On the island of São Tomé, local beaches serve as vital nurseries for sea turtles. Five distinct species utilize the waters of São Tomé and Príncipe as essential breeding and feeding grounds, rendering the island's coastline a remarkable sanctuary for both wildlife and visitors.
Protecting these delicate habitats requires a fundamental shift in how society approaches the intersection of tourism, conservation, and local communities. With vital support from conservation partners, Programa Tatô collaborates closely with coastal populations to monitor and protect key nesting sites, foster environmental awareness, and cultivate sustainable economic alternatives.
Sustainable ecotourism plays a central role in this strategy, generating economic opportunities directly tied to preserving the natural heritage that defines São Tomé. Today, Programa Tatô employs more than 60 people - primarily drawn from local coastal communities - specializing in conservation, research, education, ecotourism, and marine biodiversity advocacy.
As conservationists emphasize, the destinations travelers visit are living ecosystems long before they become tourist attractions.
Photo credits: Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco Instagram