Mexico: swimming with
Journey to a tropical island paradise in search of whales and dolphins
Hiking to the volcanoes and waterfalls

August 15-24, 2022
September 22 - October 1, 2022
10 days
Snorkeling with whales and dolphins, island exploration
Level of Difficulty:
Easy
3200 EUR
How does the tour take its course?
  • 1
    Snorkeling with whales
    Humpback whales come to the waters of Sao Tome and Principe to give birth and feed their calves. During this time, they are quiet, moving slowly, and the calves are extremely curious.

    We will go out in the ocean to look for whales and interact with them in the water.
  • 2
    Encounters with other animals
    Tropical waters are always full of a variety of wildlife. We will swim with dolphins, turtles, and other Atlantic Ocean creatures. On land, we will be able to watch baby turtles being born.
  • 3
    Exploring the Volcanic Island, situated right on the Equator
    We will visit coffee and cocoa plantations, watch the process of chocolate making, climb the volcano, walk on white sand beaches and visit museums and architectural monuments of the island.
Photo by Jacob
Photo by Kolya
Photo by Lea
Photo by Oliver
Photo by Leo
Photo by Paul
Photo by Alex
Photo by Adam
Photo by Fabrice
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival to the island of São Tomé.
We will meet you at the airport and take you to the accommodation.
Check-in, rest.

In the evening we will have a dinner together to get acquainted, have a briefing to tell you about the plans for the next days.
Day 2
Early in the morning we will have breakfast and head out into the ocean in search of whales. We will spend 5-6 hours on the water. In case of bad weather, we will replace marine activities with land activities.

After lunch: a walk around the São Tomé. A visit to the monuments and local attractions. A visit to the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built in the years 1492-1493 by Captain Alvaro Caminha.

Trip to a chocolate factory, tasting various kinds of chocolate and coffee produced on the island of São Tomé. Trip to the beach "Governadora". Return to the guesthouse in São Tomé.
Day 3
Early in the morning we have breakfast and head out into the ocean in search of whales. We will spend 5-6 hours on the water. In case of bad weather, we will substitute sea activities for land activities.

12:00 We will sail to a small uninhabited island "Ileu das Cabras", where we will climb the mountain to the lighthouse and have lunch with fresh fish and seafood at the beach. After that, we sail to the sunken Spanish ship "Pontá de Ouro", where we can dive and take pictures. Next, we sail to the "Blue Lagoon", where we will see centuries-old baobabs and also snorkel.
In the evening we will return to the hotel and have dinner.
Day 4
Early in the morning we have breakfast and head out into the ocean in search of whales. We come back to the hotel at 11:30am.

13:00 Lunch in a small fishing village "Mikolo" in the north of the island. We will try fresh crabs, seafood and different types of fish. Later we will visit the beach "Fernand Dias" and the "Memorial of the Heroes of Freedom for Independence". After that we go to the beach "Governadora".
Return to the hotel.
Dinner.
Day 5
Early breakfast at 6 am, then leaving the city. Today and tomorrow we will have a rest from the sea and go to the central part of the island.
Check-in at the hotel in the mountains until 9 am.
Walk through the national reserve "Obo" of incredible Santomei beauty, home to more than 143 species of birds and butterflies. We go to the crater of the extinct volcano "Lagoa Amelia", covered with vegetation, with a certified guide who will explain the features of medical plants and trees that we will find along the way. Then we will visit the "Botanical Garden", where endemic plants live. We will have lunch high in the mountains with healthy and traditional food in a coffee grove overlooking the city. After lunch, we will continue our journey to the waterfalls that are high in the mountains and, of course, swim there.
Dinner in the mountains.
Day 6
Our morning starts with a trip to "Trindade" (the second largest on the island), an overview of the colonial architecture.
Then we will climb the picturesque area of "Batepa", from where the revolution for independence originated. After that we go to "Monte Cafe" where coffee planting has started, we will visit the factory for coffee roasting. Also, in the coffee museum, they will show us the entire production cycle from seed to the finished coffee in your cup. After that, we will visit sustainable coffee plantations.
Traditional lunch and tasting at the house-restaurant "Almado Negreiro", which is the birthplace of the famous poet José de Almada Negreiros. Then we will continue our journey to the San Nicolau waterfall.
Return to the hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 7
Early breakfast at 6 am. We leave the hotel and head to the south of the island. We check-in into an eco-hotel.
At 11 am we go out on a motor boat to the open ocean in search of whales.
In the afternoon we will land on the island "Ileu das Rolas" where we will have lunch on the "Coffee" beach with a beautiful view. After lunch we will go to the line through which the equator passes. Then we will go to the other side of the island to see the local blow hole called "Buraco da Baleia" and walk through the coconut grove, where we will visit lost beaches "Eshkada" and "Juana" where turtles lay their eggs. At Bateria beach we will stop to relax and swim. On the way back to Sao Tome, if the weather is good, we will look for turtles in the ocean.
Return to the hotel. Dinner at the restaurant.
Day 8
Early in the morning we have breakfast and head out into the ocean in search of whales. We will spend 5-6 hours on the water. In case of bad weather, we will substitute sea activities for land activities.

In the afternoon you'll have free time to visit the places we haven't managed to see yet.
Day 9
Early breakfast at 6 am. Snorkeling with whales.
Return to the bungalow. Lunch and tasting of traditional cuisine at the famous "San Juan dos Angolares" restaurant, located on a hill with a great view.
After lunch we will drive to a fishing village in the south of the island and visit the "Praia Peshkeira" waterfall that falls into the ocean. We continue our trip to the natural turtle reserve on the Mor Peixe beach. Return to the bungalow. Dinner with fresh fish and seafood.
Day 10
Early breakfast at 6 am. Snorkeling with whales.
Return to bungalow.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
13:00. We leave the bungalow. Return to Sao Tome.
Buying gifts and souvenirs. Airport transfer. Flight to Accra.
Price:
3200 EUR per person

Dates:
August 15 - 24, 2022
September 22 - October 1, 2022
  • Included:
    • Accommodation (twin room in a guesthouse and eco-hotel)
    • All transfers
    • Sea trips on the boat (plans may change depending of weather conditions)
    • Visiting local attractions
    • Breakfast, lunches and welcome dinner
  • Not included:
    • Airfares
    • Snorkeling equipment
    • Insurance
    • Meals
    • Extra payment for single accommodation - 400 EURO
    • Transit visa in Ghana ($50 one way). A hotel in Ghana in case of a long transit
    • Hotel upgrade for the first three days (on request)
Guides
Mike Korostelev
Tour leader August 15-24
Mike founder of "Whale Watching Expeditions" project and inspirer of all new tours. Underwater Photographer.
Natalie Karpushenko
Tour leader September 22 - October 1
Natalie is an artist, photographer and environmentalist. She takes photos of people above and under water, with and without whales. A dreamer, inspiring people to travel and keen to share the knowledge of how to save the planet and yourself.
  • Additional information
    • A Yellow Fever vaccination is required for the entry (the certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination)
    • Water temperature about +23C +25C
    • Temperature on land about +28C +30
    • Currency USD/EURO
  • Getting there
    Flights to São Tomé TMS.
  • To-pack list
    • Passport, tickets
    • Yellow Fever vaccination certificate
    • Sunscreen
    • Hat
    • Light trekking boots
    • Snorkeling equipment
    • Anti-mosquito spray
    • Seasickness pills
    • Personal first-aid kit
  • Snorkeling and freediving equipment
    • Wetsuit 5mm
    • Mask
    • Fins
    • GoPro or other underwater camera
It's easy to book with us!
  • 1
    Contact us
    E-mail to info@whale-expeditions.com, or fill the application form below
  • 2
    We will call you back
    Or write a message. We will answer all your questions, explain all the details and discuss your personal wishes
  • 3
    Deposit payment
    When you are ready to book the trip, we would ask you to pay the deposit, usually it's 50% of the price. You can pay the rest later, the last payment day is 60 days before expedition starts.
  • 4
    Done!
    You got your space on the trip, it's time to buy the plane tickets!
Book the expedition!
Contacts
info@whale-expeditions.com
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