The rock-cleft ladders
Down to the beach.
CCINTRA — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Adelano Lázaro — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Adelano Lázaro — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Andrei — CC BY 2.0
Baía do Sancho is the most famous beach of Fernando de Noronha, the volcanic islands far out in the Atlantic off northeastern Brazil, and TripAdvisor users have voted it the best beach in the world. Golden sand lies beneath tall, green cliffs, and the clear turquoise water is home to sea turtles and colourful fish. Getting down to the beach is an adventure in itself: narrow metal ladders inside a cleft in the rock, then stone steps to the sand. Lookouts on the clifftop overlook the bay, and snorkelling in its calm water is one of the island's finest experiences. The bay lies inside the national marine park, so a park ticket is required. It is closed at night from 18:00 to 6:00 between January and June, the turtle nesting season. Bring water, as services are few.
Down to the beach.
With turtles.
Over the bay.
Inner coast of Fernando de Noronha, inside the marine park
Through narrow metal ladders inside a cleft in the rock, then stone steps; the national marine park ticket is required.
