I went to Fernando de Noronha as I was travelling in Brazil for 5 weeks and really wanted to go diving. After a little research, I heard it was the best diving Brazil had to offer. Brazil for diving, you say? Why not go to the Galapagos or Caribbean? Well, I'm glad I didn't. Fernando de Noronha was fantastic! So much sea life and great dive guides. And a beautiful deep wreck dive to complete what it has to offer.
This island, just one hour's flight off the coast of Brazil, has so much to offer. Its rather ragged exterior signifies the wilds of the ocean around it, just ready to be explored...
Pods of dolphins can be seen daily at the 'dolphin bay' or Baia dos Golphinos.
There were around 20-30 dive sights available. Visibility was excellent and each of our 10 dives allowed us to see a multitude of sea-action - turtles a plenty, sand sharks a-go-go, spotted rays all over and, of course, colourful and diverse reef fish. We also saw a reef shark.
And the best thing about Fernando de Noronha? It's a nature reserve (which, admittedly adds to the cost as each visitor has to pay a fair-priced nature tax) which means the Brazilians are looking after this area and limiting the numbers of tourists allowed to visit at one time. They also run two research/conservation projects - one on dolphins and one on sea turtles - which hold talks and exhibitions. Fascinating.
And don't worry if you don't speak Portugese - each of the three dive centres has English-speaking guides as well as Spanish and French.
There are numerous affordable places to stay - little 'pousadas', like B&Bs.
Finally, if you're travelling with a non-diver - it is a small island out in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, so don't overestimate other activities. But having said that, it's an excellent place to surf (world-renowned, so I'm told) and there are two bays calm enough to swim as well as plenty of walks for any days off.
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