Baixios de Jaguaribe - Fernando de Noronha
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.
- Location
- Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, South America
- Coordinates
- -7.743333, -34.796665
- Type
- reef
Marine Protected Area: Área De Proteção Ambiental De Santa Cruz
Best Time to Dive in Fernando de Noronha
The warmest water temperatures in Fernando de Noronha occur in April, averaging 29.1°C. The coolest conditions are in September at 26.9°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.1°C
- February: 28.6°C
- March: 28.9°C
- April: 29.1°C
- May: 28.7°C
- June: 28.2°C
- July: 27.4°C
- August: 27.0°C
- September: 26.9°C
- October: 27.1°C
- November: 27.6°C
- December: 27.9°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Fernando de Noronha
- Alvarenga
- Alvarenga - 15-30m (wreck)
- Alvarenga - 15-30m (cenote)
- Atlantis Divers
- Baixa Grande (reef)
- Baixa Grande - 5-12m (reef)
- Baixinha (reef)
- Baixinha (reef)
- Baixios de Jaguaribe - 5-15m (reef)
- Baixo de Fóra (reef)
- Baixo de Fóra - 5-20m (reef)
- Baixo do Japu - 5-20m (reef)
- Baixo do Japu (reef)
- Baixo do Rio do Fogo - 5-20m (reef)
- Baixo Grande (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to Baixios de Jaguaribe
- Aicá Diving
- Aquaticos Centro De Mergulho - ["PADI"]
- Atlantis Divers - PADI, SSI
- Let's Dive
- MIURAMAR - SSI
- Serrambi Resort - ["PADI"]
Marine Life in Fernando de Noronha
Home to 45 recorded species including 42 reef fish, 1 seagrass & algae, 1 hard corals, 1 other.
Notable Species
- Black-ear wrasse (Halichoeres poeyi) - Reef Fish
- Doctorfish (Acanthurus chirurgus) - Reef Fish
- Coney (Cephalopholis fulva) - Reef Fish
- Kwab (Sparisoma radians) - Reef Fish
- Grunt (Haemulon plumierii) - Reef Fish
- Agassiz's Parrotfish (Sparisoma frondosum) - Reef Fish
- Gray Parrotfish (Sparisoma axillare) - Reef Fish
- Brazilian wrasse (Halichoeres brasiliensis) - Reef Fish
- Angelfish (Pomacanthus paru) - Reef Fish
- Demoiselle (Stegastes fuscus) - Reef Fish
- Cook (Holocentrus adscensionis) - Reef Fish
- Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
- Sergeant-major (Abudefduf saxatilis) - Reef Fish
- Noronha wrasse (Thalassoma noronhanum) - Reef Fish
- Porkfish (Anisotremus virginicus) - Reef Fish
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- Spotted Goatfish (Pseudupeneus maculatus) - Reef Fish
- Hogfish (Bodianus rufus) - Reef Fish
- Shoalgrass (Halodule wrightii) - Seagrass & Algae
- Colon Goby (Coryphopterus dicrus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Baixios de Jaguaribe
Based on average water temperature of 28.0°C, currents 29 cm/s.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins (stiff blade recommended for strong currents)
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories