Maria Correia (West)

Maria Correia (West) refers to the wildest coastal stretches around the historic scattered settlement of Maria Correia on Príncipe's west coast. Here the Atlantic has carved giant lava fissures into narrow gorges over millennia and shaped countless caves into the cliffs, some accessible only by kayak. The offshore marine protected area is one of the least researched yet most species-rich zones of West Africa, with healthy coral gardens, schools of surgeonfish, ocean sunfish and occasionally sighted whale sharks. Due to strong currents and difficult access, the area is unsuitable for mass tourism, making it an insider tip for researchers, nature photographers and experienced trekking enthusiasts. Hikes along the wild coast, often days without meeting other people, are among the most intense nature experiences in the entire Gulf of Guinea.

Nearby cities

Sundy

Sundy is a place of science and stars nestled in the gentle plains of northern Príncipe.

Sundy (Coast)

The coastal part of Sundy is a place of wide beaches and deep blue sea where the Atlantic reveals its full beauty.

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.

Picão

Picão is a place of colors and dense green hidden in the mountainous hinterland of Príncipe.

São Joaquim (Forest Edge)

The forest edge of São Joaquim is a place of transition where civilization shakes hands with the dense Obô jungle.

Picão (Hills)

The Picão hills are an oasis of green where clouds often gently brush the canopy of the forest giants.

Santo António

Santo António, the charming capital of Príncipe Island, is a town gently nestled on the banks of the Palhota River.

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.

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.

Belo Monte (Hinterland)

This part of Belo Monte leads deeper into the untamed interior of Príncipe where the forest giants darken the sky.

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.

Belo Monte

Belo Monte perches on a headland in northeastern Príncipe, offering arguably the most breathtaking view of the entire archipelago.

Abade

Abade is a fishing village on the northeast coast of Príncipe where the Atlantic rolls ashore with a rare gentleness.

Esperança

Esperança bears the name of hope and is a shining example of the joy of life in the interior of Príncipe.

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.

History & landmarks

Eddington Monument

The Eddington Monument at Roça Sundy commemorates the 1919 scientific expedition during which Sir Arthur Eddington proved Einstein's theo…

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.

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.

Port of Santo António

The small but vital Port of Santo António is the logistical backbone of Príncipe Island.

Ponta da Mina Lighthouse

The Ponta da Mina Lighthouse is located at the eastern tip of the Santo António Bay on Príncipe.

More places

Roça Ribeira Izé

Ribeira Izé was the site of the first settlement on Príncipe Island.

Roça Porto Real

Located on Príncipe Island, Porto Real was one of the most powerful plantations in the archipelago.

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…

Logistics Port of Santo António

The logistics port of Santo António is Príncipe Island's only maritime link to the outside world.

Ilhéu Bom Bom

Ilhéu Bom Bom is a small, green pearl off the north coast of Príncipe, connected to the main island by a long wooden walkway.

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.

Príncipe Parrot Sanctuary

Deep within the protected biosphere reserve of Príncipe lies a special conservation area for the endemic Príncipe parrot.

Príncipe Rainforest

The Príncipe rainforest is part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is considered one of Africa's best-preserved ecosystems.