Sao Tome and Principe are two volcanic islands in the Gulf of Guinea, sitting almost exactly on the equator. The islands catch south and southwest Atlantic swells that produce reef breaks and beach breaks along their volcanic coastlines. The best surf arrives from May through September. Water temperatures are warm at 25-29C year-round. These tiny Portuguese-speaking islands are spectacularly beautiful, with volcanic peaks rising from cocoa plantations and primary rainforest. Principe is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The relaxed island pace, colonial-era plantation houses (rocas), chocolate production, and Afro-Portuguese Creole culture make this one of the most exotic and least-known surf destinations on earth.