Fernando do Noronha
- j
- f
- m
- a
- m
- j
- j
- a
- s
- o
- n
- d
Positives
- Powerful tubing reefbreaks and beachbreaks
- Consistently offshore
- Untouched, wild environment
- Peaceful island vibe
Negatives
- Short surf season
- Difficult access
- Isolated island location
- Very expensive living costs
Fernando do Noronha surf travel guide
Surprisingly, Fernando de Noronha’s main source of swell is not from the S like most of Brazil, but from the North Atlantic lows that provide Europe with its surf. These swells have to march thousands of miles south, helped along by favourable winds and ocean currents. The island has had a colourful recent history, having been used as a battlefield, jail, air base and weather station, but has now become a tourist heaven for divers and surfers. It is never under 2ft during Dec-Feb, and swells last for 5-6 days. Like Hawaii, the island is the summit of a huge underwater volcano, rising 4.3km from the ocean floor. The surrounding deep water and lack of continental shelf allows the swells to hit with unimpeded speed and power, jacking up wave heights in the process. The SE-facing side of the island is too steep and mountainous for any surf, whereas the NW oriented coastline has perfect topography and offshore winds. The steeply sloping beaches make for some fast barrels, which sometimes tend toward the straighthander category, but are perfectly suited to bodyboarders and tube junkies.
Surf spots in Fernando do Noronha
Research the 10 surf breaks in Fernando do Noronha and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 10 breaks in Fernando do Noronha.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Fernando do Noronha
- jan
- feb
- mar
- apr
- may
- jun
- jul
- aug
- sep
- oct
- nov
- dec
Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 6,621,000
- Population
- 212,559,417
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- BRL
- Exchange rate
- $1 = 1.9 BRL BRL
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +55
- Dialing out
- 0014
- Emergencies
- 911
- Language
- Portuguese
Electricity
- Plug Type
- n
Visas
Visa free travel for nearly all nationalities for stays of up to 90 days.
Getting There
Many nationalities (Aus, USA, Can, India) need a 90 day Brazilian Tourist Visa before travelling (approx $160), while EU citizens can get it on arrival. There are three flights daily out to Fernando de Noronha (FEN) from Natal (350km/220mi; $245) and Recife (540km/335mi: $340rt) on the Brazilian mainland. Book well in advance with either GOL, TAM Linhas Aéreas or Azul Airlines, as the busy tourist season corresponds with the surf season. Gol take boards as part of your baggage allowance.
Getting Around
Fernando de Noronha is only 8km (5mi) long and 3km (2mi) wide, with lots of rough off-roading so a beach buggy (fr $100/d) or a motorbike is the way to go. Fuel is expensive. Ask at the harbour about renting boats to get to the more remote spots. There is a bus service which drives along BR-363, with detours to some villages. Bicycles can be rented from the Locadora Solimar, Vila dos Remédios and some pousadas.
Accommodation
There are over 70 pousadas (guesthouses) and most have full-board prices from $80/n/dbl to $500/n/dbl for Pousada Triboju. Food and drink wise you have a choice of either expensive imported items, (like beer), and cheap repetitive seafood served in the launchonetes.
Activities
An appreciation of nature and hiking will greatly enhance your enjoyment of the island. Aquatic life is very rich with fish, shark, dolphins, (swimming with them is not allowed, nor is spear fishing) and turtles as well as birds and big lizards. There is no nightlife on the island or urban entertainment (except during the competition), if there’s no surf then occupy yourself by hiking, snorkelling, fishing or diving.
Hazards & hassles
There are plenty of sharks, stingrays and moray eels around but they don’t pose much threat. In the wet season there are lots of mosquitoes. Be careful of sunburn and reef cuts.
Handy Hints
The island is a national park with a Nature Tax that favours shorter visits ($140/7d, $375/14d). In addition, there is a Ecological Tax or entrance ticket to the park that costs 65R$ ($32) for Brazilians and 130R$ ($65) for foreigners and is valid for ten days. There are few real locals, but Brazilians from the mainland stay here for weeks on end. Bring absolutely everything you need with you. Equipment is available, but like most goods on the island, it’s expensive.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.