The Beaches of São Tomé

São Tomé and Príncipe, a tiny two-island nation straddling the equator in the Gulf of Guinea, is one of Africa's best-kept secrets, and its beaches are among the most beautiful and unspoilt on the continent. Fringed by lush jungle and swaying palms, its shores range from golden sands to dramatic dark volcanic beaches, all lapped by warm, clear Atlantic water and gloriously empty of crowds. Idyllic spots like Praia Jalé, Praia Piscina and the beaches of Príncipe offer swimming, snorkelling and utter tranquillity, while several beaches are important nesting sites for sea turtles, seen coming ashore in season.

What you actually see

• The unspoilt beaches - the empty golden and dark-sand shores.
• The nesting turtles - the sea turtles that come ashore in season.
• The snorkelling - the clear warm water and reefs.
• The island of Príncipe - the even wilder beaches of the smaller island.

When to go

June to September, the cooler, drier gravana season, is generally the most pleasant time, with less rain, though this equatorial nation is warm and humid year-round; sea-turtle nesting seasons vary by species. The islands see very few visitors at any time, so the beaches are almost always blissfully quiet.

Honest expectations

São Tomé and Príncipe is remote, reached by limited flights, with modest tourist infrastructure and simple accommodation, so it suits adventurous, independent travellers seeking unspoilt nature rather than those wanting resorts or easy logistics; getting around takes time on rough roads. For genuinely pristine, empty tropical beaches, warm seas, nesting turtles and a real sense of escape far from any crowd, though, this tiny equatorial nation is a rare and beautiful find.

Nearby

The Ôbô rainforest, the capital and the island of Príncipe are within reach.