Buraco da Raquel Beach

The closest landmark is Baía do Sancho, just 50 metres away — the world-ranked crescent beach that serves as the practical departure point for reaching this grotto. From Porto de Santo Antônio it's a 5-minute walk on foot, or you can take the public bus from Ponto Inicial / Final - Porto (bus stop), a 4-minute ride running every 30–40 minutes. There is no dedicated parking at the viewpoint and no road access to the grotto itself — come by bus or on foot. Entry to the Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park is mandatory: R$ 384,00 for foreigners or R$ 192,00 for Brazilians for a 10-day pass, with waivers for children under 12, Brazilians over 60 with documentation, and registered island residents and their first-degree relatives.

Baía do Sancho, a world-ranked crescent beach accessed via iron ladders, sits just 50 metres away and is the natural starting point for any visit to this stretch of coastline. A short 200-metre walk brings you to Baía dos Porcos, a rocky basalt cove with natural pools and the iconic Dois Irmãos islets framing the horizon. For a broader perspective on the island's volcanic geology, the hike up to Morro do Pico — a 321-metre volcanic plug and the island's highest point — rewards with panoramic views that put the entire archipelago in context.

There are no food or drink facilities at or near the grotto, so eat before you set out. Restaurante do Valdênio, a local favourite, is about 1.6 km away, and both Mare and Dell Isola sit at roughly 1.7 km — all reachable on foot or by bus from the Sancho area. Crepería Euforonha is a solid crepe stop at 1.9 km, and Aguida Bistro rounds out the options at 2.1 km.

Morro do Farol is the nearest listed accommodation, sitting 3.4 km from the grotto — a manageable distance given the island's compact bus network. Fernando de Noronha has limited lodging overall, so book well in advance, especially for the dry-season months of May through October when demand peaks.

The interior light shaft is the defining shot — position yourself below it during mid-morning when the sun angle is steep enough to send a column of light straight down through the cave ceiling onto the crystal-clear water below. From outside, the basalt cliff overhang framed against the open Atlantic makes a strong wide composition, best captured in the softer light of early morning before the sun climbs too high.

Access is only possible at low tide — arrive outside that window and the entrance is submerged; check tide tables before you leave your accommodation. The national park entry fee is non-negotiable, glass containers are prohibited throughout the park, and camping is not permitted anywhere in the area. Swimming and diving are strictly prohibited inside the natural pools and cave area due to environmental preservation rules — do not enter the water. January, February, and March bring rainy-season swell that makes cave surge dangerous and renders access impossible for most of the tidal cycle; plan your visit between May and October for the safest, driest conditions. True digital-detox territory — bring offline reading, cell signal fades out here and there is nowhere to plug in a laptop.