Príncipe's beaches are genuinely extraordinary — warm water, fine sand, and almost no one on them. Most are accessible only by boat or by walking a trail through the forest, which keeps the crowds away even in high season. The sea is calm on the northern and western coasts; the eastern and southern coasts face a heavier swell and stronger currents.
The island's volcanic origin gives many beaches a dramatic setting: forest comes right down to the sand, and in places black rock formations frame the water. Snorkelling is excellent at both ends of Praia Banana and around the offshore islets.