Scuba Diving in São Tomé and Príncipe

Explore untouched dive sites, spot turtles and rays, and glide through coral gardens that feel worlds away from the usual circuit. Whether you're just starting out or already certified, this is raw, rewarding diving in a truly wild setting.

With warm, clear waters and a rich marine ecosystem, São Tomé and Príncipe offer some of the best and least-explored scuba diving opportunities in West Africa. These volcanic islands sit in the Gulf of Guinea, where nutrient-rich upwellings attract an incredible array of marine life, from vibrant reef fish to rays, turtles, and occasional encounters with larger pelagics like barracuda and tuna.

Diving here is still relatively undeveloped, which means no crowds, pristine sites, and a real sense of discovery beneath the surface. On São Tomé, the dive sites are known for dramatic underwater rock formations and coral gardens. Meanwhile, Príncipe, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, offers even more secluded dive spots – often only accessible by boat – where black coral fans and sponge-covered walls provide habitat for schooling fish and curious moray eels.

The waters stay warm year-round, hovering between 26–29°C, and visibility is often excellent, especially during the drier season from June to September. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, local operators offer guided dives and PADI instruction.

This is underwater exploration at its most authentic – wild, vivid, and far from the beaten path. If you’re looking for dive sites few others have seen, São Tomé and Príncipe are calling.