Fernando de Noronha
Dive to shipwrecks and underwater caves in the waters around Fernando de Noronha.
Snorkelling and Sand Dunes in Northeast Brazil
Colonial Salvador, Lençóis Maranhenses National Park and Fernando de Noronha.
Explore Brazil’s northeastern highlights, from one of the country’s oldest cities, to one of the most unique landscapes in Brazil where seasonal lagoons fill desert dunes. End the trip 220 miles offshore, with several days in Fernando de Noronha where snorkellers are rewarded with 50-metre water visibility and underwater gardens are teeming with marine life.
A leader in conservation, visitors to the Fernando de Noronha archipelago are limited to 460 per day and certain beaches ban suncream to protect the reefs. There are several conservation projects across the islands, including the Tamar Project which works to protect sea turtles from illegal fishing and egg consumption. Speak to us about arranging visits to the project to participate in turtle releases.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Traverse the barchans by 4X4 at sunset, when the lagoons glow red and yellow.
Salvador
With a private guide, delve into the history of Salvador, one of Brazil’s oldest cities.
Wildlife
See sharks, dolphins and turtles in Fernando do Noronha, and migratory birds in Lençóis Maranhenses.
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Days 1-2
Salvador
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Day 3
Salvador-São Luís
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Day 4
São Luís-Atins
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Days 5-6
Atins
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Day 7
Atins-Fernando de Noronha
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Days 8-11
Fernando de Noronha
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Day 12
Fernando de Noronha-Salvador
Days 1-2
Salvador
Spend two days exploring the colonial city of Salvador, founded by the Portuguese in 1549. With an expert guide, learn about its controversial past during the slave trade years, as well as present-day culture. Two nights in Salvador.
Day 3
Salvador-São Luís
After breakfast, fly from Salvador to São Luís. Located on the island of Upaon-Açu and known for its Reggae influence, Sao Luis is a vibrant and fascinating city. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic centre has numerous well preserved colonial buildings and the city markets are the place to pick up local crafts, food and spices. Spend one night in São Luís.
Day 4
São Luís-Atins
By private road transfer, depart for the small coastal village of Atins (approximately five and a half hours). Stay three nights in Atins.
Days 5-6
Atins
With a guide, explore Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. By 4X4, traverse the dunes, stopping at viewpoints across the lagoons that fill the dunes between May and September, and watch hundreds of scarlet ibis birds take flight.
Day 7
Atins-Fernando de Noronha
Transfer back to São Luís for an internal flight to the Fernando de Noronha volcanic archipelago. Spend the next five nights in Fernando de Noronha.
Days 8-11
Fernando de Noronha
Spend the next few days relaxing in Fernando de Noronha, snorkelling amongst turtles, sharks, dolphins and tropical fish. On land, hike with a guide to scenic viewpoints, spotting a variety of birdlife, as well as wildflowers and tropical vegetation. Get involved with turtle releases through the Tamar Project which works to protect sea turtles from illegal fishing and egg consumption.
Day 12
Fernando de Noronha-Salvador
Fly back to Salvador for onward travel home.
More Details
Colonial Brazil
Salvador
One of Brazil’s oldest cities and said to be the birthplace of Afro-Brazilian culture, Salvador is alive with rhythm and flavour. Its eclectic musical heritage can be heard through samba, bossa nova and axé performances, and Salvadorian dishes such as moqueca, a coconut based seafood stew, are a treat. Wonder the quaint cobbled streets of Salvador’s historic quarter, Pelourinho where restaurants and open-air caipirinha bars are framed by colourful colonial Portuguese architecture and historic churches. A private walking tour is one of the best ways to experience the district, the location of the first slave market in the New World in 1558.
Dunes and Lagoons
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Spend three nights in the village of Atins, enveloped by sand dunes and gateway to UNESCO World Heritage Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. This remote corner of Brazil’s Maranhão coastline marks the point where three ecosystems of the Cerrado, the Caatinga, and the Amazon meet, creating a remarkable landscape of dry forests, savannahs and rainforests. It’s one of the few deserts in the world to have a rainy season, when turquoise lagoons fill the dunes between May and September. Explore the windswept dunes by 4X4, on foot or quad bike, stopping for a desert picnic and a lagoon swim.
Beach Time
Fernando De Noronha
A snorkelling and diving paradise, where water temperatures average 25 degrees year round and visibility reaches 50 metres. Around 30 dive sites with vibrant coral reefs, caves, and shipwrecks are home to an abundance of marine life, including sharks, dolphins, turtles, moray eels, and over 200 species of fish. At low tide, the Rocas Atoll reveal tidal rockpools and lagoons teaming with marine life. On land, the wildlife is equally captivating. The islands are a sanctuary for diverse birdlife, such as pelicans, red-footed boobies, and albatrosses.
How does this holiday make a positive impact?
- Relevant SDGs
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Lencois Maranhenses National Park, spanning 156,562 hectares of coastal dunes lagoons and mangroves was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2024. This recognition will boost its tourism profile and emphasise the need for conservation. Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism is developing an action plan to ensure that any increase in visitors is managed sustainably, and to support social inclusion through job creation for local people.
Fernando de Noronha is a leader in conservation, with strict environmental measures such as a daily visitor cap and a sunscreen ban on certain beaches to protect its fragile reef systems. Since 1984, the Tamar Project has safeguarded sea turtles from illegal fishing and egg harvesting. As tourism grew in the 1990s, the potential to fund conservation through carefully managed ecotourism was recognized, making the archipelago a model for sustainable tourism.
Learn more about the UN's 17 sustainability goals
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A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From £4,975 Per person
When to travel
Brazil in January
January to March is the peak of summer across the country, with many locals having time off in February. Carnival often takes place at this time too. There is more rainfall in the Amazon and the south but it is also the warmest time of year across the country.
Brazil in February
January to March is the peak of summer across the country, with many locals having time off in February. Carnival often takes place at this time too. There is more rainfall in the Amazon and the south but it is also the warmest time of year across the country.
Brazil in March
January to March is the peak of summer across the country, with many locals having time off in February. Carnival often takes place at this time too. There is more rainfall in the Amazon and the south but it is also the warmest time of year across the country.
Brazil in April
April and May is a good time to travel as temperatures drop a little. There is generally plenty of sunshine in the south, with the Amazon and Pantanal starting to receive a little less rain too.
Brazil in May
April and May is a good time to travel as temperatures drop a little. There is generally plenty of sunshine in the south, with the Amazon and Pantanal starting to receive a little less rain too.
Brazil in June
June and July is a great time to visit the south, especially around Rio and Sao Paolo. It is also a good time to visit the Amazon and Pantanal, with slightly lower temperatures and less rain. It is a wetter time for the north and east coast.
Brazil in July
June and July is a great time to visit the south, especially around Rio and Sao Paolo. It is also a good time to visit the Amazon and Pantanal, with slightly lower temperatures and less rain. It is a wetter time for the north and east coast.
Brazil in August
Between August and October is possibly the best time to visit the Amazon and Pantanal. It is still fairly dry in the south, but it can be cool in the evenings in Rio. It dries up in the north and remains warm.
Brazil in September
Between August and October is possibly the best time to visit the Amazon and Pantanal. It is still fairly dry in the south, but it can be cool in the evenings in Rio. It dries up in the north, and remains warm.
Brazil in October
Between August and October is possibly the best time to visit the Amazon and Pantanal. It is still fairly dry in the south, but it can be cool in the evenings in Rio. It dries up in the north, and remains warm.
Brazil in November
November and December see the dry season comes to an end in the south, as temperatures heat up. November can be a great time to visit Rio as it is warmer but remains fairly dry. Rainfall increases again in the Pantanal and the Amazon.
Brazil in December
November and December see the dry season comes to an end in the south, as temperatures heat up. November can be a great time to visit Rio as it is warmer but remains fairly dry. Rainfall increases again in the Pantanal and the Amazon.
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