Fernando de Noronha: a new Ibiza?

[Cayuse51]

As a follow up, I would recommend stopping for a couple of days at Devil's Island, French Guiana as you make your way back to the Caribbean. It is a very pretty island with a brutal history. Thousands of people died there over 100 year period. You don't have to check in or out either if you stop for just a few days. They clear the island and anchorage for a rocket launch on the mainland so check the Guiana Space Center schedule.

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by Cayuse51

As a follow up, I would recommend stopping for a couple of days at Devil's Island, French Guiana as you make your way back to the Caribbean. It is a very pretty island with a brutal history. Thousands of people died there over 100 year period. You don't have to check in or out either if you stop for just a few days. They clear the island and anchorage for a rocket launch on the mainland so check the Guiana Space Center schedule.

Planning on stopping there in approx 8 days, your the second person in the last hour that has suggested we stop there.

I'm also told there's a restaurant, which is always great after a passage.

[daletournier]

Oh, and I just downloaded the book "papion" to read while on the way, seemed appropriate.

[Gulliver 2]

Hello you all!
Just bump in your post and had to comment a few words about things written up there. By the way, This is a brazilian speeking, I've been two times to Fernando de Noronha (regatas) and cruising to Abrolhos.
1. Staying in the island is not cheap cause its a natural sanctuary very very busy by tourists, so they restricted acces and things in a remote island cannot be cheap (logistics). Galapagos its not cheap, Easter Island either.
2. The prices you mentioned to dive, maybe diving lessons. If get by and look for diving equipments or classes in loco, you will discover much more cheeper prices.
3. Abrolhos and Fernando de Noronha are not comparable. Abrolhos has 1/10 the size, theres no airport, no hotels, no restaurants, nothing. People go there for a day dive. The anchorage is not safe for days. You cannot step on the beach without permit
4. Somebody said they charge for persons a board. The charge is the same the OP described as personal tax.
5. Another folk said its not possible to check in on the island, just mainland-true. But who the hell is going to sail the whole 3.500NM of the brazilian coast and is not gonna go to mainland? Galapagos you get to have a reservation!
6. Rolling Anchorage: in the south summer FN is surfers paradise, incredible waves. So dont go those months (november-march). Still, There maybe some sea breath as any open ocean anchorage, thats why remote islands are wild.
7. Anyway, its not cheap for brazilians (1 Real=4 us dollars) and theres plenty of them there visiting. You can have a whole meal for less than 10US dollars
best winds!

[Cayuse51]

Originally Posted by daletournier

Planning on stopping there in approx 8 days, your the second person in the last hour that has suggested we stop there.

I'm also told there's a restaurant, which is always great after a passage.

There is a very nice dock that you can use for your dinghy. There is a hotel at the top of the island that has a good bar and restaurant. We ate there both nights we were there. They like you to stop by earlier in the day to give them a heads up that you will be coming that night. Also, there are great walking trails around the island. The island is covered with agoutis and has many squirrel monkeys. If you have time, be sure to dinghy over to Ile Saint Joseph (the anchorage is next to Ile Saint Royale) and walk to the top. It is where the prisoners were held in solitary confinement. Very creepy place.

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by Cayuse51

There is a very nice dock that you can use for your dinghy. There is a hotel at the top of the island that has a good bar and restaurant. We ate there both nights we were there. They like you to stop by earlier in the day to give them a heads up that you will be coming that night. Also, there are great walking trails around the island. The island is covered with agoutis and has many squirrel monkeys. If you have time, be sure to dinghy over to Ile Saint Joseph (the anchorage is next to Ile Saint Royale) and walk to the top. It is where the prisoners were held in solitary confinement. Very creepy place.

Great, thanks for the info.

[comesatime]

SV Delos was there last year and posted some Youtube videos of it, here is a link to one:

https://youtu.be/yG8vkbhCRwk

[Emerald Sea]

We sailed into FeN in 2016 where our previous stop was Salvadore. We did a lot of research before hand. We were also advised to clear out in Salvador and to clear in again at FdN. Which we did. We stayed 12 days at anchor on the bay at the NE corner of the island. I recall it was a bit expensive however for us, it was worth the stop (approx USD1200 all in). We didn't have to pay any anchorage charges after the clearing in fees. Immigration/customs folks were very friendly, helpful. We landed our dinghy on the beach, pulled it up above high tide, and locked it to a tree (if I recall) while we explored the island - and asked one of the lifeguards (I think he was a lifeguard) to keep an eye on the boat. We never had any issues. The anchorage is a bit rolly at times (but were in a cat so not so bad!!). But its the only authorised anchorage for all yachts.

FdN is a paradise. National parks, great history and old fort, morro de pico, hikes, pristine land and water. Its fairly controlled so you can't just go off and do your own thing i.e. diving (bring your own equipment!). This is fine as its Brazils intention to keep tourism limited and controlled so as to reduce tourism damage. We rented a small jeep like car for a week which got us around. But there is a bus service too right outside the immigration office. Great food - plenty of restaurants and also a buffet type that we often frequented. One thing you must do is plan in advance your activities i.e. diving tours, etc as they fill up and are limited. I recall waiting 4-5 days to get in on a dive trip. We cleared-out (customs and immigration) before heading to Suriname.

A paradise not to be missed.

[Fore and Aft]

This family are loving it there.
https://schourup.net/2019/06/20/fern...1/#comment-394
Cheers