São Tomé Province
Diving in São Tome is nothing short of spectacular and offers remote, beautiful dive spots.
Explore São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe offers divers a unique and enriching experience, distinguished by its secluded and untouched diving sites. This small volcanic archipelago in the Gulf of Guinea boasts a diverse range of dive environments, from vibrant coral reefs teeming with life to dramatic underwater walls and intriguing shipwrecks. The waters surrounding these islands are home to a spectacular array of marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and occasional sightings of dolphins and whales, making every dive an adventure.
Typically, diving here can be done from shore or by boat, with some operators offering liveaboard experiences that allow divers to explore more remote and less frequented sites. The country's tropical climate ensures warm waters year-round, though visibility can vary seasonally. Notably, the islands' volcanic origins contribute to the breathtaking underwater topography, providing a backdrop that is as stunning as it is diverse. Diving in São Tomé and Príncipe not only offers a glimpse into a less-explored underwater world but also provides a sense of adventure and discovery that stands out as truly special.
Power Plug Type
C, F
Payment Method
VISA, MC
Tipping
5–10% / Service Staff / Tipping is appreciated in restaurants and hotels; amount may vary based on service quality.
Currency
STD
Dial Code
+239
Electricity
220V
Time
UTC+0
Top Regions to Explore
Dive Centers
Dive Sites
Top Wildlife Sightings in São Tomé and Príncipe
The waters surrounding São Tomé and Príncipe boast a rich array of marine life, making them a vibrant destination for divers. The coral reefs are home to an abundance of colorful reef fish such as parrotfish and angelfish, which are commonly found year-round. These reefs provide a crucial habitat, supporting an array of smaller marine creatures and invertebrates.
Seasonal highlights include the sightings of larger marine species. From November to March, divers might encounter sea turtles, particularly around nesting sites on beaches. Shark sightings, while less frequent, do occur and can be spotted in deeper waters primarily during the cooler months. Rays, including manta rays, also visit these waters seasonally, offering an impressive sight for lucky divers. Encounters with these larger species depend significantly on the time of year and specific diving locations.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
27 Sightings
J
7
F
7
M
0
A
2
M
1
J
1
J
2
A
1
S
3
O
0
N
1
D
2
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
12 Sightings
J
0
F
5
M
0
A
3
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
0
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
8 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
0
A
1
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
3
O
0
N
0
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
5 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
1
Alamy-WaterFrame
Common Seahorse
29 Sightings
J
7
F
3
M
0
A
4
M
0
J
3
J
4
A
0
S
3
O
0
N
1
D
4
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 130
AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish
15 Sightings
J
7
F
2
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
2
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
1
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
9 Sightings
J
4
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
1
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
8 Sightings
J
5
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
3
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
7 Sightings
J
5
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 3
Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish
7 Sightings
J
4
F
2
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1
