3C0W Team will be active from Annobon Island, IOTA AF - 039, during September 2025.
Team - YL2GM, EA5EL.
Recent DX Spots 3C0W
3C0W Log search They will operate on 160 - 6m.
QSL via YL2GN, ClubLog OQRS, LOTW.
Ads for direct QSL:
Ziedonis Knope, P.O.Box 55, Balvi, LV-4501, Latvia.
Annobon Island in the Atlantic Ocean
Annobon Island is located in the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean and is part of Equatorial Guinea. The island is volcanic in origin and has a warm climate, making it ideal for tourism and ecotourism. Annobón was discovered on the first day of 1473 by Portuguese sailors, which is how it got its name—in Portuguese, the word “annobón” means “good year.”
3C0W Annobon Island DX Pedition. QSL.
Nature and climate
The island has a distinct oval shape with a winding coastline alternating between mountainous and flat areas. It covers an area of approximately 17 square kilometers. The mountainous terrain becomes more pronounced closer to the center of the island, where the highest point of the island is located – Pico Mazafín, which rises 831 meters above sea level.
Due to the volcanic nature of the island, the sand on the beaches is dark yellow or black in color. In the very center of the island, right in the volcanic crater, lies the picturesque Lagoa do Pot. In addition, the entire territory of Annobón is covered by a network of small rivers that flow into the bay.
The climate on Annobón is moderately equatorial with high humidity. The temperature throughout the year ranges from +20 to +30°C. The rainy season falls in the summer, with the peak in August-September, when hurricanes are common.
Cayucos - wooden boats, Annobon Island. Author - k3s (Kris).
History of the island
Before its discovery by a Portuguese expedition, the island was completely uninhabited, as confirmed by archaeological research. In 1484, the Portuguese, led by Diogo Cão, landed on the island again, rediscovering it. However, Annapolis remained uninhabited until 1525, when the Spaniard Garcia Joffre de Luis landed there with his expedition and proclaimed it Spanish territory. At the same time, the Spaniards gave the island its own name, San Mateo.
In the 1640s, a military conflict broke out between Spain and Portugal, lasting several years, which the Dutch took advantage of and captured Annobón along with other islands in the Gulf of Guinea. From that moment on, African slaves began to be actively brought to the island, continuing the tradition of the Portuguese, who had once used this remote territory to exile prisoners.
In 1778, Spain and Portugal signed a treaty under which Annapolis, which had been a disputed territory for many years, was ceded to Spain.
In 1801, the British government was allowed to use the island as a staging post for English sailors, where they could replenish their supplies of provisions and fresh water on their way to India.
Spain held the island until 1968, when Equatorial Guinea, located in close proximity to Annapolis, officially declared it part of its territory.
Annobon Island. Author - Mehdi Berrada.
Annobón today
Modern Annobón is notable not only for its beautiful nature and great industrial potential. Oil discovered in the island's subsoil has contributed to the economic prosperity of the island and Equatorial Guinea as a whole for many years. However, the majority of the local population is not employed in the oil industry, but in fishing and agriculture.
The largest city and capital of Annobón is San Antonio de Palé, located on the northern coast. More than half of the island's population lives in the capital, approximately 3,000 people.
The total population is only about 5,000 people, who ethnically consider themselves Annobonese. The official language of the island is Annobonese, which was formed as a result of the fusion of the languages of the peoples who have lived here for centuries. Modern Spanish is also quite common in everyday life.
Annobon Island. Author - Jorge Alvaro Manzano.
Tourism development on Annobón
The development of the tourism sector on the island has not received as much attention as it should, despite all the conditions for its development. There are only three hotels on the island, offering average service. Despite the poorly developed hotel infrastructure, the island has a small but modern airport located not far from the capital.
Guinean planes fly here regularly from the mainland. You can also get to the island by sea—there are a few seaports on Annobón. Thanks to the small number of visitors and low urbanization, Annobón has become popular with eco-tourists and active vacationers.
Volcanic mountains, dotted with mountain rivers, lakes, and covered with tropical forests, provide ideal conditions for trekking enthusiasts. Among the man-made attractions that are definitely worth visiting are the ruins of ancient fortresses built by the Portuguese.
