A masterpiece of nature in all its splendor

The Florentine merchant Amerigo Vespucci first mentioned the uninhabited archipelago in 1503 during a Portuguese expedition.

Charles Darwin visited the island in 1832 and noted that the island was an impenetrable and tangled forest. For the English East India Company, Fernando de Noronha was a supply station on the way to England.

The island served as a penal colony from the late 18th century. In 1942, the US Air Force built an airfield, which was later taken over by the Brazilian government. Today it is the only airfield in Fernando de Noronha. In 1988, 70% of the archipelago was declared a marine national park and in 2001 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Fernando de Noronha is a top spot for divers. Visibility in the warm water is up to 50 meters. Over 30 diving spots delight beginners and experts.

A hike to the highest point on the island offers a wonderful view. Along the climb you can see the postcard motif Morro Dois Irmãos. There is a lighthouse on the summit of Morro do Pico (351 meters above sea level). The sunset there is spectacular.

Another highlight is Baía dos Golfinhos, with the largest concentration of dolphins in the world. The cliffs are impressive and provide nesting sites for birds, while dolphins jump between the waves in the sea.

Fernando de Noronha has once again won the title of the most beautiful beach in the world. In September, TripAdvisor voted Baía do Sancho the "most beautiful beach in the world". With 99 percent positive reviews, it ranks first. The crescent-shaped bay impresses with white sand, clear water and picturesque rock formations. The underwater world is perfect for diving or snorkeling to see turtles, colorful fish and coral reefs.

Surfers flock to the beaches of Cacimba do Padre, Boldró and Conceição, especially between December and February, where they want to ride the waves that are up to five meters high. The volcanic island attracts many because it has no continental shelf that reduces the swell.