Fernando de Noronha - a Positive view!

Created by sue. Last modified on 2008-06-17 16:21:03
Countries: Brazil

In response to article Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, Update, posted 1 June 2008.

This is a fabulous island, so welcoming to visitors, and despite the older pilot books saying it has no immigration service and that you must first go to a mainland port, it is now an official port of entry to Brazil.

This island is a nature reserve, fabulously beautiful and an excellent landfall after the short Atlantic crossing from the Cape Verde Islands. Its bird and marine life are second to none, its beaches superb.

Go there if you possibly can!

The immigration office is at the head of the slipway, the officer (who was informally dressed in a red T-shirt and shorts!) was really friendly, the port office staff could not have been more helpful. So no longer do you have to go, first, to a Brazilian port. And once your passports are stamped for entry, your crew don't have to go through immigration again on the mainland, just process your ship's papers in the port in the normal way.

Yes, the anchorage is rolly, and yes, the anchorage dues and the per-person tourist taxes (which have to be paid by every visitor to the island) are high, but you've not spent anything on passage to get there, and your fees go towards funding the national park conservation programme. So you'll probably only stop for a couple of days.

Because it is part of Brazil, you must arrive with a visa if you need one, just as every British yachtsman needs to get a visa before arriving in the USA (or even in Puerto Rico). Our crew included 2 British and one French national who don't need visas, and one US citizen who had already obtained a visa (it took one week in London).

Mike Yendell
SY Cooya
www.cooya.ukf.net