Cheap flights to Fernando de Noronha

Quick summary

Why track Fernando de Noronha with SniperAir

You do not need to compare prices every day

Airport and getting there

One air link only: flights from Recife or Natal

Distances and times are indicative, taken from Wikivoyage (EN, DE) and Wikipedia (EN, ES, FR); sources differ by a few kilometres. We give no fares, which change.

Fernando de Noronha belongs to the state of Pernambuco although it lies closer to Rio Grande do Norte. It has 21 islands and islets covering about 26 km²; only the main island, about 17 to 18 km², is inhabited, by a few thousand people. On arrival you pay a local environmental preservation tax, and the number of visitors on the archipelago at any one time is capped: check the official websites before booking, as amounts and rules change.

Beaches and landmarks

A volcanic archipelago on the UNESCO list and its famous beaches

The archipelago is the summit of a submarine volcanic structure. A marine national park has covered about 70% of the main island and nearby waters since 1988; together with Rocas Atoll it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. The beaches of Sancho, Porcos and Leão regularly feature in rankings of Brazil's best, according to Wikivoyage. The mainland-facing coast has Sancho, Porcos, Cacimba do Padre, Conceição and Boldró; the Atlantic-facing side has Leão, Sueste and Atalaia.

The Morro do Pico

The Morro do Pico, a volcanic spire 323 m high, is the highest point of the archipelago and its most recognisable profile; it can be seen from many parts of the island.

Dois Irmãos and the Baía do Sancho viewpoint

The twin Dois Irmãos rocks stand in the water at the entrance to Baía do Sancho, the island's most often cited beach; its neighbour, Baía dos Porcos, can be seen the same day. Wikivoyage advises bringing your own shade: there is none at Leão and the shaded spots at Sancho fill up quickly.

Cacimba do Padre beach

On the mainland-facing coast, Cacimba do Padre gives another view of the Dois Irmãos rocks. Its waves make it popular with surfers; ask locally about sea conditions before swimming.

Diving, dolphins and nature

Clear water, dolphins and turtles

Diving and snorkelling

The archipelago's waters, bathed by a warm current from Africa, offer visibility of up to about 50 m, according to Wikipedia (EN) and Wikivoyage (EN). Diving and snorkelling are a major reason to come; several natural pools, such as Atalaia, are regulated (limited numbers, limited time, sometimes a guide is compulsory). We have no photo of the diving: check with local operators.

Turtles and birds

Sea turtles visit Sueste Bay; touching them is forbidden. The park also shelters one of the largest seabird breeding colonies in the South Atlantic and endemic birds such as the Noronha vireo. We have no photo of the turtles.

Trails

Trails inside the national park need authorisation and accredited guides; those in the environmental protection area are freely accessible. Some routes (Atalaia, Capim-Açu, Pontinha-Caieira, Abreu) run on a booking system with limited places.

Dolphins at Baía dos Golfinhos

Baía dos Golfinhos is home to a large dolphin population, mainly spinner dolphins; they can be watched from the viewpoint, from the shore or on a boat trip. The archipelago is listed by UNESCO notably as a feeding ground for dolphins, turtles, sharks and tuna.

History, culture and museums

Forts, wartime remains and conservation

Forte dos Remédios

Sighted in 1503, notably by the expedition that included Amerigo Vespucci, the archipelago was contested by the Dutch, the French and others, then secured by Portugal in the 18th century, which built a network of forts. The Forte Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, begun in 1737, is the largest and best preserved, according to Wikivoyage (EN). We have no photo of the fort.

Vila dos Remédios and wartime traces

Vila dos Remédios, the main village, keeps remains from the time when the island was a penal colony and then a military base in the Second World War, with anti-aircraft batteries preserved for visitors, according to Wikipedia (ES). The island served as a prison until the 1980s.

Conservation and the park

There are no large museums: the island's culture revolves around conservation. The marine park is run by ICMBio, and the Tamar project, devoted to sea turtles, is cited by Wikivoyage; shops supporting Tamar are one way to contribute. Check opening times locally.

Food and drink

Seafood, moqueca and pay-by-weight buffets

Island cooking is that of Brazil's north-east: fresh fish and seafood, moquecas (fish stew with coconut milk), grilled picanha and many buffets by weight or all-you-can-eat. After a dive, a bowl of açaí with granola and banana near the port is a classic. Restaurants cluster in Vila dos Remédios and the Floresta Nova and Boldró districts; pizzerias and Italian tables round out the choice.

Getting around

One road, one bus line, buggies

The BR-363 and the bus

A single road, the BR-363, crosses the island from the port to Sueste Bay, hence its nickname TransNoronha. One bus line runs it every day from early morning to evening, in about twenty minutes end to end, according to Wikivoyage (EN); it is the cheapest way to reach the beaches.

Buggy, car and hitchhiking

Buggies and cars can be rented, and many visitors also get lifts with locals or dive trucks. Taxis exist. For some park sites you need a guide or an organised tour.

Staying safe

Swim only in marked areas, follow posted instructions (Sueste Bay is sometimes closed) and check your home country's official travel advice before departure.

Budget

A high budget, among the most expensive in Brazil

Fernando de Noronha is an expensive destination: an isolated island reached only by plane or boat, accommodation almost entirely in pousadas (about 70, often adapted houses), limited visitor numbers and local fees. The bus, pay-by-weight meals and free beaches help keep costs down, but the overall level is clearly higher than on the mainland. We give no figures, because fees and prices change.

The air fare remains the most variable item. SniperAir tracks prices to FEN and compares them with the route's history; since flights mostly come from Recife and Natal, also consider tracking those cities.

When to go

When to visit Fernando de Noronha? Warm all year, seasons reversed

Sources differ by a few weeks on the rainy dates (February to July for Wikipedia and Wikivoyage EN; March to August for Wikipedia DE): take these months as a guide. The climate is tropical, with two distinct seasons. Book early in high season, as visitor numbers are capped.

By length of stay

How many days on Fernando de Noronha

In pictures

Fernando de Noronha in pictures

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about flights to Fernando de Noronha