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Ilhéu Bom Bom
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Island
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Ilhéu Bom Bom is an easy on the eye small island off the northern coast of Príncipe and is part of the island's UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is connected to the mainland by a long wooden bridge, making it one of the most iconic locations in the archipelago. The island is covered in lush tropical vegetation and surrounded by clear turquoise waters convenient for snorkeling and observing coral reefs. Ilhéu Bom Bom serves as an important nesting site for sea turtles and is a haven for birdwatchers, who can discover rare species like the Príncipe Kingfisher here. In the waters surrounding the island, humpback whales are often seen seasonally from July to October, arriving here to calve. The island also hosts an exclusive eco-resort dedicated to sustainable tourism and the protection of the unique local biodiversity.
- Location: São Tomé & Príncipe
- Top sights: Praia Campanha · Praia de Santa Rita · Praia Santa Rita
- Nearby: Sundy (North) (4 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 |
| Rain mm | 141 | 136 | 205 | 202 | 175 | 75 | 40 | 37 | 98 | 226 | 232 | 155 |
📋 Practical info
Getting there
Reached primarily via the distinctive, long wooden walkway that directly connects this small island to the northern coast of Príncipe island.
Best season
The drier months typically offer the most pleasant weather conditions for exploring the lush vegetation and enjoying this tropical environment.
Terrain & paths
Across this small, green pearl, well-maintained wooden walkways and flat, sandy paths usually make navigation relatively easy for all visitors.
What to bring
Bring plentiful sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, and a quality camera to capture the wide-open tropical coastal views and scenery.
Parking
Vehicule parking is most commonly organized securely on the main island of Príncipe, often located right near the starting point of the walkway.
Safety
Watch your step on the wooden bridge, particularly in wet conditions, and always seek local advice regarding ocean currents before swimming.
Time needed
A typical visit usually lasts anywhere from one to three hours, which easily allows for a leisurely walk and ample time for nature appreciation.
Geography
Facts
- Part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Príncipe.
- Connected to the main island by a long wooden bridge.
- Nesting site for Green and Hawksbill sea turtles.
- Whale watching season runs from July to October.
- Home to the endemic Príncipe Kingfisher.
- Surrounded by pristine coral reefs and turquoise waters.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Ilhéu Bom Bom (3)
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
How to get to Ilhéu Bom Bom?
There is a bridge from the main beach.
Is there a resort there?
Yes, there is an exclusive eco-resort.
Is the beach beautiful?
Yes, very fine sand and turquoise water.
Is it good for diving there?
Yes, the resort has diving excursions.
Is the island big?
No, it is very small and circumnavigated in 20 minutes.
Ilhéu Bom Bom: where is it located?
Ilhéu Bom Bom is located in São Tomé & Príncipe.
Ilhéu Bom Bom: what is there to see?
Highlights include Praia Campanha, Praia de Santa Rita, Praia Santa Rita.
Ilhéu Bom Bom: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Ilhéu Bom Bom: why is it worth visiting?
Ilhéu Bom Bom is an easy on the eye small island off the northern coast of Príncipe and is part of the island's UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
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Nearby cities
Belo Monte (Hinterland)
This part of Belo Monte leads deeper into the untamed interior of Príncipe where the forest giants darken the sky.
Picão (Hills)
The Picão hills are an oasis of green where clouds often gently brush the canopy of the forest giants.
Belo Monte
Belo Monte perches on a headland in northeastern Príncipe, offering arguably the most breathtaking view of the entire archipelago.
Belo Monte (Coast)
The coastal part of Belo Monte is a place of dramatic cliffs and azure sea where the Atlantic reveals its full primal force.
Sundy (Coast)
The coastal part of Sundy is a place of wide beaches and deep blue sea where the Atlantic reveals its full beauty.
Picão
Picão is a place of colors and dense green hidden in the mountainous hinterland of Príncipe.
Paciência (Coast)
The coastal part of Paciência is a place of gentle bays and rhythmic sea sounds where time seems to stand still on the golden beaches.
Sundy
Sundy is a place of science and stars nestled in the gentle plains of northern Príncipe.
Paciência (Upper Village)
The upper village of Paciência lies at the foot of Príncipe's steep mountains, a place of cool mornings and deep silence.
São Joaquim
São Joaquim is a historic hamlet in the heart of Príncipe where ruins of an old Roça tell of the power of time.
Santo António
Santo António, the charming capital of Príncipe Island, is a town gently nestled on the banks of the Palhota River.
São Joaquim (Forest Edge)
The forest edge of São Joaquim is a place of transition where civilization shakes hands with the dense Obô jungle.
Abade (North)
The northern part of Abade is a place of wide horizons and maritime freedom where the gaze wanders boundlessly over the Atlantic.
Paciência
Paciência lies on the edge of Príncipe's rainforests, a place where the name says it all and nature's tranquility heals the soul.
Abade
Abade is a fishing village on the northeast coast of Príncipe where the Atlantic rolls ashore with a rare gentleness.
History & landmarks
Ponta da Mina Lighthouse
The Ponta da Mina Lighthouse is located at the eastern tip of the Santo António Bay on Príncipe.
Eddington Monument
The Eddington Monument at Roça Sundy commemorates the 1919 scientific expedition during which Sir Arthur Eddington proved Einstein's theo…
Port of Santo António
The small but vital Port of Santo António is the logistical backbone of Príncipe Island.
Church of Our Lady of the Rosary
The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary is the religious landmark of Santo António on Príncipe.
Regional Government Palace
The Regional Government Palace in Santo António is the administrative center of the autonomous region of Príncipe.
Santo António Market
The Santo António Market on Príncipe Island is a colorful meeting place where local products from the rainforest and the sea are offered.
More places
Fort of Santo António da Ponta da Mina
This fort was built in the 17th century to protect the bay of Santo António on Príncipe from maritime attacks.
Roça Ribeira Izé
Ribeira Izé was the site of the first settlement on Príncipe Island.
Logistics Port of Santo António
The logistics port of Santo António is Príncipe Island's only maritime link to the outside world.
Príncipe Children's Leisure Center
The children's leisure center in Santo António is the hub for play and education for the children on Príncipe Island.
Pico Bastião
Pico Bastião is a distinctive geological formation on Príncipe Island.
Roça Porto Real
Located on Príncipe Island, Porto Real was one of the most powerful plantations in the archipelago.
Roça Infante D. Henrique
This plantation on Príncipe, named after the famous Portuguese prince, stands out for its well-preserved administrative buildings.
Pico Papagaio
Pico Papagaio, also called Parrot Mountain, is a prominent, cone-shaped elevation on Príncipe that rises like a green pyramid from the fo…