Beaches in Guinea-Bissau

An Atlantic coast of mangrove, estuary and the Bijagós archipelago — eighty-eight islands, of which around twenty are inhabited, designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The islands are matrilineal in social organisation and hold sacred sites that outsiders may not enter. Tidal ranges are large, the channels between islands are complex, and travel is by pirogue on local terms. There is almost no tourism infrastructure. The dry season runs November to May. Practically: there is effectively no tourism infrastructure, transport within the archipelago is by pirogue on local terms, and tides govern everything. Certain islands and groves are sacred and closed to outsiders absolutely. The country has had a turbulent political history and current travel advice should be read before planning anything at all. The Bijagós hold populations of saltwater hippopotamus and one of the most important green turtle nesting sites in the eastern Atlantic, at Poilão, which is sacred and effectively closed. Orango National Park is the one part of the archipelago with any visitor arrangement at all, and it is minimal.