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Fernando de Noronha
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Capt.
Donald
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Project Club Schooner with proposed trips to Fernando in the future - Need investors!
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What
does it remind you of, this very unusual place? The Cliffs of
Dover? Jurassic Park? The Volcanic Formations of the Hawaiian
Coast? A Tropical Paradise? The Land That Time Forgot? These are
just a few of the descriptions uttered by those who have been
lucky enough to visit this very special place. But, the best description
of all is - A place like you've never seen before !
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200
miles off the northeastern coast of Rio Grande do Norte,
Brazil lies a mountainous archipelago made up
of 21 islands, the National Marine Sanctuary of Fernando
de Noronha. With its crystal-clear water and rich marine
life, the archipelago is a heavenly retreat for underwater
pleasures. Fernando
de Noronha actually comes under the jurisdiction of
the State of Pernabuco (Recife). Fernando
de Noronha is a marine ecological reserve, protected
by the government. For many years the island was a prison,
then since World War II, the Brazilian Air Force has
maintained a base on the island.
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The
main island is sparsely populated, only 1500 inhabitants, and
is an extinct volcanic cone. The island-mountain is part of the
mid-Atlantic ridge, an underwater mountain chain which is over
15,000 km long. In the 1500s, the Portugese claimed Fernando de
Noronha and built a fortress here. Only the ruins of the fortress
remain today for you to explore and in many ways the islands are
still the way they were in the 1500s, untouched and exciting.
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The
dive sites include shipwrecks, caverns, amazing volcanic rock
and coral formations, wild dolphins, an array of reef sharks,
turtles - big ones!, schooling baracudas and all kinds of rays,
schooling fish of every kind and color.
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Did
we mention dolphins? Dolphins on every dive? That's right! and
you will get the chance to snorkle and play in the water with
over 600 at one time. Every day between 2 and 3pm, a pod of over
600 spinner dolphins leaves the Bay of Dolphins to hunt and then
they return at about 5am the next day. This is the oldest and
largest residential school of dolphins on earth.
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You
can swim with the juvenile sharks at Lage dos Dies Irmaos. Of
the 14 species of sharks in the area, the gray reef sharks have
seemingly found and claimed a protected feeding ground and breeding
area.
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Witness
the release of turtles into the wild. There is a protected beach
which is the feeding and breeding area for hawksbill and green
turtles, which the government is trying to preserve.
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Dive
the Corvete, a sunken Portugese frigate in pristine condition.
And much, much, more.
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It
can be visited any time of the year. Temperatures are always warm and
mild (26 C. or 79 F.), with a gentle breeze. The rainy season, Feb.
- July, is also when the island is the most beautiful. From Dec. - Feb.
the waves are huge and are perfect for surfing. The rest of the year
is excellent for diving and snorkeling.
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While
visiting Noronha, you will stay in Pousadas or small family owned accommodations
where you will experience the lifestyle and warmth of the island's people.
Most meals are prepared by "the lady of the house" and enjoyed
family-style. Comfortable sleeping arrangements and warm water showers
are the norm, however, you will find no five star hotels on Noronha
and may wake to find cows or goats in your front yard. A truly
special place for special divers, You've never seen anything like it
before !
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Featured |
There
is only one hotel and several pousadas. Tourism is limited and
there are many restrictions to protect the environment.
There are some excellent diving excursions and guided treks around
the island. Tour packages can be arranged from Recife and
Natal (preferably). The quotations below are from Natal. |
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"Ecotourism
is a segment of tourist activity that uses in a sustainable way
the natural and cultural patrimony, motivates its conservation
and seeks the formation of an environmentalist conscience through
the interpretation of the environment, promoting the well-being
of the populations involved"
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 TYPICAL
TOUR CONDITIONS
These
prices listed below for our traditional tours are only for comparison
... actual prices today are subject to current quotations
REQUEST
QUOTATION
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- Car rentals are available for hiring jeeps and beach buggies with or without drivers and including fuel
- The daily boat trips leave from the Port of Santo Antônio in the morning and the afternoon. The pacote Estrela do Mar includes one boat trip.
- Local residents rent out trail bikes including fuel.
- Walks along paths to historic sites, scenic views and beaches are accompanied by local guides, included with pacote Estrela do Mar.
- Rod fishing trips accompanied by local fishermen leaving the Port of Santo Antônio in local boats, under 60 years old requires a fishing licence from IBAMA.
- Horses for rent for halfday or full day trips.
- Filming of all underwater and countryside excursions with editing.
- A beach buggy association offers a point to point taxi service.
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Daily
flights (1) to Fernando from Natal leaving at 11:15. Baggage allowance - 10 kgs. The cost
of transportation is included in the trip.
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Accommadations can
include full board (breakfast, lunch, and supper), or just breakfast.
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Return
flights from the island at 17:30 daily and 20:45 on Saturdays and Sundays.
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| This year (2006-2007) we offer two
separate tour pacotes - (Concha de Mar and Estrela da Mar ) |
Prices listed are approximate and are subject to change without notice as they depend on the current exchange rate in Brazil.
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| PACOTE
CONCHA DO MAR |
| 02
days / 01 night - US$
465.00 p/PAX |
| 03
days / 02 nights - US$
519.00 p/PAX |
| 04
days / 03 nights - US$
571.00 p/PAX |
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| PACOTE
PÉROLA OR ESTRELA DO MAR |
Also
includes: Boat trip through the Baía dos Golfinos (the
bay of the dolphins); history tour - Vila dos Remédios;
complete introduction to the islans; local guide service.
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02
days / 01 night - US$
499.00 p/PAX
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| 03
days / 02 nights - US$
551.00 p/PAX |
| 04
days / 03 nights - US$
604.00 p/PAX |
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| CASH
or CREDIT CARD - 50% payment in cash required at reservation; 50% balance on credit card if desired. |
Each
extra night - approximately US$
56,00
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We
are offering Club members special introductory pacotes to
Fernando de Noranha.
Our
tour prices: (approx)
These
prices are only for comparison ... actual prices are subject
to current quotations and confirmed reservations.
REQUEST
QUOTATION
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PRICES: Quoted prices above are subject to change without notice. Always check for updated price.
GENERAL TOUR CONDITIONS: Prices are based on a per person rate in double or triple rooms. Single accomodations cost approximatel US$ 56.00 per night extra.
Extra nights (approx.) = US$37.50
in low season, up to US$90
in high season
*add daily environmental conservation tax of about US$15,00,
paid locally in Brazilian currency R$ 31,20 ... You can now pay this online!
Includes: airport transfers, accommodation at one of
the best pousadas with breakfast, lunch and dinner included (full board) or just breakfast (café de manhá),
as well as private bath, TV and air-conditioning, introductory environmental talk and local guide assistance.
The Estrela do Mar Pacote includes a boat tour to Dolphin's Bay, and historical hike at Vila dos Remedios.
All
prices are subject to change without notice.
SURFING
PHOTOS
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DIVING REQUIRES PRIOR RESERVATIONS AND DIVER CERTIFICATION. INSTRUCTORS ARE AVAILABLE FOR BEGINNERS AND UPGRADE.
PRIICES ARE APPROXIMATE AND SUBJECT TO CORRECTION
Fernando de Noronha is considered to be one of the best places for scuba diving in the world and certainly the best in Brazil. The region is bathed by the northern stream of the southern equatorial current, which brings clear, warm water, with an average temperature 26° C and visability of up to 50 m. The marine fauna with its great variety of fish and colorful corals surprisees even more experienced divers and is a joy for beginners. Sea turtles, dolphins and the occasional shark are normally seen, thrilling and delighting the divers.
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Diving
Prices: 2 tanks, weight, transfers, boat and dive master =
US$55
per person per day
Beginner's Dive: all equipment, 1 tank, theoretical and
practical class, boat, transfer =
US$63 per person per day
Equipment rental: regulator with gauges =
US$9, BC's = US$9
*Add daily dive tax of about US$7,
paid locally |
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Low
season = March 1 - June 30 and Aug. 1 - Nov. 1
High season = July 1 - 31 and Dec. 1 - Feb. 28 and major holidays
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