Diving in Fernando de Noronha
Why dive here
Fernando de Noronha offers some of Brazil's richest diving, with 44+ marine species recorded in the area - including sea turtles. Water ranges 27-29°C, warmest March, April, May.
Fernando de Noronha feels like the whole ocean just exhales here. It’s an intermediate diver’s dream, mainly because of the strong currents that often sweep through, but the reward is immense. We love drifting past pinnacles and submerged reefs, the visibility often reaching 30 meters or more, which is just spectacular for Brazil. Our favourite dive is the wreck of the Corveta Ipiranga, which sank in 1983 and now hosts an incredible array of life. Expect to see big schools of Caesar and Doctorfish, sometimes so thick they obscure the wreck itself. Green turtles are common, just cruising by, completely unfazed. If you time it right, early mornings are best for spotting the famous spinner dolphins. They put on an aerial show you won’t forget, though we generally leave them to their natural behaviour and just enjoy the spectacle from the boat. Fernando de Noronha isn't for the absolute beginner, but if you're comfortable with a bit of current, you’ll be rewarded with some of Brazil’s most vibrant and pristine underwater landscapes. It’s a place that just feels wild and untouched.
Fernando de Noronha Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Fernando de Noronha
Fernando de Noronha Dive Sites
98 dive sites in Fernando de Noronha
Alvarenga
El Pit. What a place. If you're coming to the Yucatán for cenote diving, this one needs to be high on your list, especially if you love a good light show. We've been back multiple times, and it never gets old. The entry itself is a bit of a hike down slippery steps, so we always wear boots. Once you're in, though, you drop into this deep, open cavern, not really an overhead environment, which is nice. The real magic starts around 12-15 metres, where you hit the halocline. It shimmers, blurring everything for a moment, then you're through it and into salt water. Below that, at about 27-30 metres, you hit the hydrogen sulfide cloud. It looks like an ethereal, misty lake, completely disorienting and beautiful. Above the cloud, the beams of sunlight cutting through the water from the entrance are just insane, especially mid-morning. It's less about the critters here, though you might spot a few small freshwater fish near the surface or a shy brotula deeper down. This dive is all about the formations, the light, and that otherworldly cloud. We always feel like we’re floating through a sci-fi movie. It's a proper deep dive, but the open nature of it makes it approachable for anyone comfortable with depth.
Alvarenga
Alvarenga offers a straightforward dive in Fernando de Noronha, suitable for divers looking for a relaxed exploration. Expect to see the common reef fish of the area, like parrotfish and surgeonfish, alongside a scattering of moray eels tucked into crevices. It’s a good spot if you’re after a pleasant dive without any particular challenges, a chance to simply enjoy being underwater.
Alvarenga
Alvarenga is a fascinating wreck, and for us, it's a solid choice if you're looking for something a bit different in Noronha. This isn't some perfectly preserved ghost ship; it's the remains of an old iron frigate that went down over a century ago. You drop onto a seabed at around 19 meters, and there it is – the scattered, but still substantial, hull of the Alvarenga. We love finning slowly around the twisted metal, imagining the rigging and sails that once propelled it. It feels genuinely historical. Visibility here averages about 12 meters, sometimes a touch more, which gives the whole scene a wonderfully atmospheric, slightly moody feel. Inside the larger sections, you’ll find schools of Atlantic thread herring swirling, a silver curtain against the dark iron. Keep an eye out for green turtles, they often glide past the wreck, using it as a landmark. It's a relaxed dive, suitable for most divers looking for a glimpse into the past, and a chance to see how nature reclaims man-made structures.
Atlantis Divers
Atlantis Divers, a site we always make time for in Fernando de Noronha, genuinely feels like diving into another world. The clear water, often 30 metres plus visibility, lets you see the distinct rock formations here from a distance. As you descend, the light plays through these crevices, creating dramatic shadows where you often find nurse sharks resting. Our favourite encounters here are the resident lemon sharks, often patrolling the edges of the reef, and the surprisingly active coney, darting between corals. The reef itself, a mix of rock and coral, hosts a surprising number of smaller creatures too. Keep an eye out for the delicate harlequin brittle stars tucked away, or the slender parrotfish grazing on the massive starlet corals. We’ve also seen mahi-mahi cruise past in the blue, though that’s more a lucky bonus. This site is great for divers who appreciate dramatic topography and don't mind a little current, which can sometimes pick up, making it a drift dive. It’s a good spot for photography, especially with the clarity.
Baixa Grande
Scout Reef in Québec offers a different kind of dive. It's not your typical tropical coral, but an active freshwater ecosystem, complete with burbot lurking near the bottom and schools of yellow perch darting through the clearer patches. We've seen Chinook salmon here, a real treat to observe in their natural environment. The visibility can be variable, but when it’s good, the sheer number of fish, like the silvery flash of spottail shiners, is impressive. It’s a compelling site for divers keen on observing temperate water species and those looking for a unique Canadian freshwater experience.
Baixa Grande
Baixa Grande is one of Fernando de Noronha's noteworthy reef dives. The coral structures here are impressive, often attracting a good variety of reef fish. It’s a solid choice for a relaxing afternoon dive, suitable for divers who appreciate a healthy reef environment without needing big pelagics. We’d suggest it for an easy second or third dive of the day.
Baixinha
Baixinha offers a solid dive on a substantial coral reef in Fernando de Noronha. We’ve seen a good variety of reef fish here, from parrotfish munching on coral to schools of snapper hugging the deeper sections. It’s a pretty straightforward dive, suitable for most experience levels looking for a classic Noronha reef encounter without too much fuss.
Baixinha
Scotchie Reef, nestled in Québec’s waters, offers a different kind of dive experience. Forget tropical corals; here, it’s about freshwater species and a unique ecosystem. We've often found ourselves drifting along, spotting schools of Spottail Shiners darting past, or catching a glimpse of a stealthy burbot hiding amongst the rocks. It’s a site that rewards patience, perfect for divers who appreciate the subtler beauty of a freshwater reef and are keen to tick off some unusual species from their logbook.
Baixios de Jaguaribe
Schooner Reef is one of those spots that really shines in the Pacific Northwest, and honestly, we think it’s often overlooked. Dropping down, you hit a dynamic reef structure, not exactly a coral reef like the tropics, but a rough, rocky landscape absolutely carpeted in anemones and sponges. It’s cold water diving at its finest, a true sensory experience as the light filters through the green water. We’ve had some cracking dives here, navigating through kelp forests that sway with the surge, always keeping an eye out for the resident Spiny Dogfish patrolling the deeper sections. Look closely in the cracks and you'll spot Roughpatch and Sidestriped Shrimp darting about, and if you’re patient, a Grooved Mussel Crab might just peek out. Our favourite is finding the Plainfin Midshipman, hunkered down, practically glowing. The big draw here is the chance for larger pelagics too; we've seen schools of Pacific herring so dense they create a shimmering wall, and on rare occasions, a fleeting glimpse of an Orca passing through the deeper channels. It’s a site that rewards slow, deliberate diving, perfect for macro enthusiasts and photographers who don’t mind a bit of a current. Best dived on a slack tide, otherwise, you'll be working for it, but even then, the sheer volume of life makes it worthwhile.
Baixios de Jaguaribe
Baixios de Jaguaribe is a solid coral reef dive in Fernando de Noronha. We've often found ourselves in decent current here, drifting past colourful hard corals and plenty of reef fish. It’s a good spot for a relaxed drift, especially if you're looking to see some of the common Noronha residents like surgeonfish and parrotfish. Not a deep dive, making it suitable for all experience levels.
Baixo de Fóra
Baixo de Fóra offers a solid dive experience in Fernando de Noronha. It’s a significant coral reef, known for a good showing of local species. We generally find a mix of the usual suspects here, making it a reliable spot for a relaxed dive. Good for those looking to enjoy a typical Noronha reef without too much fuss.
Baixo de Fóra
Pompey Reef, out in the Coral Sea, always feels like a proper expedition. It’s that blue water diving, a long way from anywhere, and it tends to deliver. We've found the visibility here to be consistently excellent, often pushing 30 metres, which lets you really appreciate the scale of the place. The corals are what we notice first, particularly the massive plate and staghorn formations that stretch out as far as you can see. It feels ancient. Keep an eye out for the big pelagics cruising by; we’ve had some cracking encounters with whitetip reef sharks here, often just hanging out in the current. Bumphead parrotfish are pretty much a given, usually in small schools, chomping away at the coral. We also love spotting the more unusual reef fish, like the Meredith's Angelfish, which are surprisingly common here. It’s a site that rewards patience, letting you drift and absorb the sheer volume of life. Go in the morning; the light hitting those massive coral structures is something else.
Fernando de Noronha Dive Centres
6 dive shops and operators in Fernando de Noronha
Ocean Wildlife in Fernando de Noronha
44 species recorded in Fernando de Noronha
Fernando de Noronha Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Fernando de Noronha, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
06:26
Sunset
18:21
Daylight
11h 55m
Golden Hour
17:53
First light (dawn) at 06:05 · Last light (dusk) at 18:42
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:15 | 18:45 | 12h 30m |
| Feb | 06:25 | 18:45 | 12h 20m |
| Mar | 06:25 | 18:35 | 12h 9m |
| Apr | 06:22 | 18:19 | 11h 57m |
| May | 06:24 | 18:11 | 11h 47m |
| JunShortest | 06:30 | 18:12 | 11h 42m |
| Jul | 06:34 | 18:18 | 11h 44m |
| AugNow | 06:30 | 18:22 | 11h 52m |
| Sep | 06:15 | 18:18 | 12h 3m |
| Oct | 05:59 | 18:14 | 12h 15m |
| Nov | 05:52 | 18:19 | 12h 26m |
| DecLongest | 05:59 | 18:32 | 12h 33m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Fernando de Noronha.
Where to Stay near Fernando de Noronha
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Marine Protected Areas near Fernando de Noronha
13 protected areas near Fernando de Noronha - please respect local regulations when diving
Área De Proteção Ambiental Marinha Recifes Serrambi
Área De Proteção Ambiental Naufrágio Queimado
Área De Proteção Ambiental De Santa Cruz
Área De Proteção Ambiental De Guadalupe
Área De Proteção Ambiental Barra Do Rio Mamanguape
Reserva Extrativista Acaú-Goiana
Área De Relevante Interesse Ecológico Orla Marítima
Parque Natural Municipal Do Forte De Tamandare
Parque Estadual Marinho De Areia Vermelha
Arie Lagoa Azul
Área De Relevante Interesse Ecológico São Miguel
Floresta Nacional Da Restinga De Cabedelo
Showing 12 largest of 13
Getting to Fernando de Noronha
João Pessoa
Recife
Natal
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