São Paulo – Located 545 kilometres off the coast of Pernambuco, Fernando de Noronha archipelago is famous for the beauty of its beaches, the crystalline water, with beautiful coral and the presence of dolphins, which attract tourists from all over Brazil and the world. Getting to Fernando de Noronha island, the largest in the archipelago and the only one that is populated, must be by aeroplane, starting in Recife or Natal. After the one hour flight, slip on your flip-flops, whip out your sun glasses and enjoy the magnificent beauty of the site.
It is in Noronha that you may find what is considered the most beautiful beach in Brazil, Sancho Bay, one of the few that allow stops by bathing vessels without harming the corals. To have access to the beach, which is isolated, tourists must take a boat or must follow the steps dug into a rock. The view is simply amazing.
Easier to reach are Cachorro and Conceição beaches, closer to the centre of the island. “They are sites that are popular among those who live on the island,” explains Luis Leite, commercial director of Noronha Brasil, a travel operator headquartered in Natal. According to Leite, the three beaches above have calm waters, but for those who want something more agitated, there are other options. “Surfers appreciate Cacimba do Padre. The place even has a surf championship,” says the executive.
Diving options are also varied, with several points throughout the island, like Buraco do Inferno, Cordilheira, Macaxeira, Caieiras, Laje Dois Irmãos, Caverna da Sapata and Sela Gineta.
There are also trips for certified divers, experienced, and also for those who want to go on their first dive, the baptism. "One of the main dive points is Corveta, a sunken warship. The depth is 32 metres, so, it is more for professionals,” says the director at Noronha Brasil.
Fernando de Noronha also offers trekking and trips on 4 wheel drive vehicles. To learn about the past of the island, tourists may take the historic walk, which, according to Leite, is very popular among tourists. Starting in the centre, you visit the historic museum, Remédios Fort, Floresta Nova, Floresta Velha, Vila dos Remédios and Vila dos Trinta neighbourhoods, and end at sunset, on Conceição beach. "The ruins of the fort offer a beautiful view of the whole of central Noronha,” he says. The Brazilian Environment and Renewable Natural Resource Institute (Ibama) also offers daily talks about the nature on the island, for free.
In the evening, the fun is at Bar do Cachorro, on the beach that is also named after dogs. "It was the first bar on the island, and is the meeting point both for residents and tourists,” said Leite. A pizza place nearby also attracts the attention of tourists after a day on the island’s beaches.
Staying and eating
There are no great hotels in Fernando de Noronha. Options to stay are small inns, which range from simple to VIP.
The most luxurious, Pousada Maravilha, has five bungalows and three apartments, all facing Sueste Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in Noronha. The inn is 200 metres off the beach and the route to the beach is tarmacked. All rooms have balconies and, in the bungalows, there are also individual hot tubs.
The Maravilha services start with reception, at the airport on the island, from where the guest is taken to the inn and then to the restaurant, where he is offered a welcome cocktail with champagne.
"It is then that the guests learn about all the possible outings they can go on. The inn takes care of all the scheduling and guarantees excellence in all the services, which it tests, including the boat trips at sunset, diving, trips to the 14 beaches of the archipelago and equipment and car rental,” said Simone Dias Catharino, general manager of Maravilha Inn. According to Catharino, foreigners are the majority among the guests at the inn, representing 60% of occupation. They come from countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas.
To eat, Maravilha offers a menu with international cuisine, as well as certain menus for special occasions like weddings, anniversaries and honeymoons.
Zé Maria Inn, VIP, is famous among national artists, and also has one of the most renowned restaurants on the island, with dishes created by Zé Maria himself, who owns the inn, and also by international and local chefs. One of the attractions of the restaurant is the Gastronomy Festival, with several seafood dishes.
Service
Noronha Brasil
Tel.: (+55 84) 3217-0022
E-mail: contato@noronhabrasil.com.br
Site: www.noronhabrasil.com.br
Pousada Maravilha
Tels: (+55 81) 3619-0028/1290
E-mail: atendimento@pousadamaravilha.com.br
Pousada Zé Maria
Tel.: (+55 81) 3619-1288
Site: www.pousadazemaria.com.br
Fernando de Noronha Administration
Site: www.noronha.pe.gov.br
*Tradução de Mark Ament
