Diving - São Tomé & Príncipe

The ancient volcanic islands of São Tomé and Príncipe are home to some of the world’s most spectacular rock formations, both above and below the waterline. With drop-offs of over 35 metres, overhangs and cascading boulders, there is plenty of sea life here to keep you coming back for more.

It is not uncommon to find yourself swimming amidst schools of barracudas or snappers. The waters here are also home to a variety of sharks, stingrays and octopuses with the largest population of moray eels one could imagine seeing anywhere. In addition, both São Tomé and Príncipe are popular breeding grounds for turtles. With a strong conservation programme in place on both islands, there is a very good chance of spotting one of these majestic creatures.

Shore Dive - Príncipe

Bom Bom Island Resort - (6-15 metres)

On both east and west sides of Bom Bom island there are small beaches with easy entry points. “The Arch” rock formation offers a wonderful swim-through, leading to an area with large schools of yellowtails. This is also a superb site for seeing filefish, trumpet fish, parrot fish and puffer fish. Turtles have sometime been seen resting on the bottom. And thanks to its proximity to the resort, this is also the ideal location for night dives, with octopus and cuttlefish patrolling the waters after dark.

Boat Dives - Príncipe

North Side Diving

Pedra Adalio - (12–15 metres) Located a short distance from the resort are two pinnacles standing within shallow surrounds. These are home to many octopuses, juvenile barracudas and young nurse sharks. The ocean bottom comprises collections of seashells with hard coral formations. The abundance of sea life surrounding these pinnacles makes them an excellent night dive site.

Mosteiro - (15-20 metres) Mosteiro is as beautiful under the water as it is above, with schools of red snappers, kingfishes and barracudas. Don’t be surprised to see a turtle or a pair of cuttlefish pass you by. Both sides of this offshore island are great drift dives with wonderful bird-watching opportunities too.

Galle - (25-30 metres) Facing Bom Bom Beach, Galle is just a short boat ride away. To the north it has a wonderful wall drift dive with plenty of moray eels to be seen. There is also an excellent opportunity to catch a glimpse of larger schools of fish. To the south, there are some very interesting seascapes where stingrays and octopuses have made their home.

West Side Diving

Focinho De Cao - (15-20 metres) Welcome to the world of turtles, kingfishes and red snappers, large schools of yellowtail and interesting rock formations.

Baia Das Agulhas - You may hear the singing of whales in the sheltered bay of the island. Cuttlefish and octopus can also be seen here.

South Side Diving

Bone De Jockei (Jockey’s Cap) - (15 metres with a drop-off) Jockey’s Cap is beautiful above and below the waves, with bright red fan corals and huge schools of fish. Sharks and stingrays make their home here too and the drop-off will take your breath away. This is a two-dive package site with plenty to offer.

Dive Courses

Diving Baptism (DSD – Resort Course)

Discover the underwater world for the first time. This introductory course takes about three hours and includes a theory session, a confined water session and a shallow dive. On completion you will be qualified to dive to a depth of 12 m under the supervision of an instructor for up to a year (maximum of 2 per course / minimum age 12 years).

Refresher Course

Obligatory for qualified divers who have not dived within the last year or those who would like to brush up on their diving skills.

Important note for qualified divers

If you are a qualified diver and you are interested in diving on Príncipe, please remember to take your diving logbook or diving card with you on holiday. If you forget to bring your logbook or diving card, you will unfortunately be obliged to do the introductory dive course first.

PICTURES

Take pictures to remember. Rent a digital underwater camera to take pictures of these amazing unchartered waters. Rental includes downloading of your pictures onto CD to take home.