The freezing temperatures in the United States are an invitation to escape to the Southern Hemisphere, where summer is in full swing.
Leave your coat, boots, gloves, and scarves in the closet. It’s time to head to Fernando de Noronha, an archipelago of 21 islands in the Atlantic Ocean, 220 miles off the Brazilian coast. A unique ecological sanctuary that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a preservation area that houses diverse species and the most wonderful beaches in Brazil. Three (Sancho, Porcos, and Leão) regularly feature on the list of the best beaches in Brazil.
A large part of the area is a Marine National Park. And because it is a small island with limited water resources and a 
fragile ecosystem, there is a maximum number of 460 visitors allowed on the island. To enjoy Noronha, visitors must pay Environmental Preservation Fees: one for environmental preservation, charged per day of stay, and another for those wishing to visit the Marine National Park, valid for 10 days.How to Get There
• By Plane: Flight times are 1:40 from Recife and 1:10 from Natal. Flights from Azul Airlines and Gol Airlines operate daily. There are also charters and complete packages available from 
major Brazilian cities, available at most Brazilian travel agencies.
• By Sea: During the high season, the travel operator CVC offers 4-6 day cruises from Fortaleza, Natal, and Recife.What to Do and See
Flights always arrive in the afternoon, so take the rest of the day to visit some of the beaches closest to the center, such as the tranquil Praia do Cachorro, Praia do Meio, and the lively Praia da Conceição. You can get there by bus, taxi 
or bicycle. In the evening, take some time to watch one of the lectures from the Tamar project, responsible for the preservation of sea turtles.Exploring the Beaches of Noronha
Take a buggy and spend the whole day discovering the best spots and beaches of Noronha, with stops for 
swimming and diving in some of them, like the Baías do Sancho and dos Porcos. In the late afternoon, watch the sunset at Forte do Boldró. It’s unforgettable!Dolphins and Baby Sharks
The first destination of the day is Baía dos Golfinhos. Take an early morning boat ride through the waters of the Mar de Dentro, in front of the mainland, and see dolphins jumping around you! In the afternoon, a great option is to swap 
the calm water observation for the adrenaline of the rough sea at Praia da Cacimba do Padre, with big waves that are among the best in the country for surfing.
On the next day, the last one, flights leave Noronha in the afternoon, so you can use the morning to visit the natural pools at Praia da Atalaia, where you can see thousands of fish and even baby sharks. The trail is short 
(30 minutes). Don’t forget to book in advance, as the tour is very popular.
The relative isolation from the mainland, visitor limits, and preservation make Fernando de Noronha an expensive destination. But the “happy few” will be well rewarded by the delights of this island paradise and its fascinating underwater world.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The sunset
• Baía do Sancho viewed from above
• The full moon rising from the ocean
• Dolphins in Baía dos Golfinhos
• Turtles in Baía do Sueste (Baía do Sueste)
• Baía dos Porcos (Baía dos Porcos)
• Atalaia
• Underwater life