There are several tour companies to choose from. I ended up with Costa Blue also mentioned in the TripAdvisor on Brazil and I have to say that I was very satisfied. I think, all of the tour operators offer pretty much the same tours as there are not so many options as to where to go on the island as it is so small. This was my transportation for the two tours that I undertook.
Booked two tours
So, as said already, I booked two tours with Costa Blue. The full day island during which I saw pretty much all the beaches of the island, did some snorkelling, visited the Shark Museum and made an easy hike on walk way on top of the cliffs. The second tour was a three-hour boat trip to Baia dos Golphinos which also included some snorkelling.
ATALAIA HIKE
There a several more options for tours on the island and one I would recommend is the Atalaia hike. There are two options: either the short one that you can do on your own or the longer and nicer one which involves a four-hour hike and snorkeling. At the latter, you will be accompanied by a guide and snorkel in shallow water pools in some amazing spots with all sorts of marine life to observe.
Life jacket is mandatory
A life jacket is mandatory not so much for your safety but more to prevent you from putting down your feet and destroying some corals.
No sun protection creams
Sun protection is also prohibited. If you go for this option, you will need to organize this on the first day of arrival as the number of visitors permitted at any one time is very limited and you might end up not getting a place on a tour. High and low tide also play a role.
Make clear what you want to see
A final note on tours. It depends what you want to experience during a visit of the island. I had expressed my desire to go snorkeling wherever possible and this is what I got. Make sure that you specify that when booking the tour as I have seen other groups that did not go snorkeling and did not do much hiking.
Have an early start
Another important point is to make sure you get started on your tour rather early. Otherwise, the places visited get rather crowded and you might miss out on seeing turtles, stingrays etc. However, low and high tides very much determine the timing of the tour.
THINGS TO DO ON YOUR OWN
RENTING A BUGGY
This is a great option as, obviously, you are free to go where ever you want and you have your wheels for going out in the evening instead of taking an expensive taxi.
PRAIA BIBOCA
A visit to Praia Biboca is also worth the effort. It is very close to the main, very small port of the island. Normally, one would not go to the port for a swim but this is different here. There is a small establishment offering umbrellas and chairs, a restaurant and little clothing shop nearby. It is possible to arrange for some Hawaiian style paddling in the bay.
PRAIA DO CACHORRO
Walking distance from Vila dos Remedios is Praia do Cachorro which also has a small establishment. In between the rocks on the beach, there is a tiny natural pool. It appears that the thing to do is to jump from the rocks into the pool – you better have a very good aim.
JUST TAKING A WALK
I think, what I really enjoyed was my extended walk on the interconnected beaches. They seem to be endless and very much deserted. I guess, this is why international stars come incognito to the island once in a while. Same goes for honeymooners that want to be just by themselves.
On the walk, you will also encounter a number of places where to hang out, see the sunset, have a drink.
SCUBA DIVING IN FERNANDO DE NORONHA
Scuba diving is one of the main attractions of the island. I used Atlantis Divers and was very satisfied with the provided equipment and their service offered. I went for two dives which amounted to 800 BRL (some 240 Euros). But check out my post on my experience with them.
SURFING IN FERNANDO DE NORONHA
From December to April, Praia da Cacimba do Padre (Priests Water Well Beach) has tube waves similar to the Hawaiian ones and the beach is considered as ideal spot for wave and body surfing. In fact, it appeared to me that a number of locals are very much into surfing.
The beach is part of the TAMAR project which is involved in protecting and researching marine turtles during their hitching period (Dec to Jun). Access to the beach is prohibited from 8pm to 8am.
As already mentioned, Fernando de Noronha has an official website which has some good info for you to check.
I have done several posts on Fernando de Noronha. They include my tips and info on Noronha, things to do, eating out, scuba diving and a general post on Fernando de Noronha
Enjoy the read!
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