Fernando De Noronha

I have now traveled to the most beautiful place on Earth.

Fernando De Noronha is about an hour's flight from Recife in North East Brazil. The main island is a  UNESCO heritage site-- so the government keeps strict control over the number of residents permitted to live on the island. And, all tourists must pay a preservation fee for the privilege of visiting.

It is an absolute honor to get the chance to visit this magical island. Noronha is the home of the most beautiful beach in Brazil, Praia Do Sancho.

But all the beaches here are beautiful-- with crystal clear blue/green water and an abundance of wild life. The highlight of my trip was my sea turtle encounter. There are so many sea turtles in these waters that it isn't uncommon to find one while snorkeling and these gentle creatures don't seem to be too disturbed by the humans swimming with them. We encountered sharks, rays and so many different species of fish.

 

The island is expensive. But we found a really cute, comfortable Pousada with ocean views called Alto Mar. 

I am having the hardest time editing my photos.  Every shot is breathtaking. There is a tour company near the port that rents underwater cameras and will put all your photos on a DVD for $25/day. And, I definitely recommend going without hiring a tour guide. You can find Alto Mar on booking.com or email the owner directly and once there, she will put you in touch with someone who rents buggys (the best way to get around the island since almost all the beach access roads are unpaved).