Praia dos Tamarindos

Praia dos Tamarindos lies a short way north of São Tomé town on the road towards the airport and Lagoa Azul, a curve of sand with tamarind trees along the back that give it its name and shade, and its position makes it the beach people from the capital actually use. The water is calmer on this side of the island than on the south, and a couple of bars operate on the sand. The reef offshore keeps the swell down, so the water inside stays flat even when the northern coast is being worked by wind.

What you actually see

• The tamarind trees - the shade trees along the back that name the beach.
• The calm water - the sheltered northern coast conditions.
• The proximity - the nearest usable beach to the capital.
• The beach bars - the places operating on the sand.

When to go

June to September is the drier gravana season. Weekends bring crowds from the capital. Water is calmest on this coast year round.

Honest expectations

It is busy at weekends and litter is a problem. Facilities are basic bars. The road past it carries airport traffic.

Nearby

São Tomé town is south, and Lagoa Azul is north.