200 miles off the coast of Brazil lies an archipelago consisting of 21 inlets and islands. Both the archipelago and its main island go by the name Fernando de Noronha, which is believed to be a variation of the name of the merchant gifted the island by the Portuguese crown, Fernão de Loronha. The main island is the only inhabited land in the district and has numerous historical, cultural, and natural marvels. The surrounding islands are the visible parts of a submerged mountain range, a natural marvel in themselves. The South American island was even once visited over 300 years ago by the pirate known popularly as “Black Bart”. It’s no wonder that this entire area has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. This wondrous drop of land in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean has an endless array of stunning beaches and many sights that you cannot miss! 

1. An aerial view of the main island 

(Wikimedia Commons)  

2. A satellite image of the district of Fernando de Noronha 

(By NASA, Wikimedia Commons)  

3. Standing side by side are Do Meio and Conceição beaches   

(By photo pantai, Wikimedia Commons)  

Conceição beach 

(By dronepicr, Wikimedia Commons)  

4. The Two Brothers Rock (Morro Dois Irmãos), off the coast of the main island 

(By CCINTRA, Wikimedia Commons)  

(By Rosanetur, Wikimedia Commons)  

5. Fort of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios 

(By Carlos Scorzato, Wikimedia Commons)  

6. Sancho Bay 

(By Fabricio Ferreira Silva, Wikimedia Commons)  

(By CCINTRA, Wikimedia Commons)  

(By dronepicr, Wikimedia Commons)  

7. Praia do Cachorro (Cachorro Beach) 

(By Josadaik Alcântara Marques, Wikimedia Commons)  

8. The Landscape of Fernando de Noronha 

(By ricardo_p_alves, Wikimedia Commons)  

9. Looking at the main island and the submerged mountain range 

(Wikimedia Commons)  

10. Fernando de Noronha beach 

(By dronepicr, Wikimedia Commons)  

11. Cacimba do Padre beach

(By CCINTRA, Wikimedia Commons)  

(By Ricardo Polisel Alves, Wikimedia Commons)  

12. Ponta da Sapata 

(By A C Moraes, Wikimedia Commons)  

13. Morro Dois Irmãos, the Two Brothers Rock beach

(By Ricardo Polisel Alves, Wikimedia Commons)  

14. Fernando de Noronha Naturpool is a major destination for snorkeling 

(By dronepicr, Wikimedia Commons)  

(By CCINTRA, Wikimedia Commons)  

(By CCINTRA, Wikimedia Commons)  

The entire island is filled with ideal destinations for water activities. Just ask the Swiss Mountain Divers who came all the way from Zurich and got to swim with 13 tiger sharks in a single morning! 

15. A Baía dos Porcos, the Bay of Pigs 

(By jujunatrip.com, Wikimedia Commons)  

16. Morro do Pico, the highest peak in the region

(By Josadaik Alcântara Marques, Wikimedia Commons)  

17. Iconic ruins of a fort in Fernando de Noronha

(By Felipe Chaves Azzi, Wikimedia Commons)  

18. Vista do Mirante dos Golfinhos, also known as the Dolphins Viewpoint, an excellent place for spotting spinner dolphins popular to this area 

(By Rafa Tecchio, Wikimedia Commons)  

The main island also has a wide array of unique and fascinating wildlife, almost as picturesque as the landscape itself. 

19. Crustaceans sit on the rocks of Praia do Sanho, one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil

(By Rafa Tecchio, Wikimedia Commons)  

20. The hawksbill sea turtle swims in Praia do Sancho in Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park 

(By Rafa Tecchio, Wikimedia Commons)  

21. A frigatebird flies over the water in the Marine National Park 

(By LG Nyqvist, Wikimedia Commons)  

No trip to this luscious land of light and sand is complete without a good look at the stingrays, Tegu lizards and rock cavies the inhabit this paradise island.