Scuba Diving Fernando de Noronha Islands

Yes, if you have never dived before it is possible to do the Discovery Scuba Diving, and experience followed by an instructor. Before the dive you have a quick lesson, during navigation, where you have all the instructions to do the activity safely.

There are relative restrictions and absolute restrictions. A form with a health assessment questionnaire will determine whether or not the candidate is able to dive. You can see more about the dive restrictions on our Restrictions and Cancellation Policy page clicking here.

The dive sites are chosen according to the sea conditions and the level of experience of the divers on board. ICMBio, the environmental agency responsible for the Fernando de Noronha National Marine Park area, has the final decision on the rules and the number of boats at each dive site.

Discovery Scuba Diving: 30 minutes, once the diver goes below, but at any moment it is possible to come back to surface, you just have to signalize to your dive instructor.

Certified Divers: Each dive lasts around 30 to 50 minutes, depending on depth and air consumption for the dives. In each dive tour you have 2 separate dives, in 2 different spots.

Marine life in Fernando de Noronha is very diverse. A multitude of sponges, corals and algae cover the rocky bottom and add color to the dives. Hundreds of species of fish, small crustaceans and octopuses can be seen easily. In addition, large species such as turtles, sharks, rays, morays and even dolphins can appear at any time. Another aspect that makes Noronha one of the best places in the world for diving is the diversity of the submerged landscape such as rocky shores, canyons and caves that make diving always surprising.

No, it is necessary a minimum interval of 12 hours between your last dive and your flight.

Yes, as long as you have a light meal. Being well hydrated is also important.

Certified Divers: Yes, no problems. Noronha offers amazing opportunities for underwater photography.
Discovery Scuba Diving: You can bring a camera, but the use must be assessed if it will not impair the experience.
Note: The dive instructor can’t use it to take photos for you.

At Noronha the use of selfie sticks is forbidden, only small hand sticks.

No, the ecosystem at Noronha is very well balanced. No marine animal offers any risk to the divers, as long as the rule of “not touching the animals” is followed.

Noronha has good diving all year round, the average water temperature is 27º C and water visibility averages between 25 and 40 meters. But when is the best time to dive in Noronha?
There is a windy season (August/September) when the sea gets rougher and there can be suspension in the water, reducing visibility.
At the end of December and January, the sea is rougher in the Mar de Dentro, but we continue to dive on the other side with less wind (Mar de Fora).
On certain days of the year, the island is subject to the arrival of a swell, strong waves that usually last for one or two days and, during this period, there are usually better diving conditions in the Mar de Fora. This phenomenon usually only happens once or twice a year, and is most likely between November and March.
One of the best times to dive is from March to July, when it is common to find a calm sea on both sides of the island (inner and outer sea).

The minimum age is 10 years.

Yes, it is possible to accompany without diving, paying the companion fee. The presence of children unaccompanied by a guardian is not permitted on any of the boats. During the period on board, a guardian must remain with the child at all times (that is, if it is a couple, they cannot dive together at the same time). Children are considered passengers, non divers, up to 12 years old. The use of life jackets is mandatory.

Discovery Scuba Diving boats: Children of any age are allowed on board.

Certified Divers boat: Only children aged 8 and over are allowed to board.

The dive tours for Discovery Scuba and Certified divers are done in different boats.

The certified divers can choose to follow on the Discovery boat, but this tour will visit a dive spot with maximum depth of 12 meters, and they can do the 2 dives at the same dive spot.

A photographer goes on board and accompanies the divers, and the photos are available for purchase afterwards. The photos can be viewed in the dive store from Monday to Saturday, from 6pm to 8pm. The photos are digital and of high quality, and are loaded onto a smartphone or USB stick.

The diving spots are:

Cabeço da sapata – 42m
Caverna da Sapata – 29m
Corveta V17 – 62m
Laje 2 irmãos – 23m
Morro de Fora – 16m
Ilha do Meio – 16m
Ressurreta – 7m
Cagarras Rasa – 22m
Cagarras Funda – 33m
Buraco do Inferno – 16m
Cordilheira – 33m
Pontal do Norte – 42m
Cabeça das Cordas – 43m
Macaxeira – 40m
Buraco das Cabras – 16m
Caieiras – 17m
Pedras Secas – 17m
Frade – 23m
Trinta Réis – 22m
Cabeço Submarino – 23m
Iuias – 23m