Copernico - Fernando de Noronha
Haipe Reef is one of those Solomon Islands spots that just feels right, especially first thing in the morning when the light hits the wall. It’s a 30-minute boat ride from Munda, out to the wilder west coast of Rendova, and it’s well worth the journey. We love the way the reef drops away, a proper sloping wall adorned with serious hard coral bommies that have clearly been growing for centuries, mixed with bursts of soft coral colour. The visibility here often hits 25 metres, sometimes more, giving you a chance to spot the resident bumphead parrotfish as they cruise by in their dozens, completely unfazed. Keep an eye out for turtles too; they’re pretty common. For the macro enthusiasts, we’ve found everything from tiny blennies like the Chestnut and Red-streaked, tucked into crevices, to the more elusive Carnelian Cowry. We’ve even seen the odd manta ray glide past when there's a gentle current running. It's a relaxed drift, perfectly suited for anyone who appreciates healthy coral and wants to take their time exploring the small stuff without feeling rushed.
- Location
- Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, South America
- Coordinates
- -7.705300, -34.657300
- 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 (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)
Nearest Dive Centres to Copernico
- 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 Copernico
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