en
São Tomé and Príncipe - online guide 

Getting to Príncipe Island

Reaching Príncipe Island requires careful planning, as the island's double insularity—isolated from both mainland Africa and São Tomé—creates significant transport challenges. Air travel is strongly recommended as the primary and safest means of access, while maritime connections remain underdeveloped and unreliable for tourism purposes.

By Air (Recommended)

Príncipe Airport

Príncipe Airport (IATA: PCP, ICAO: FPPR) serves as the island's essential gateway, located approximately 3 km north of Santo António at an elevation of 180 metres above sea level. The airport sits between two small villages, Aeroporto to the east and Azeitona to the west. The terminal is notably small—described by travellers as "cabin-sized" or "very simple with considerable charm"—transporting visitors to "another time." Upon arrival, baggage is unceremoniously unloaded from a van directly into the middle of the terminal hall. Colourful signs inside the terminal warn against plastic use, reflecting the island's environmental commitments.

The airport underwent significant modernization in recent years, driven by private investment from HBD to support high-end ecotourism development. The asphalt runway (designated 18/36) was extended from 1,320 metres to 1,750 metres to meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards and recommendations. This upgraded runway can now safely accommodate medium-sized aircraft with capacity for 50 to 70 passengers, substantially improving the island's accessibility.

However, infrastructure limitations remain. The airport lacks runway lighting, preventing night flight operations and limiting scheduling flexibility. Additionally, the facility has no aircraft refuelling capabilities or cargo handling equipment. Security fencing around the airport perimeter remains incomplete, and locals from nearby communities—along with wandering geese and chickens—occasionally cross the runway to access roads and villages, a situation ICAO standards require be addressed.

Airlines & Routes

Primary connection: The only regular commercial service operates between São Tomé International Airport (TMS) and Príncipe (PCP).

Airlines operating the route:

  • STP Airways — The national carrier provides daily flights and serves as the primary inter-island connection. As of 2023, STP Airways and Afrijet combined offered 16 weekly flights between São Tomé and Príncipe.
  • Afrijet — This Gabonese airline operates weekly flights (previously Wednesdays and Sundays), providing Príncipe's first direct connection to mainland Africa (Libreville) without requiring a São Tomé stopover.
  • Charter and private flights — Reports indicate the airport receives occasional direct flights from London and Angola, typically carrying tourists or business travellers, though these appear to be charter or private aircraft rather than scheduled commercial services.

Flight duration: 30 to 45 minutes Distance: Approximately 105 to 170 km between airports

Aircraft: Inter-island flights utilize small aircraft such as the 19-passenger Dornier 228 or BAe Jetstream 32 chartered by SEVENAIR for STP Airways. Travellers sometimes refer to these aircraft as "matchboxes with wings," reflecting both their compact size and the intimate flying experience.

Costs & Baggage Restrictions

Air travel between São Tomé and Príncipe is expensive relative to regional standards. Round-trip tickets cost approximately €210, with some sources citing ranges between $290 and $600. One-way fares typically run €120 to €150. Baggage allowances are restrictive—passengers are normally permitted only one checked bag with a maximum weight of 15 kg, requiring careful packing for extended stays.

Ground Transport from Airport

No organized public transport serves Príncipe Airport. Upon arrival, visitors must arrange private transport to reach Santo António (approximately 7 km) or other destinations. The main road from the airport continues toward Bom Bom resort and Roça Sundy.

Transport options:

  • 4x4 vehicle rental — Essential for island exploration due to poor road conditions
  • Moto-taxi (moto boy) — Local motorcycle taxis navigate difficult terrain effectively
  • Pre-arranged transfers — Recommended booking in advance; costs can be substantial (approximately €50 for the 7 km journey to Santo António)

Luxury hotels in the Príncipe Collection network (Roça Sundy, Bom Bom, Sundy Praia) typically organize airport transfers for guests as part of their service packages. Budget accommodation guests should confirm transport arrangements before arrival to avoid difficulties.

Travellers departing from São Tomé can leave vehicles parked at São Tomé International Airport (referred to as "Porto") while visiting Príncipe.

By Sea (Not Recommended)

Santo António Port

Santo António Port, the island's only maritime facility, is located in Santo António Bay. The infrastructure consists of a simple jetty or pontoon described as inadequate for regional needs and representing a critical bottleneck for regular, safe, and comfortable maritime service.

The port suffers from severe depth limitations (low bathymetry), with only 2.5 metres depth at high tide and one metre at low tide. These shallow conditions restrict berthing to vessels with draft under 1.2 metres, forcing larger vessels to manage operations according to tidal schedules. Constant silting from sediment carried by Rio Papagaio exacerbates depth problems. The port lacks proper cargo handling equipment—one assessment notes the crane is broken—further limiting operational capacity.

Visitors walking through Santo António may observe the customs building directly facing the port. Nearby, a deteriorating old pontoon displays a replica of the Portuguese Age of Discovery markers (padrões).

Maritime Service

Ferry service between São Tomé and Santo António represents the most economical transport option but is strongly discouraged for visitors due to safety and reliability concerns.

Route details:

  • Service connects São Tomé Island with Santo António Port
  • Journey duration: 8 hours average, ranging from 8 to 12 hours depending on weather conditions
  • Cost: Approximately €45 per journey (one-way), with some sources citing €20-30 for ferry service
  • Vessel: As of March 2023, the "Olivia C" resumed maritime connections

Ships operating this route are often converted fishing vessels adapted for passenger and cargo transport. The journey is uncomfortable, prolonged, irregular, and considered dangerous. Three shipwreck incidents have been reported on this route, underscoring significant safety risks.

The Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends purchasing comprehensive travel insurance before visiting Príncipe, citing recurrent flight interruptions—an advisory that indirectly emphasizes the lack of a reliable maritime alternative when air service encounters problems.

Future Port Development

The Regional Government of Príncipe (RAP) recognizes the port as a critical weakness and has proposed structural improvements. Plans include remodeling the existing Santo António jetty and equipping it with basic unloading equipment to enable safe cargo and passenger vessel operations. A separate project envisions constructing a new port capable of accommodating vessels with draft exceeding 3 metres, with proposed locations at Ponta de Mina or Ponta do Novo Destino.

A strategic future proposal suggests larger vessels would anchor offshore in Santo António Bay, with passengers and cargo transferred to the port via smaller boats and barges operating safely. Additionally, evaluation is underway for creating a dedicated Fishing Port with support infrastructure including cold chain facilities in the Santo António Praia zone.

Practical Advice

Given Príncipe's double isolation and inadequate port infrastructure, air travel via STP Airways represents the only safe, fast, and reliable transport option. The 45-minute flight—affectionately called the "flying bus" by locals—provides secure access despite higher costs. Maritime connections, while economical, present substantial safety risks and unreliability that make them unsuitable for tourism purposes. Visitors should budget for expensive inter-island airfare and arrange ground transport before arrival to ensure smooth access to this remote paradise.