Fernando de Noronha is a volcanic archipelago isolated in the Atlantic, 360 km from the city of Natal and 545 km from the city of Recife on the Northeast Coast of Brazil. Its main island and the visible part of a submersed range of mountains (the Dorsum of the Atlantic) cover an approximate area of 17 km, all surrounded by other islands of larger or smaller rocks. (Islands besides the "Atol das Rocas" (Rock Atoll) and the rocks of "Sao Pedro and Sao Paulo"). Researches have been done in different times confirming how rich the soil is, due to the existence of calcium phosphate ("Guano"), as a result of the millenarian deposit of dried excrement from migratory fish eating seabirds. Some of which are rather rare, incidentally and still visiting the islands. Studies have also identified the spawning periods of green turtles ("Aruanas") that have come to the shores of the archipelago for centuries. 

Accommodation is in rustic and simple, family Inns and services are operated by the island's inhabitants. Everyone who knows this island from brochures, folders, catalogs, magazines, videos, etc. knows that it is a wonderful place with great beauty and natural enchantment, and undoubtedly they are right, because we are talking about an ecological sanctuary especially reserved and protected by Federal Legislation. Only, one has to fully understand what a Federal Legislation protection means! There are no first class hotels or second class for that sake, and it is not permitted to build any. Hardly anybody on the island speaks anything but Portuguese and we can not just send somebody because there is a maximum number of visitors permitted per week! 123 guests weekly for the moment. It is truly a privilege to visit this ecological sanctuary, but the structures for visitors are a minimum so take it as an adventure.

Be aware, Fernando de Noronha is one hour ahead of Brasilia's time! Many operators and passengers are confused about the schedules, especially when it is summer time in Southern Brazil. It is important to pay attention to the schedules when reserving or taking a flight or requesting a hotel transfer.

The tourism infra-structure on the island can only be described as rustic, it is different to usual types of international and national accommodation. Because the "Esmeralda do Atlântico Hotel" (and former military installation) and the Inns are simple family run establishments, offering hospitality, high standards of hygiene and the kind of friendliness not usually found in bigger hotels. The guest live together with the families who own the Inns, in an atmosphere of comfort, peace, security and friendship. This is the typical accommodation of the island. Almost all the Inns are with standard rooms, with fan and bathroom. An Environmental Preservation Tax must be paid directly on the island, by all visitors. This tax is used to protect the environment. Scuba Diving is one of the most popular activities for both professionals or beginners.