Fernando De Noronha

Local dive operators run conservative profiles and the island now hosts a hyperbaric chamber adjacent to Hospital Sao Lucas, supported by partnerships between the administration, dive businesses and organizations such as DAN. Even so, evacuation to Recife or Natal is required for serious trauma or complex cases, and weather can delay flights. Stick to no decompression recreational limits unless properly trained, plan gas with generous reserves and respect briefings about current and swell, especially at Outer Sea pinnacles and deep sites like Corveta Ipiranga. Use an SMB, stay close to your group and remember that search and rescue capacity is limited compared to more developed regions.

Hospital Sao Lucas on the main island provides basic emergency care and coordinates use of the hyperbaric chamber for decompression illness. Pharmacy stock and specialist services are limited, so bring personal medications in sufficient quantity and a copy of any prescriptions. For serious illness or injury, air evacuation to Recife or Natal is the usual path. Standard travel insurance rarely covers dive accidents fully, so divers should carry specialized coverage that includes hyperbaric treatment and medical evacuation. For minor issues like sunburn, cuts or mild infections, local clinics and pharmacies are usually adequate, but expect slower service than in big cities.

Fernando de Noronha is split between a no take Marine National Park and a surrounding Environmental Protection Area where residents live under strict rules. Fishing, spearfishing and collecting shells or corals are prohibited in park waters. Many natural pools require life jackets, prohibit fins and ban sunscreen entirely, and rangers enforce rules against standing on the bottom or touching wildlife. Single use plastics are heavily restricted and visitor numbers are capped annually. A new Noronha Verde solar program aims to shift the island's power grid away from diesel in the coming years, further reducing environmental footprint. As a visitor, you contribute by following ICMBio instructions, choosing reef safe products, minimizing waste and supporting conservation focused operators and programs like Projeto Tamar and Golfinho Rotador.