A splendid archipelago and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fernando De Noronha is renowned for its soaring rock formations and underwater labyrinths. Home to a stunning array of marine life including dolphins, sharks, turtles, and an abundance of fish of every description, it has been called one of the world’s top ten places to dive. With geologic features to amaze even the most jaded among us, the island offers some spectacular cave dives. Here are just three of the very best.
Buraco do Inferno
Despite the cavern’s name, which translates to “Hell’s Cave” in English, Buraco do Inferno is actually a calm and very beautiful dive site. It bears the same name as the small cave you can see above the waterline, and was formed during a period of intense volcanic activity that left behind an intricately bubbled substrata that now creates the perfect underpinning for life of all kinds to attach itself to. In addition to the many coral and sponge species coating the walls of the cave and the nearby rock formations, you’ll find small reef fish in abundance, along with larger fish such as trevally and barracuda, and some beautiful French angelfish and grey angelfish. Turtles and nurse sharks are often seen here, along with manta rays and sting rays. Inside the cave, you can surface in a bubble of fresh air fed from outside; it’s okay to remove your regulator and chat with your dive buddy if you want to. Maximum depth is just 17 meters, and visibility is exceptional, sometimes reaching 50 meters.
Caverna da Sapata
Situated alongside a huge vertical wall covered in sponges and colorful corals, Caverna da Sapata is an outstanding underwater chamber which is roomy and well lit from outside, and which has a ceiling 15 meters high. The cave extends into the wall for a distance of about 30 meters. Maximum depth here is just 27 meters, making the site accessible to most divers, who will be well rewarded for their efforts by the sight of enormous jewfish and jaw fish, giant groupers, and sea turtles, along with the occasional fleet of stingrays resting inside the cave. Other occupants include moray eels and lobsters, along with plenty of macro life. Watch for nurse sharks and silky sharks, too; and outside, keep an eye out for the manta rays that often pass by.
Ilha do Meio
Not just one cave, but a series of three caves await at Ilha do Meio; the first is a little tight and is a popular area for cave dive instruction, but once inside, huge anemones wave in the light current, and an abundance of shrimp and other creatures can be seen going about their business. Lobsters and moray eels can be found in the caves, along with jewfish guarding their nests, the occasional turtle, and plenty of stingrays and other creatures. Watch for octopus and nurse sharks, too. Maximum depth here is just 13 meters.
Visibility around Fernando De Noronha tends to be exceptional, often reaching fifty meters; this creates spectacular photo opportunities and provides for what is certain to be some of the best diving you’ve ever experienced.