Mercurius - Fernando de Noronha
Platax is a site that just feels different, a deep dive with a real sense of exploration. We often drop into the blue here, a slow descent with that deep Caribbean cobalt stretching out around you. The boot-shaped rock formation is your marker, leading you down to where the reef begins to unfold around 25 metres. We love how the light changes down here, a soft, filtered glow illuminating colossal barrel sponges and intricate black coral trees. You'll find generous stands of gorgonians too, swaying gently in the current, and we’ve often spotted eagle rays gliding past in the distance. The overlapping coral growth is truly impressive, a dense, layered ecosystem. For those comfortable with depth, Platax offers a quiet, profound dive experience, a place to really appreciate the scale of the Cousteau Reserve. Just remember your bottom time, because you'll want to soak in every moment.
- Location
- Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, South America
- Coordinates
- -8.062800, -34.619100
- Type
- reef
Marine Protected Area: Área De Relevante Interesse Ecológico Orla Marítima
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 Mercurius
- 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 Mercurius
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