Poilão Island
Bijagós island sacred for sea turtle nesting
Poilão, part of the Bijagós Archipelago in Bolama, is a conserved island famed for mass green turtle nesting. Researchers and eco-tour groups visit during nesting season to observe protected beaches and local conservation efforts.
Poilão at a Glance#
About Poilão#
Poilão is an island in the Bijagós (Bissagos) Archipelago of Guinea-Bissau known primarily for its significance as a green sea turtle nesting site. The island has long been recognized by researchers and local communities for very high numbers of turtle nests during the breeding season.
The island’s primary attraction for researchers and conservationists is its long, lightly developed nesting beaches which host large concentrations of Chelonia mydas (green sea turtles) during the nesting season. Access to the island is managed by local communities and conservation authorities to protect nesting turtles and hatching success.
Conservation and community-based protection measures have been important in recent decades to maintain nesting habitat and reduce poaching and disturbance. The island lies within the maritime environment of the southern Bijagós, among other small islands and reefs that form the archipelago off the coast of Guinea-Bissau.
- Turtle nesting: One of the most important green sea turtle nesting sites in the Bijagós Archipelago, with conservation monitoring recording thousands of nests in peak seasons.
- Access and protection: Access is controlled by local communities and conservation programs to reduce disturbance during nesting and hatching seasons.
What to See#
- Nesting beaches: Long sandy nesting beaches that receive the bulk of green sea turtle nesting activity and are the primary focus of local conservation work.
How to Get to Poilão#
Poilão is reached by boat from the Bijagós archipelago’s main islands-transport is organized through local operators and park authorities. Access is controlled during nesting season; obtain permissions and local guides in advance.
Tips for Visiting Poilão#
- Poilão is part of the Bijagós archipelago's marine protected areas-arrange travel through local park authorities to ensure permitted access, and be aware of strict protections for nesting turtles.
- Visit between March and May for the peak of leatherback turtle nesting-local guides coordinate permitted beach visits at night during the nesting season.
Best Time to Visit Poilão#
Best visited for turtle nesting (March-May) or in dry season for safer travel.
Weather & Climate near Poilão#
Tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 20°C to 34°C. Heavy rainfall (2594 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 20° - 33° | 26° | 1 mm | mostly sunny | 64% | 4.0 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.5h |
| February | Excellent | 20° - 33° | 27° | 2 mm | mostly sunny | 65% | 3.3 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.7h |
| March | Excellent | 22° - 34° | 30° | 1 mm | mostly sunny | 70% | 2.9 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Excellent | 23° - 34° | 32° | 3 mm | some cloud | 72% | 2.8 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.3h |
| May | Very Good | 24° - 33° | 33° | 35 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 2.7 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.5h |
| June | Acceptable | 25° - 33° | 35° | 249 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.8 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.6h |
| July | Acceptable | 25° - 32° | 34° | 685 mm | overcast | 86% | 3.2 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.6h |
| August | Acceptable | 25° - 31° | 33° | 795 mm | overcast | 87% | 2.8 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.3h |
| September | Acceptable | 25° - 32° | 34° | 465 mm | overcast | 86% | 2.6 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.1h |
| October | Acceptable | 25° - 33° | 34° | 291 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 2.4 m/s | 2.0 very high | 11.8h |
| November | Very Good | 24° - 33° | 32° | 59 mm | some cloud | 72% | 2.5 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.5h |
| December | Excellent | 21° - 33° | 27° | 8 mm | mostly sunny | 67% | 3.3 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.4h |