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Which is better: Angra dos Reis or Fernando de Noronha?

Short answer

Angra dos Reis is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ), while Fernando de Noronha is in the state of Pernambuco (PE): different regions of Brazil. Angra dos Reis: gateway to more than 360 islands in Ilha Grande Bay; Fernando de Noronha: a volcanic archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic where the water is so clear it hardly seems real, and Baía do Sancho was once voted the best beach in the world. For this month's weather, Fernando de Noronha has the edge.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in Angra dos ReisIlhas Botinas Boat Trip + Angra dos Reis Beaches★ 10 · 6 reviews · from US$ 35 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Most reviewed activity in Fernando de NoronhaFernando de Noronha Island Tour★ 9.9 · 18 reviews · from US$ 68 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Angra dos Reis Fernando de Noronha
Best time to visit May → Aug Sep → Dec
Weather this month 28° · 13 days of rain 30° · 3 days of rain
By car R$ 293 · from São Paulo by air only
Ideal stay 3–4 days 4–5 days
Best for Adventure, Relax, Family, Romantic Romantic, Adventure, Relax
Choose Angra dos Reis if

you want a trip for adventure seekers and relaxation: a schooner in the morning, green sea in the afternoon and Ilha Grande a boat trip away.

See guide
Choose Fernando de Noronha if

you want a trip for couples and adventure seekers: a volcanic archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic where the water is so clear it hardly seems real, and Baía do Sancho was once voted the best beach in the world.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Angra dos Reis or Fernando de Noronha

The average nightly rate is around R$ 242 in Angra dos Reis and R$ 1,317 in Fernando de Noronha; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.

Compare hotels and places to stay in Angra dos Reis on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

See all hotels in Angra dos Reis

Compare hotels and places to stay in Fernando de Noronha on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Beco Pousada Boutique in Fernando de Noronha 9.5 ★★ · 46 reviews Beco Pousada Boutique See on Booking → Pousada Lua Bela in Fernando de Noronha 9.4 ★★★★ · 2 reviews Pousada Lua Bela See on Booking →
See all hotels in Fernando de Noronha

Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

Angra dos Reis or Fernando de Noronha: which is better?
Angra dos Reis is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ), while Fernando de Noronha is in the state of Pernambuco (PE): different regions of Brazil. Angra dos Reis: gateway to more than 360 islands in Ilha Grande Bay; Fernando de Noronha: a volcanic archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic where the water is so clear it hardly seems real, and Baía do Sancho was once voted the best beach in the world. For this month's weather, Fernando de Noronha has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Angra dos Reis and Fernando de Noronha?
The best time to visit Angra dos Reis is from May to August; for Fernando de Noronha, it is from September to December, based on INMET's climate normals (temperature and rainfall for each month). If your trip already has a date, check each destination's page for your month.
Where does it rain less, Angra dos Reis or Fernando de Noronha?
Averaged over the year, Angra dos Reis has 12 rainy days a month and Fernando de Noronha has 9. Fernando de Noronha is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Angra dos Reis is January and in Fernando de Noronha, April. For temperature, Fernando de Noronha is the warmer one (average high of 30° versus 29°).
How many days should you spend in Angra dos Reis and in Fernando de Noronha?
To see the main sights without rushing, Angra dos Reis calls for 3–4 days and Fernando de Noronha, 4–5 days. These are distant regions: with a week or less, it is usually better to pick one of the two and make the most of it.
Angra dos Reis or Fernando de Noronha with kids?
Angra dos Reis (365 islands in the bay; schooner trip; green sea and Atlantic Forest) is the better pick of the two for families. Fernando de Noronha (best beach in the world, breathtaking diving, and preserved paradise) is geared more toward adults or couples. With small children, weather matters: Fernando de Noronha has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Angra dos Reis: Schooner trip around the islands, Ilha Grande (day trip), Lopes Mendes Beach. In Fernando de Noronha: Baía do Sancho, Baía dos Porcos, Praia do Leão. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.