São Tomé Whale Watching & Gulf of Guinea Marine Life
The Gulf of Guinea is one of Africa's most productive marine environments — humpback whales breed here from June to October, and the equatorial waters host dolphins, whale sharks, and extraordinary reef fish
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Tuber selection season
From June to October, humpback whales migrate through the Gulf of Guinea to breed — boat trips from the city of São Tomé meet mothers and calves in warm equatorial waters
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Spinner schools of dolphins
Large schools of spinner dolphins inhabit the waters around São Tomé year-round — joining a morning fishing boat almost guarantees encounters with these acrobatic dolphins
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Whale Shark Aggregation
The gulf-rich waters of the Gulf of Guinea concentrate plankton that attract whale sharks — snorkeling with these filter-feeding giants is possible from small boats in season
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Coral Reef Diving
The reefs around São Tomé have excellent visibility and diversity of fish — Napoleon fish, moray eels and the occasional hammerhead in locations accessible from simple local dive operations
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Sea Turtle Marine Reserve
The marine reserve that protects São Tomé's turtle nesting beaches extends offshore – the reef in the reserve has seen fish stocks recover dramatically since the protection began
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Night fishing with Santomeans
Traditional night fishing from small wooden boats using handlines — the fishermen target snappers and groupers over the reef using only the stars and local knowledge to navigate