Open Water Fernando de Noronha Diving Course

Absolutely! If you’ve never dived, you can experience the Discovery Scuba Diving program, guided by an instructor. Before diving, you’ll receive a quick lesson during navigation, covering all the instructions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Yes, there are both relative and absolute restrictions. Before you dive, you’ll complete a health assessment questionnaire to determine your eligibility.

Dive spots are chosen daily based on what the sea and our divers are like. The ICMBio, our environmental authority, makes sure we stick to the rules and do things right for the environment.

Discovery Scuba Diving: You’ll be underwater for about 30 minutes, but you can come up at any time by signaling your instructor.

Certified Divers: Each dive lasts about 30 to 50 minutes, depending on depth and air consumption.

Dive tours usually include two dives at different spots.

Fernando de Noronha is home to an amazing variety of marine life. You’ll find vibrant corals, sponges, algae, and different species of fish, crustaceans, and octopuses. You might even spot larger species like turtles, rays, sharks, moray eels, and even dolphins.

The underwater landscape, with its rocky shores, canyons, and caves, adds to the incredible experience.

No, you need to wait at least 12 hours after your last dive before you fly. It’s just a safety thing.

Yes, as long as you keep your meal light and stay hydrated throughout the day.

Discovery Scuba Diving: You can bring your camera, but please don’t disrupt the experience. Just a heads-up, instructors can’t take photos for you.

Certified Divers: You’re welcome to bring your camera for underwater photography, which is a great way to capture marine life.

Not at all. The well-balanced ecosystem in Noronha ensures that no marine animals pose a threat to divers, provided you follow the rule of not touching the wildlife.

Fernando de Noronha is a great place to dive year-round. The water is around 27°C and visibility is between 25 and 40 meters. There are usually calm seas from March to July.

If it’s windy (August to September) or there are swells (November to March), visibility might be a little lower, but it’s still a good time to dive. Read the complete article for more information.

Discovery Scuba Diving and Open Water Courses have a minimum age of 10, and Certified Divers’ Boats are only for kids aged 8 and up.

The best time for diving in Fernando de Noronha is from March to July, when the seas are calm and visibility can reach up to 40 meters. The water temperature remains comfortable year-round at around 27°C, making it a great destination for divers all year long.
However, during the windy season (August–September) and swelling months (November–March), visibility may be slightly reduced, but it’s still a good time to dive due to the diverse marine life.

👉 Check the best time to visit Fernando de Noronha for diving

The fastest and most common way to reach Fernando de Noronha is by plane. Until recently, the island was only serviced by daily flights from Recife (REC) and weekly flights from Natal (NAT). Since 2024, LATAM has also operated direct flights from São Paulo’s Guarulhos Airport (GRU), with five weekly frequencies (Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays). The flight takes about 3h50.

For international travelers, Guarulhos (GRU) is Brazil’s largest airport and a major hub for connecting flights from Europe, the US, and other continents. If you’re coming from Europe, Lisbon (LIS) offers direct flights to Recife and Natal, while travelers from the US can easily connect through São Paulo.

You can also reach the island by boat, but there are no regular ferry services. Some cruises and private yachts do stop at Fernando de Noronha, but these are rare and usually part of longer itineraries.

Fernando de Noronha is renowned for its underwater biodiversity, and there are 22 stunning dive sites to explore. Some of the most popular include:

• Caverna da Sapata: Famous for its underwater caves and rocky formations, home to various marine species.
• Ilha do Meio: A perfect site to swim with turtles, rays, and moray eels.
• Laje Dois Irmãos: Ideal for those seeking to dive around its massive rock formations and vibrant coral reefs.

Other great spots include Baía dos Porcos, Atalaia, and Morro do Pico, each offering unique underwater experiences.

👉 Explore the best diving spots in Fernando de Noronha

To experience the highlights of Fernando de Noronha, at least 4 days are recommended. This allows you to visit the main beaches, dive spots, and hiking trails, as well as take a boat tour around the island. If you’re a diving enthusiast, a 5-day trip will give you the chance to fully immerse yourself in the underwater wonders.

With 6 days or more, you can explore less-visited places, like Poço Azul, and enjoy a slower pace, adding cultural visits or longer hikes like the Atalaia trail. The island’s small size allows for a more relaxed pace if you have additional days.

When packing for your trip to Fernando de Noronha, it’s important to prioritize comfort, sun protection, and essentials for both diving and hiking. Here’s what you should bring:

• Long-sleeved T-shirts with UV protection
• Light trekking pants or leggings
• Trekking boots or sneakers with good grip
• Water shoes or extra sneakers (for beach activities and swimming)
• Snorkel, diving mask, and fins (for snorkeling and shallow dives)
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Hat or cap, sunglasses
• Swimwear and light clothes
• Small backpack (up to 20L) for day trips
• Water bottle or canteen
• Light jacket (from May to September) or Raincoat (October to April)

For those planning to dive or snorkel, bringing your own diving mask, snorkel, and fins will save time and ensure the best fit for underwater exploration. However, if you don’t have these, they are available for rent on the island.

Since the island’s infrastructure is limited, it’s also a good idea to bring some snacks and personal items, as some items might be more expensive or harder to find on the island.

👉 See what you need to bring to Fernando de Noronha to be fully prepared and other important information