Baia do Sancho Beach

The volcanic archipelago of Fernando de Noronha off the north eastern coast of Brazil is home to many fantastic beaches. However, it is Baia do Sancho that takes the crown of, not only the finest beach on the island, but possibly the best beach in Brazil. That’s pretty good going considering there are well over 2,000 other great beaches in Brazil.

What gives the beach at Baia do Sancho a head start over many on the mainland is the fact these islands are a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. With development pretty much outlawed there are only facilities for around 700 visitors at any one time on the island. Even if all these tourists were evenly divided amongst the island’s 20 beaches that would make for very thin crowds. But most of Fernando de Noronha’s other beaches are much easier to get to than Baia do Sancho meaning you can enjoy this pristine beach with barely another soul.

So what makes Baia do Sancho such a great beach? Well to start with the crystal clear blue water, which are encompassed within a National Marine Park, is teeming with sealife including turtles, hundreds of species of fish and dolphins. This makes it one of the premiere diving destinations in Brazil.
Visually, the beach here is stunning. The crescent of soft white sand lies at the foot of 230 feet (70 m) high rugged cliffs which are covered in lush vegetation. These cliffs are home to any number of birds which nest here and the beach is home to the highest concentration of tropical seabirds to be found on this side of the Atlantic.

As you might have guessed there isn’t much in the way of facilities at Baia do Sancho, but that’s not why you come here. Oh, and just a note about getting to the beach; access involves a hike along dirt tracks followed by climbing a series of rickety ladders and squeezing through an opening in the rocks. Those who have made the effort though, are in no doubt it was worth it.