The South Atlantic's largest marine sanctuary harbors sharks, rays, and sea turtles in waters protected since 1988. Spinner dolphins gather by the hundreds in a bay. A refuge in otherwise depleted seas.
Eduardo Muruci, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
An Oceanic Oasis
The Fernando de Noronha archipelago is the visible part of a submerged volcanic mountain chain, rising from depths of 4,000 meters. Located 354 kilometers off Brazil's northeastern coast, this group of 21 islands and islets is an important conservation area. In 1988, the Brazilian government designated 70% of the archipelago as the Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park, covering an area of 10,927 hectares. The park was created to preserve its exceptional marine and terrestrial ecosystems. In 2001, UNESCO designated it a World Heritage UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site, citing its role as a feeding ground for tuna, sharks, and marine turtles, and its exceptional population of resident dolphins.
The reserve's waters are important for marine life in the otherwise nutrient-poor South Atlantic. It is an important stopover and breeding ground for many species. This biodiversity is supported by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), which manages the park and enforces strict regulations to balance conservation with limited ecotourism.
Dolphins by Day, Sharks by Night
A major feature of the reserve is the Baía dos Golfinhos, or Dolphin Bay. This sheltered cove hosts the largest known concentration of resident spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) in the world. Groups numbering up to 2,000 individuals have been recorded entering the bay during the day to rest and socialize for their young. This behavior is a daily cycle: they spend their nights hunting for fish and squid in the deep offshore waters and return to the bay's protection at dawn. To protect this unique gathering, boat traffic and swimming in the bay are prohibited; observation is restricted to a designated clifftop viewpoint.
The reserve is also a significant habitat for elasmobranchs. It is a nursery area for the lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris), with pups and juveniles found in the shallow waters of Sueste Bay. These young sharks feed on schools of sardines close to shore. Other species like the Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi) and nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) are also resident. The reserve is a feeding and nesting site for two sea turtle species: the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). The conservation group Projeto TAMAR has a permanent base here, monitoring the turtles and protecting their nests.
💡Fun Facts
The archipelago hosts the largest concentration of tropical seabirds in the Western Atlantic, including large colonies of masked boobies (*Sula dactylatra*) and brown noddies (*Anous stolidus*).
The islands host two endemic land birds, the Noronha vireo (*Vireo gracilirostris*) and the Noronha elaenia (*Elaenia ridleyana*), found nowhere else on Earth.
Two endemic reptile species, the Noronha skink (*Trachylepis atlantica*) and the Noronha worm lizard (*Amphisbaena ridleyi*), also inhabit the islands.
Due to its isolation, the main island was used as a political prison from the 18th century until 1957.
The park is generally open daily. Specific beaches and trails within the National Park may have restricted hours or require scheduled entry to limit visitor numbers.
Admission
All non-resident visitors must pay an Environmental Preservation Tax (TPA) for each day of their stay. As of early 2026, this tax is R$105.79 per day. Access to the Marine National Park areas requires a separate 10-day ticket, costing R$192 for Brazilians and R$384 for foreigners as of late 2025.
Accessibility
The main village has some paved areas, but access to most beaches and trails involves sandy paths, stone steps, and uneven terrain, which can be challenging for visitors with mobility issues.
