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In Guia Quatro Rodas Praias, Brazil’s official guide to the country’s best beaches, three of the top five shores can be found in Fernando de Noronha, a fact that speaks volumes to the region’s immense beauty. Noronha – as it’s often shortened too – takes its name from the largest of the 21 islands that make up the volcanic archipelago and is Brazil’s very own slice of paradise. Here are some of the most picture-perfect beaches in Fernando de Noronha.

Praia do Sancho

With pure white sand, turquoise sea, and a curved frame of dramatic rocky cliffs covered in tufts of green vegetation, this picturesque beach seems almost too good to true. It’s little wonder then that Praia do Sancho beach is often ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Praia do Sancho

Baia dos Porcos

While Praia do Sancho is regarded among the best of Noronha’s beaches, it’s Baia dos Porcos that is one of the most photographed thanks to its striking landscape. The bay gets its good looks from the rocky peaks that rise from the crystal clear waters that lap around the small, golden shore. Getting there requires a scramble up and over the stony formations that frame the beach but its worth it to take a dip in the warm water and swim among the marine life – just don’t forget your snorkel.

Baia dos Porcos

Praia da Atalaia

It’s not so easy to get to Praia da Atalaia – you need special visitor permits – and even when you get there, you are bounded by strict regulations (such as no diving with any kind of sun block) yet it’s these tight restrictions that make this beach so worthwhile. Protected by the marine national park laws, Atalaia is wild, untouched and only a certain amount of people can visit per day. When the tide is low, the waters become shallow and crystal clear, turning the sea into a natural aquarium of tropical fish, crustaceans, and octopus.

Praia de Atalaia

Beach Boldró

If a wide stretch of golden sand lapped by warm turquoise waters and framed by thickets of vegetation that explodes into a green mass after a rainfall aren’t reason enough to visit Beach Boldró, then the sunset in the evening should be. Its fame as the best spot on the island to watch the sun go down behind the watery horizon is well-deserved and promises to be up their in the best sunsets you’ll probably ever see.

Beach Boldro

Praia da Cacimba do Padre

At 900 meters long, Praia da Cacimba do Padres is one of the longest beaches on the island and with its rich golden sand and the Two Brothers peaks jutting out of the translucent green waters, it’s undeniably eye-catching. Yet it’s not just a pretty face – it’s also one of the best surfing spots in Noronha with large waves forming neat tubes that earn this beach the nickname, the Hawaii of Brazil.

Praia da Cacimba do Padres

Baia do Sueste

Slip into the calm, warm waters at Baia do Sueste to snorkel among some of the island’s most marine life-rich spots with a delicate ecosystem that helps sustain the population of sea turtles that thrive there. The long pearly beach entices visitors into lazy afternoons of soaking up the sun’s warmth or exploring the crops of trees and vegetation that surround the shore.

Baia do Sueste

Praia do Leão

Praia do Leão – Lion Beach – ranks alongside Praia do Sancho and Baia dos Porcos as Fernando de Noronha’s most beautiful beach and it’s not hard to see why. The silky sand beach bathes toes in what feels like soft powder and the turquoise ocean glistens like a jewel. The beach takes its name from the semi-submerged rock just across from the shore shaped like a crouching lion and is also famous for having the highest concentration of nesting turtles at certain times of the year.

Praia do Leao

About the author

Sarah is a British freelance journalist and writer based in Rio de Janeiro. Her favourite travel experiences so far include swimming with whale sharks in Mexico, trekking through Rio's urban forest and enjoying the city life in Madrid. Find her on Instagram @sbgrio

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