Fernando de Noronha
Brazil · Atlantic Ocean
Fernando de Noronha is a Brazilian archipelago 350km off the northeast coast — clear Atlantic water, resident spinner dolphins, reef sharks, turtles, and dramatic volcanic walls. Strict environmental controls keep numbers low.
How this reef is doing
ⓘ How we measure thisReef state
Volcanic archipelago, the most biodiverse stretch of Brazilian coastline. Reefs have been buffered by deep oceanic water.
Coral cover
Fish life
Heat
No unusual heat right now.
Fishing
Quiet water, and fishing is fully banned here.
Sources · MERMAID and partner coral surveys · NOAA Coral Reef Watch · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity
What you will see
19 species across the dive sites here
Johngarthia lagostoma
Seen 11 days ago
at Sapata
Endangered
Sally Lightfoot Crab
Seen 11 days ago
at Sapata
Sergeant Major
Seen 28 days ago
at Laje dos Dois Irmãos
Least concern
Lemon shark
Seen 1 month ago
at Sapata
Green turtle
Seen 1 month ago
at Pedras Secas
Least concern
Magnificent Frigatebird
Seen 1 month ago
at Sapata
Least concern
Chromis
Seen 2 months ago
at Laje dos Dois Irmãos
Least concern
Hawksbill turtle
Seen 2 months ago
at Sapata
Critically endangered
Caribbean reef shark
Seen 3 months ago
at Corveta V-17 Ipiranga
Endangered
Spinner dolphin
Seen 3 months ago
at Sapata
Least concern
Brain Coral
Seen year round
at Laje dos Dois Irmãos
Longlure Frogfish
Seen year round
at Laje dos Dois Irmãos
Least concern
Moray eel
Seen year round
at Pedras Secas
Oceanic Whitetip Shark
Seen year round
at Laje dos Dois Irmãos
Critically endangered
Queen Angelfish
Seen year round
at Laje dos Dois Irmãos
Least concern
Schooling jack
Seen year round
at Sapata
Bull Shark
Seasonal visitor
at Laje dos Dois Irmãos
Vulnerable
Frogfish
Rare sighting
at Pedras Secas
Manta ray
Rare sighting
at Corveta V-17 Ipiranga
Endangered
Dive sites
Sapata
lemon shark · spinner dolphin · hawksbill turtle · schooling jack
Pedras Secas
green turtle · spinner dolphin · frogfish · moray eel
Corveta V-17 Ipiranga
caribbean reef shark · lemon shark · schooling jack · hawksbill turtle
Laje dos Dois Irmãos
oceanic whitetip shark · bull shark · spinner dolphin · brain coral
What divers say
Brazil's most beautiful place to dive, by a long way. Dolphins on every boat ride.
Good to know
Daily fees
Environmental preservation fee + national marine park fee. Add up to $50–100/day.