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This protected Atlantic beach, set within the Fernando de Noronha National Marine Park, is one of the most admired shorelines on the planet. Baía do Sancho opens at the foot of tall volcanic cliffs. Emerald water, pale sand and green walls form a natural amphitheatre. Visitors reach the shore by a narrow cleft in the rock, descending iron ladders to a cove that feels hidden from the rest of the island.

The water is clear and calm, and a snorkel often reveals reef fish, rays and visiting green turtles. Dolphins gather in the neighbouring bay, a short distance away. Sancho has repeatedly topped TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice rankings of the world’s best beaches.

Morro Dois Irmãos, the twin basalt peaks rising from the sea beside the bay, is the archipelago’s best-known silhouette. It frames the horizon from the sand, the cliff path and the boats offshore. The setting is a UNESCO-listed Brazilian archipelago, where visitor numbers are limited and conservation sets the pace. Entry requires the park ticket and the island’s environmental preservation fee. Go early, when the light is soft and the sand is nearly empty.