Bijagós Islands
Guinea-Bissau · Atlantic Ocean
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of 88 islands off Guinea-Bissau, where saltwater hippopotamuses wade among mangroves, critically endangered sawfish patrol shallow bays, and nesting sea turtles crowd pristine beaches above untouched coral gardens.
What you will see
18 species across the dive sites here
Saltwater Hippopotamus
Seen May 2025
at Orango Island
Vulnerable
Village Weaver
Seen Apr 2025
at Canhabaque Reef
Least concern
Eurasian Whimbrel
Seen Feb 2025
at Orango Island
Least concern
Green Sea Turtle
Seen Oct 2024
at Orango Island
Least concern
Nile Monitor
Seen Aug 2024
at Poilão Turtle Beach Reef
Least concern
Atlantic Nurse Shark
Seen year round
at Orango Island
Vulnerable
Cowtail Stingray
Seen year round
at Canhabaque Reef
Near threatened
Cubera Snapper
Seen year round
at Canhabaque Reef
Vulnerable
Giant Sea Fan
Seen year round
at João Vieira Wall
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Seen year round
at Poilão Turtle Beach Reef
Critically endangered
Longfin Batfish
Seen year round
at Canhabaque Reef
Least concern
Spotted Eagle Ray
Seen year round
at Orango Island
Endangered
Spotted Porcupinefish
Seen year round
at João Vieira Wall
Least concern
Whitespotted Pufferfish
Seen year round
at Poilão Turtle Beach Reef
Least concern
Great Hammerhead Shark
Seasonal visitor
at João Vieira Wall
Critically endangered
Guitarfish
Seasonal visitor
at Poilão Turtle Beach Reef
Critically endangered
Tiger Shark
Seasonal visitor
at João Vieira Wall
Near threatened
West African Seahorse
Seasonal visitor
at Canhabaque Reef
Vulnerable
Dive sites
Orango Island
saltwater hippopotamus · green sea turtle · spotted eagle ray · atlantic nurse shark
Poilão Turtle Beach Reef
green sea turtle · hawksbill sea turtle · guitarfish · whitespotted pufferfish
Canhabaque Reef
cubera snapper · cowtail stingray · west african seahorse · longfin batfish
João Vieira Wall
great hammerhead shark · giant sea fan · tiger shark · spotted porcupinefish