SWIM THE EQUATOR,
FIND YOURSELF
Swim 3.8km across open water from Rolas islet to São Tomé, crossing from the Northern into the Southern hemisphere.
- Dates
- 10 to 17 February 2027
- Distance
- 3.8 km
The crossing
One swim, from one hemisphere to the other
The main event covers 3.8 km of open water from Rolas islet, which sits on the equator line, north across the channel to São Tomé. Water sits between 26 and 28°C year round, so it is swum in trunks or a costume, not a wetsuit.
Beyond the swim
The island is the rest of the week
Equator Crossing is built around one swim, but the trip around it is what people remember.
Trip length
8 days
Activities
5
Water temp
26–28°C
01
3.8km, hemisphere to hemisphere
Rolas islet São Tomé, under your own power
The reason everyone comes. Warm, clear water between 26 and 28°C year-round, an escort boat the whole way, and one exact line on the map where the Northern hemisphere becomes the Southern.
02
Rainforest older than the swim is long
Guided hikes into São Tomé's volcanic interior
São Tomé's centre is dense primary rainforest, part of the Obô Natural Park, with volcanic spires, waterfalls, and cocoa roças reclaimed by jungle. Half-day and full-day routes for different fitness levels, always with a local guide.
03
Yoga and meditation, equatorial sunrise
A quieter counterweight to race-day nerves
Morning sessions timed to the equator's fast, even sunrise, the same light year-round, twelve hours on the nose. Open to swimmers shaking out pre-crossing nerves and to anyone along for the trip who isn't swimming a stroke.
04
Uncrowded Atlantic swell
Surf sessions on São Tomé's south-west coast
São Tomé sits exposed to open Atlantic swell with almost none of the crowds that come with it. Board hire and local instruction available for beginners; guides for those who just want to know where the good sets break.
05
A morning with the Angolares fishermen
Cultural immersion, not a photo stop
The Angolares, descendants of shipwrecked Angolan slaves, still fish the coast in wooden canoes carved by hand. Visits are arranged directly with the community, watching boats come in, hearing how the catch is shared, seeing craft passed down over generations.
The islands
Where the crossing happens
São Tomé and Príncipe sits in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the equator. The channel between Rolas islet and the main island is the stretch you swim.
Photo library
Browse the islands
Every photo below was taken on São Tomé and Príncipe. Open one and step through the whole set.
Swimmers on the crossing
Every quote below comes from someone who swam the channel and agreed to have their words published here.
“I’m an amateur athlete and I love a challenge. When I first heard about the crossing, I hadn’t trained much, but I jumped in with both feet. It was tough, but it was worth every moment. Great people, a fantastic atmosphere, an incredible challenge, all in a place that truly feels like paradise on Earth. I couldn’t be happier to have been part of the beginning of this special project.”
“Like every race, it had its difficulties, its ups and downs, but it was within expectations. I have many participations, both international and national, in open water events, and this was another one that I would really love to do again. I enjoyed it a lot, truly. I’m already planning the next race. I will be here again.”
“I took part in the Equator Crossing event in 2025 and 2026. More than the attempt itself, it was the experience of feeling and living São Tomé in a different way: being part of the growth of an event that involves the local community, that allowed me to challenge myself, get to know myself better, and want to return once again! I haven’t completed the crossing yet, but I know I will! I’m grateful to Equator Crossing, whom I met along the way and whose project is making dreams grow, drop by drop. I’ll be back with you in 2027!”
“The event is simply fantastic, with a very accessible level of difficulty for anyone who wants to experience a true open‑water challenge. I felt safe and confident at all times thanks to my kayak guide, who was impeccable from start to finish. The water quality is extraordinary — so clear that I could see the seabed throughout the entire route. It was a unique and unforgettable experience, and I will definitely take part again.”
“This was my first open‑water race at that distance, and I honestly didn’t expect to finish it. But the desire to prove that I’m capable pushed me beyond my limits, and today that effort comes back doubled”
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