Beaches and Islands

The beaches are divided according to their location at “sea in” and “sea off”.

Praia do Sancho (inner sea) is considered the most beautiful beach and one of the best places in Brazil for the practice of free diving. In the spawning season of sea turtles, between January and June, is banned from six pm to six am. Access is not easy, being made from an iron ladder from the top of a cliff, stuck in the rock. The beach, however, is one of the few where the parade of boats allowed to shower, and an option for those who prefer not to go down the stairs. The boats usually stay docked about 40 minutes. The water is blue and sand, white.

Besides the staircase, there is another problem. The arrival to the stairs is also difficult, even worse in the rainy season. The journey by foot (the car can not follow) is full of potholes and mud. In this case, better to go or not scuff your shoes will recover more.

Some gravel or boulders would be enough to prevent the rise and rise of the holes, allowing an easy route for tourists. We asked the guide where it is invested, after all, the daily rate paid by each. The structure should be minimal. But we were left unanswered.

This is the first beach visited in Noronha Tours. Then, you go down to the Bay of Pigs (Baia dos Porcos, in Portuguese), where there are natural pools. It is good to care due to the presence of stones. The other stop is the beach of Cacimba do Padre (one of the most beautiful and great for bathing), in front of "Two Brothers", two large and high rocks.

For the afternoon is the Porto Beach and Boldró Beach, where it is customary to watch the sunset because of its location. The van leaves the tourists in some restaurants in the New Forest district of entry, such as the Restaurant of the Biu and Dolphin Restaurant. Very close to the Dolphin, there are two establishments. In Vila dos Remedios, has the Edilma Restaurant, which offers a dish of stewed shark. Experience. Very good! Italian restaurants are other options too.

From the top of the hill on the Boldró Beach, also sees the American Beach (Praia do Americando, in Portuguese), accessible only by boat.

The next day we did a boat trip to see dolphins. The boat leaves the Bay or Port San Antonio, with very calm water. It is possible to swim there and to see some fish.

The same day, afternoon, rent a buggy to know the other beaches on the island. We begin by Praia do Cachorro (Dog’s Beach), accessed by a stone staircase. Small but beautiful and excellent for swimming. It is surrounded by rocks. On the left side, is Meio Beach. On the right, the Biboca Beach. Are close to the Remedios Village, where you can park the car.

Going forward we find Conceição Beach, where is the Peak Hill, the reference point and postcard. With 323 meters high, is visible from any point on the island. The beach, longest, is also suitable for swimming. Until then, we got the car going down the highway until you reach a road in providing access to the site. We had to finish the walking path. The holes are so big and muddy (in some places the earth gave way), it is impossible to pass even being in a buggy. The beach is beautiful. There is a restaurant and a small hotel opposite.

We ate in Biu’s restaurant and in the afternoon we went to the Port and to the Hole of Rachel Beach and Caiera Beach, both opposite the port. The name Rachel is because a girl, suffering from mental disabilities, the daughter of a military commander. She hide in that place in times of crisis. The descent into the pools is not permitted to preserve the marine species that live there. It has a large stone to the sea. The Caiera Beach is beautiful, with a strong blue water and black sand, because of volcanic rocks. The walk to the beach must be done carefully.

We follow to the other side of the island, crossing the highway to the South East Bay. Historic region, the sea calm and green, with soft waves and rocks around. It houses the ruins of Fort San Joaquin Southeast. Here is the only oceanic mangrove island and is also where you can snorkel with sea turtles. In front of this beach, there are small islands.

On the opposite side lies the Atalaia Beach, which was closed when we went. Even when open, is allowed to have only 30 people at a time. True natural aquarium with lots of marine life and reefs.

Other beaches at Sea Inside: Bay and Port of Santo Antonio, Bode Beach, Quixabinha Beach and the Sapata Tip. At Sea Outside: Lion's Beach (which also happens to nesting turtles, and of Sancho's Beach) , and Caracas Tip and Air France Tip.

Other points of interest

In Remedios Village, you’ll see the Fort of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (you can climb on foot), the Church of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios and the São Miguel Palace. There is also the Fort of St. Anthony in Air France tip, and Fort San Pedro Boldró, betweens the Boldró Beach and American Beach.

Between the tip of Air France and the Hole of Rachel is the small Chapel of São Pedro (St. Peter). In front of the Hole of Rachel, the Shark’s Museum. At this site, a store with jaws theme and a snack bar, where you can taste the famous dumpling, made of shark, called "tubalhau”.

In the square near the Nova Floresta, across the highway, there is a shop that sells souvenirs.

There is a shop and two beauty salons in the Trinta Village (Village of Thirty), a pharmacy and a lottery agency in Remedios Village.

Other Islands

Rata Island (Rat Island)
It is the second largest island after island of Fernando de Noronha, formerly inhabited by those responsible for the old lighthouse when it was necessary to maintain human. There are the Pontal do Macaxeira and Lucena Island, that becomes another island in periods of high tide.

Island of Meio (Middle Island)
Located between the Rat island and the rock of Sela Gineta. His base is narrower than its top and the wave form cavities in the walls with the surf, being appreciated when coasting in the promenades.

Other: Rasa Island, the São José Island (St. Joseph Island), Couscous Island, Lucena Island, Chapéu do Nordeste Island (Northeast Hat Island), Cabeluda Island, Chapéu do Sueste Island (South East Hat Island), Ovos Island (Eggs Island), Trinta-Réis Island, Isle of Conception or Morro de For a (Outside Hill), Sela Gineta Rock, Two Brothers Rock, Frade Island Rock, Lion’s Hill Island Rock, Viuvinha Hill Rock and Pedras Secas Rock.