Dive Review of Atlantis/Pousada Solar dos Ventos in
Brazil/Fernando de Noronha island

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Atlantis/Pousada Solar dos Ventos, Aug, 2006, by Bruce Newman, RJ, Brazil ( Reviewer 3 reports). Report 2721.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$	N/A
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	A very impressive craggy volcanic island sprouting up miles from the seafloor hundres of miles from the coast, Fernando de Noronha is almost the only place in Brazil where good diving is possible. The water is warm enough as it is only four degrees south of the equator. It is hard to get to (only 400 visitors are allowed at a time on the island), very well protected by IBAMA, the environmental protection agency of the Brazilian government, and not overly developed. There are small inns called pousadas, most just 2-3 rooms, the largest with 10 rooms. The three best are Pousada Maravilha (really only for the true jet set, about US$670/per person/day with breakfast, double occupancy), Pousada Solar dos Ventos right next door (about US$135/person/day with breakfast, double occupancy) and Pousada Ze Maria (more expensive than Solar dos Ventos, but we didn't visit it). Maravilha and Solar dos Ventos both have stunning views of the pristine Bahia do Sueste and beach. They are located well away from the center of the island (taxi about US$8 or rent a buggy about US$60/day). Atlantis picked us up and brought us back every day included in their price for diving. Of the three operations running diving, Atlantis has clearly invested in all aspects--boats, equipment, divemasters, courses, etc. A two-tank boat dive costs about US$93, Nitrox was an additional US$18/tank. We asked for Nitrox but didn't check the price in advance, and there really is no reason to use Nitrox. Atlantis usually does 'experienced' divers in the morning and 'beginners' including courses in the afternoon. The boats (catamarans) are well organized and comfortable, great ladders, easy giant strides, marine head. Divemasters are knowledgeable and competent, and, once they see that you know what you are doing, lighten up a bit. They are clearly used to getting too many just certified divers. Groups were formed based on experience. There are no great hard or soft coral formations--this is a volcanic island with incredible rock formations 'coated' with coral, so take a light with you and get up close. Dive locations are chosen based on the weather and time of year, as well as where IBAMA says they can dive each day. Because of this, you probably will not want to plan more than 4-5 days diving. Expect to see nurse sharks, reef sharks, rays, turtles, baracudas, green and spotted morays, schools of large fish, tropicals. For an off-the-beaten-path diving experience, check it out. Atlantis Divers www.atlantisnoronha.com.br and Pousada Solar dos Ventos www.pousadasolardosventos.com.br
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	251-500 dives
Where else diving	Roatan, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Barbados, Tobago, Dominican Republic
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, windy, rainy	Seas	calm, surge
Water Temp	78-79°F / 26-26°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	50-80 Ft/ 15-24 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	no
Enforced diving restrictions	Two divemasters went with each group. Divers were told to only surface with one of the divemasters to allow those with more air to stay down longer with the other.
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	Lots	Mantas	Squadrons
Dolphins	Schools	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	> 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter	N/A	Boat Facilities	N/A
Overall rating for UWP's	N/A	Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	[None]

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Dive Review of Atlantis/Pousada Solar dos Ventos in Brazil/Fernando de Noronha island

Atlantis/Pousada Solar dos Ventos, Aug, 2006,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Atlantis/Pousada Solar dos Ventos in
Brazil/Fernando de Noronha island