São Tomé cruise tour: Waterfalls, colonial sites & Pico Cão Grande
Pico Cão Grande rises twice the height of the Eiffel Tower above southern São Tomé.
This six-hour guided tour departs from São Tomé port and covers the island's main sights: colonial-era Roça Água Izé, the coastal rock formation at Boca do Inferno, Mioba waterfall, Pico Cão Grande peak, and a city tour ending at the national museum. An air-conditioned vehicle, museum entry, and water are included. The itinerary is built around cruise ship schedules so you return to the port in time to reboard.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore São Tomé island highlights
- Start at São Tomé port
- Visit Roça Água Izé plantation
- See Boca do Inferno coastal site
- Stop at Seven Waves Beach for photos
- Learn about São Tomé's first peoples
- Visit Mioba fishing beach waterfall
- View Pico Cão Grande peak
- Return to São Tomé city
- Visit local church and take photos
- Drive around city: cab stand, market, square
- Tour São Tomé museum
- Return to port for cruise departure
- Roça Água Izé 45m
- Boca do Inferno 30m
- Seven Waves Beach 10m
- Pico Cão Grande 1h 30m
What’s included
- Air-conditioned vehicle throughout the tour.
- entrance ticket to the national museum.
- water provided during the drive.
- liability insurance.
Times
- Every day 08:00
Before you book
Operated by Ban Be Non Tours
Prices and times updated today
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The experience
The tour starts at the port where cruise passengers disembark and moves inland to Roça Água Izé, a former cocoa plantation with colonial houses and old hospital buildings that tell the story of how cocoa culture arrived in São Tomé. From there you head to the coast to see Boca do Inferno, a dramatic rock formation where the guide stops for coconut water and photos before continuing south along the shoreline.
Seven Waves Beach comes next (a quick photo stop on black sand), then the route turns inland again to learn about São Tomé's first peoples, their cultures and ethnicities. The real draw is Mioba waterfall, the largest by diameter in São Tomé and Príncipe, which sits on a fishing beach and marks the transition to the southern coast. From there the landscape opens to Pico Cão Grande, the volcanic peak that dominates the southern horizon. After that vantage point, the tour circles back through the city of São Tomé itself, passing the cab stand, market and independence square before finishing at the national museum, where you learn the island's history, arts and ethnic makeup.
The vehicle is air-conditioned throughout, and water is provided during the drive. Museum entry is included in the price. The guide speaks English and the tour is timed so you have time to return to the ship before departure.
Is this one for you?The tour runs six and a half hours with multiple stops and moderate walking, so it suits cruise passengers with a few hours to spare before departure. The timing is built around ship schedules. Not recommended if you have spinal injuries, are pregnant, or have cardiovascular concerns. The route includes uneven terrain and a moderate pace.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.
What is Pico Cão Grande and why is it on this tour?
Pico Cão Grande is a volcanic peak on southern São Tomé that rises twice the height of the Eiffel Tower. It's the signature landmark of the island and the visual climax of the tour: the route specifically builds toward this viewpoint after visiting the waterfalls and coastal sites.
How much walking is involved in this tour?
The tour includes stops for photos and short walks at several sites (Roça Água Izé, Boca do Inferno, Seven Waves Beach, Mioba waterfall and the city center), but most of the day is spent in the air-conditioned vehicle. The itinerary notes that moderate physical fitness is recommended.
Does the tour include lunch?
Lunch is not included, though the guide stops for coconut water at Boca do Inferno. You'll want to plan a meal either before departure or after returning to the port.
What happens at Roça Água Izé?
Roça Água Izé is a former cocoa plantation where you see colonial-era houses and the architecture of old hospital buildings. The guide explains the history of how cocoa culture was introduced to São Tomé and what life was like on the plantation.
When does the tour return to the port?
The tour runs for six and a half hours from the port departure, timed so cruise passengers can return to their ship before it leaves. The exact return time depends on your ship's schedule, which should be confirmed when booking.
Is the national museum visit included in the price?
Yes, entrance to the national museum is included. The museum covers the history, arts, culture and ethnicity of São Tomé and Príncipe and is the final stop before returning to the port.
São Tomé cruise tour: Waterfalls, colonial sites & Pico Cão Grande
6h 30m · EN
from US$ 171 per person
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