Fernando de Noronha is a relatively small place making movement around the island easy. The best way to reach Fernando de Noronha is by air, with three daily flights, two from Recife and one from Natal. The best way to get around the island is by hiring a buggy, motorcycle or bike, or simply just walking.
Hire a buggy; it's the best way to traverse the island's roads and reach its beautiful beaches!
Find below a list of transportation providers servicing Fernando de Noronha, along with some helpful information for travelling to, from and around Fernando de Noronha. We have listed some great tour options which are a great way to explore Fernando de Noronha and its surrounds. For information about travelling in Brazil, check out our Brazil Transportation Guide.
Fernando de Noronha Transportation Guide
Getting to Fernando de Noronha
By Air
Fernando de Noronha is connected by daily flights to the Brazilian cities of Recife and Natal. The flight duration from Recife to Noronha is one hour and fifteen minutes, covering a distance of 540km. From Natal, Noronha is at a distance of 350km and it takes one hour to get there.
Two airlines operate in Fernando de Noronha - Gol Airlines and Trip Airlines. Since there are limited flights and the demand is high, the air ticket prices are quite steep and you need to book way in advance. Only a limited number of visitors are allowed onto the islands at a time, a rule which is stringently followed by IBAMA, the local environment authority. In addition, an environment protection tax about $20 must be paid for each day's stay in the island. You can pay the tax in advance through the Official Fernando de Noronha Web Site .
You can contact the Fernando de Noronha Airport at (81) 3619-1311.
[read more] Flights to Brazil
The team at Trip Noronha, your local connection, provides airlines tickets for travellers. Trip Airlines do not accept international credit cards and our team can work this out for you. Just drop us an e-mail to info@noronhahotel-link.com .
By Water
There is no official water transportation to these islands, but if you do want to travel by water, one option would be to get on board a cruise that sails along the Brazilian coast. These cruises are organised between the months of November and February and some of them include a trip to Fernando de Noronha. You can also take private boats but they do not fall in the luxury category.
Port facilities are not up to the mark and there is only a small facility in the port which includes bathrooms and showers. Each recreational boat is required to communicate with the port authorities by using the VHF marine channel 12 or 16 for instructions. There are restrictions on anchorage and all boats must anchor outside the seawall protected area. Here too, the administration collects a preservation tax, in addition to the docking fee from both crew and passengers.
Although Noronha is not an official port of entry, cruising yachts on passage from or to Brazil are now permitted to make quick stops at the island. Most yachts anchor at the St Anthony Bay, which is off the breakwater and provides protection for the dinghy upon landing.
The port captain's office is on the shore and he is bound to check passports though he may not stamp them. All yachts must have a clearance from this office as well as the Guarda Territorial. He may even insist on a valid visa for Brazil. However, short visits are allowed even without a visa, but you definitely need one before you reach mainland Brazil. Since 2004, a fee has to be paid to the National Park also, the amount of which varies depending on the number of days you plan to stop over at the island.
Anchoring fees are collected upon arrival and are around US$30-40 for yachts over 10 metres and US$20 per day for yachts under 10 metres. The National Park fee is not collected for the first day. However, after that a charge about US$20 is levied per person per day. The captain of a vessel is not charged for the first four days.
Getting Around Fernando de Noronha
It is a good idea to use vehicles on the first few days of your holiday in Fernando de Noronha. This way you can familiarise yourself quickly with the topography of the archipelago and you can find out which beach to go to and which trail to take.
The dune buggy (pronounced ‘boo-gey' by the local people) is the main mode of transportation on this island. It is quite useful in these islands as there is just one main road and the other destinations can be accessed best by buggy.
This ride is an adventure and an experience in itself, as the buggies lack doors and have no fully functioning instruments like speedometers or gas gauges that other vehicles are equipped with. A flat rate of US $4 is charged by the dune buggy service. You can also rent one buggy during your stay, the rent of which varies from R$120-180 per day, depending on the season. While taking a ride in the buggy, do exercise caution as the roads are rugged and there may be a risk of an accident.
