Let us guide you where to go when

When to go?…. It’s the perennial question we get asked, and for those of us who inhabit the northern hemisphere the questioner is often driven by concern over climate. Will it be sunny? Will it be dry? Then there are the wildlife issues. When is the best time to see humpback whales or babes turtles, trekking Obo Natural Park or hiking Pico de Sao Tome? When is birding at its best?  

Depending on what you’d like to do here are different times that are best for visiting the islands.  The country celebrates Independence on 12 July. Other important national events include National Hero’s Day on 3 February and Armed Forces Day on 6 September.  

Throughout the year, the island nation celebrates the Saints festival. This is a time of great revelry, marked by elaborate religious ceremonies, traditional costumes, local delicacies and traditional dance and music. 

In August, you can witness the dramatic enactment known as Auto de Floripes. The entire population takes part in this enactment of the battle between the Christians and Moors.
The period from July to October is known for the spectacular whale season. You can spot the great humpback whales, killer whales and elegant dolphins in the local waters.  

December and January are wonderful for birding as birds adopt bright breeding plumage.

Trekking is best in the long dry season, between June and September.  

From mid-November to early February turtles nest on the beaches, and you can watch the eggs hatching 45 days later.  

 

Fishing Season  Deep sea-fishing season range from May to Mid October (with July – September being peak season):  Atlantic blue marlin: May to mid October, with July to September (locally known as the Gravanna) being peak season. Fish have been caught in all calendar months though, for example in March 2006 a 1000 pound fish was caught. December and January regularly produce a run of smaller fish in the 300 pound range. Sailfish - Atlantic: peak season runs from September to December with mid September to mid November normally producing the best results. Sailfish can also be commonly caught from late March to August.  Yellowfin tuna: difficult to pin point when these fish make appearances on the island and great fishing has been had as soon as February and March. Large fish however seem to be most consistent from May to October.  Wahoo: can be caught year round, but more predominant during the Gravanna season as well as during the height of the sailfish season from September throw December. Dorado: most predominantly from May to September, some years they are caught well into December, January and even February.