Praia Piscina, Beach in Malanza, São Tomé and Príncipe
Praia Piscina is a beach in Malanza where dark volcanic rocks form a natural pool when the tide comes in, backed by thick tropical plants. The rocky shoreline creates a sheltered basin that fills with seawater, giving the place its name and character.
This beach was shaped by ancient volcanic activity that formed the southern coast of São Tomé island during the island's geological creation. The volcanic processes left behind the rock formations that define the area today.
Local fishermen work the waters near this spot, grilling their daily catch and selling it to visitors who come to watch them work. Their presence gives the shore a working atmosphere that feels authentic and lived-in.
You need a four-wheel drive vehicle to reach this beach because the roads are unpaved and rough, taking about two hours from São Tomé city. Come prepared for a remote location with basic facilities.
When the tide rises, fresh seawater mixes within the rock basin and maintains a steady temperature in the enclosed pool. This creates a rare swimming spot in an otherwise rugged coastline where calm water is hard to find.
Location: Malanza
Address: Praia Piscina, São Tomé and Príncipe
GPS coordinates: 0.02799,6.51232
Latest update: December 6, 2025 19:05
São Tomé and Príncipe is an island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with volcanic mountains, rainforests and Atlantic coastlines. The main island of São Tomé combines natural landscapes with historical traces of colonial cocoa production. Abandoned plantations, known as roças, stand among dense forests, while beaches like Banana Beach and Praia Piscina offer sand and clear water for swimming. The landscape ranges from flat coastal strips to mountains in the interior, where waterfalls such as Cascata de São Nicolau flow through tropical vegetation. Obo National Park protects much of the original rainforest and offers trails through dense vegetation with endemic plants and birds. Pico Cão Grande, a 663-meter (2,175-foot) volcanic rock tower, rises alone from the forest and is visible from several viewpoints. Along the southern coast, a marker near Ilhéu das Rolas marks the equator, which crosses the island. In São Tomé city, the cathedral, Fort São Sebastião and the National Museum recall the Portuguese colonial period, while the Presidential Palace and markets show everyday life today.
Cão Grande
11.7 km
Pico Santo Tomé
27.2 km
Estadio 12 de Julio
42.4 km
Obo National Park
14.9 km
Presidential Palace of São Tomé e Príncipe
42.5 km
National Library of São Tomé and Príncipe
42.1 km
Forte de São Jerónimo
42.4 km
Our Lady of Conception Church, São Tomé
42.1 km
Supreme Court of São Tomé and Príncipe
42.5 km
Arquivo Histórico de São Tomé
42.7 km
Saint Nicholas Waterfall
31.3 km
Pillar of the Equator
3.4 km
Hellmouth
31.5 km
Jardín Botánico
31.1 km
Praia das Sete Ondas
29 km
Roça Água-Izé
31.7 km
Mercado Municipal São Tomé
42.1 km
Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe
40.3 km
Cão Grande Peak
11.7 km
Praia Pipa
10 km
Praia Picão
37.5 km
Cascada de la Playa Pesqueira
14.4 km
Praia Jale
3 km
Conjuntos Urbanos, São Tomé
42.3 km
Praia Inhame
1.4 km
Cathedral of São Tomé
42.4 km
Cascata de Bombaim
28.5 km
Rio do Ouro
41 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes