Sao Tome and Principe

Luiz Rocha · Issue 34, Jan/Feb 2007 · pp. 40–44

Products mentioned: Nikon D2x, Subal housing, Nikkor 10.5mm, Nikkor 17-55mm, Nikkor 105mm, Nikkor 60mm, Ikelite SS200

When one thinks about dive destinations, names like the Red Sea, Great Barrier Reef, Indonesia and the Caribbean among others come to mind, however, rare jewels outside the main traveled path can provide pleasant surprises. Completely outside of the main diving and tourists destinations, the small country of São Tomé and Príncipe lies in the Gulf of Guinea (eastern Atlantic) about 240 km (150 miles) off West Africa, and is formed by two main islands that give the country its name. São Tomé is the largest island (about 859 sq km; 330 sq miles), covered by a dense mountainous jungle. Príncipe (about 142 sq km; 40 sq miles) consists of jagged mountains. About 95% of the population of lives on São Tomé and the official language is Portuguese. The country has one international airport that receives weekly flights from Lisbon and a few cities in mainland Africa. Accommodations are modest, but …