Baía do Sancho

How to get to Baía do Sancho

By land, go by car, buggy or taxi to the Sancho PIC, where your park ticket is checked. From there, a 320 m boardwalk leads to the staircase.

The descent is via iron staircases in three flights inside a crevice in the rock, followed by more than 200 steps. It is not recommended for people with reduced mobility or fear of heights.

The other way is by sea. The shared boat trip stops for about 40 minutes at Sancho; on a private speedboat, the stop is usually longer.

Sancho staircase hours

The staircase runs in alternating windows for going down and going up. The reference times are:

• 8am to 8:50am: open in both directions.
• Going down: 9am, 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm.
• Going up: 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm.
• 4:30pm to 5:20pm: open in both directions.
• 5:30pm to 6pm: going up only.

Outside these windows the staircase is closed, except in emergencies. Check the sign at the Sancho PIC on the day, because the Park may adjust the times.

Best time, tide and season

Arrive at 8am and make the most of the open window, before the queue. At low tide, snorkeling is better, with turtles and fish just a few meters from the sand.

If you want to stay for sunset, you need to climb back up by 6pm. Between February and July a small waterfall usually forms on the cliff.

In January and February the swell can bring strong waves to Sancho. See the ideal month in when to go to Noronha.

What to bring and what to combine on the same day

There is nothing on the sand, and there is little shade, next to the cliff. Bring water, snacks, a snorkel mask and a UV shirt. Phone signal is weak or nonexistent.

From the PIC a trail leads to the Baía dos Golfinhos viewpoint, and the boardwalks lead to the Sancho and Dois Irmãos viewpoints. At another time of day, fit in Baía dos Porcos at low tide.

The itineraries in the Premium Guide put Sancho by land at 8am, followed by the viewpoints, to avoid the queue.