Located right on the Equator line, an isolated resort for honeymoons and general escapes Pestana Equator from the civilized world with an offer of fishing and diving activities. Pestana Equator is located at Ilheu das Rolas, about 60 km from capital of São Tome & Principe, and is a paradise for leisure, romantic holidays or nautic sports. With its crystal clear unspoiled waters, it offers a colourful underwater world seldom seem, which makes it a heaven for scuba divers, snorkelling or other water sports lovers. This island beach resort is ideal for the family summer vacation with a bit of excitement.
The accommodation
The Pestana Eqator has unique panoramic views over the ocean, and it has all the comfort and Pestana Equator rooms sophistication that you are looking for in an hotel to have a nice holiday.
The hotel is quite large with 70 very nicely decorated, wooden, ensuite rooms and the biggest free form swimming pool I have seen. Meals are on a buffet basis and are good but nothing special though the seafood and salads were good. The main bar and games rooms is rather large but there is a nicer smaller bar in the old plantation lodge where snacks are also served.
There is a well organised dive center which organises three dives per day. There are some great dives sites mainly based around volcanic rocks with arches and caves to explore. There are some hard and soft corals and plenty of fish, eels, octopus, turtles and much more to look at. A number of the clients visiting are at the hotel specifically to dive. The lodge also has deep sea fishing boats otherwise activities include walks around the island and lounging by the pool or on the beach.
Things to do:
The island of Rolas is stunning with some lovely beaches and rocky coves (do watch out for Sao tome and Principe hills the rocks when swimming) and to the south of the island volcanic cliffs with caves and blow holes. There are two hills on the island, one which has the light house which you can climb with permission from the light house keeper. The Equator cuts the island and a short walk from the hotel there is a small monument and tiled world map showing the line of the Equator. From here you get lovely views across to the main island of São Tomé with its volcanic plugs and heavily jungle covered volcanoes. There are also lovely views over the hotel and down to the beaches.
Visit ancient roças
Príncipe’s history is as rich as its exotic plant and animal life. During the island tour, Plantations ancient rocas you will be able to explore the old Portuguese town of Santo Antonio and enjoy its mixture of African, European and South American culture, see something of daily life in a traditional fishing village and pay a visit to one of the old cocoa or coffee plantations (known locally as roças). Príncipe’s primary forest remains largely unsurveyed since the beginning of the century. With its tropical climate, rugged landscape, exotic plants and animals, clear waters and perfectly palm-fringed beaches, it’s very easy to feel like the first ever explorer setting foot on the island
