Tips on Fernando de Noronha

This tiny Brasilian island enjoys tropical climate due to its vicinity to the equator so it is warm all year around. It has a protected marine areas and a national park.

Flights to Fernando de Noronha

The only way to reach this Brazilian Island is with a plane. The Brazilian airliner Azul has daily direct flights from Natal and Recife in the North East of Brazil. If you happen to be in the South of Brazil, you will have to pass through one of these towns.

Another airline serving the island is  GOL. It depends which your departure point is to determine the best option for you.

Everything gets flown or shipped

Being a tiny island in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, everything needs to be flown or shipped in. So, expect things to be more expensive and the choice of items very limited. People do not travel to Fernando de Noronha to go on a shopping spree. On the contrary, they travel there because of its remoteness. It is known that a number of celebrities visited incognito.

Most important cloths to bring

Dress code is very casual. Most important items are probably a swim suit, sun cream, sunglasses, hat. However, I believe, it is always good to have something a bit special in your suitcase … just in case.

Environmental friendly sunscreen

If you want to snorkel in one of the marine parks, you need to have an environmental friendly sunscreen. This is to protect the marine fauna and flora.

Snorkelling and diving equipment on this Brazilian Island

Snorkelling and diving equipment can easily be rented for a modest price. After all, these are among the main attractions to this Brazilian island.

Mosquito repellent

During the raining season, there are plenty of mosquitoes, so don’t forget your preferred deterrent

Best time to Fernando de Noronha

A local guy told me that the best period to come to the island is around June/July to find a very calm and flat see. On my comment that this is normally the raining season, he just said that it had not rained in Noronha for the past nine years.

Swim with caution

An important tips I want to give is to swim with caution. I did go into the water at Praia da Conceicao but I do have to admit that, even though being very confident in the water, I struggled to cope with rather large and hefty waves. After I finally managed to get back onto the beach I understood why I was the only one in the water.

Taxes in Fernando de Noronha

On arrival, you will have to pay the Environmental Protection Tax at the airport based on how many nights you will be on the island. I found it quite expensive.

Environmental Preservation Fee

If you intend to tour the island and go to the various marine parks, you will need to pay the Environmental Preservation Fee. There are a number of offices around. I got my pass in the little yellow house in Flamboyant square.It gets its name for all those beautiful trees around.  You can actually spot the tiny office in the photo. I was lucky to be on the island this time around as the trees were in full blossom.

noronha, flamboyant park

The entrance door is on the back of the little house i.e. not facing the park. It opens sometime between 3 and 4 pm.

I was waiting at the front door before I realized that the little office/kiosk was at the back of the building.

Getting the pass online

Check out the official website of Noronha as you can get your pass online. However, you will still need to pass by the office to get it. Bring your passport along!

Taxis in Fernando de Noronha

Taxis cost 23 Real whether your ride is 1 minute or all the way to the other end of the (tiny) Island. On the other hand, as the island is very hilly and with many unlit spots during the night hours I ended up taking a taxi several times.

Public transportation on this Brazilian island

Another way to get around is to take the public bus that runs from one end of the island to the other. It is very cheap. Drawback is that it only runs on the main road which means that you will have to do quite some walking to get to the beaches. And, it is hot!

Buggy in Fernando de Noronha

Another way to visit the island is renting a self-drive buggy. It is probably the best option. There is only one main paved road on the island. All the other ones are dirt roads with very little directions.

buggy on noronha

Getting a bit lost self driving

So, if you self-drive, do have a map with you (available everywhere) and be prepared to getting a bit lost.

But no harm, the island is so small that eventually you will get to where you want to go. Hence, the map is important.

Costs of renting a buggy

Renting a buggy will amount to something between 200-250 Real per day. There is the option to hire a buggy with a driver. Ask at your accommodation and they will come up with some contacts.

Tip on eating out in Fernando de Noronha

One option to eat is in restaurants where you pay your food by weight (by the way, very common in Brazil). This is the most economical method for plenty food and you will pay around 15-20 Euros. Otherwise, count between 30-80 Euros per meal per person.

But check out my post on places to eat and hang out which I have visited personally on the island.

I have done several posts on Fernando de Noronha. They include things to do, eating out, scuba diving and a general post on Fernando de Noronha 

Enjoy the read!