There are two: the TPA (Environmental Preservation Fee), which you pay per day of your stay (official site here), and the PARNAMAR fee to access protected beaches and trails. You can pay both ahead of time or in person when you arrive.

Book hikes ahead of time either online or in person at the visitor center. Limited spots fill up quickly, especially for the popular Atalaia natural pool.

Explore the Visitor’s Center. It’s a great intro to the island’s unique history and diverse marine life.

Ask your cab driver about the taxi WhatsApp group. This is how you’ll call a cab, and the prices are fixed.

Pack your own snacks and drinks. Many visitors stock up on wine, granola bars or other essentials before arriving. Markets on the island are limited and pricey.

July to September is ideal. It’s dry, warm and the underwater visibility is perfect for snorkeling and diving. If you’re looking to avoid crowds and sky-high prices, steer clear of the holidays and January.