The Bijagos Islands: A Hidden Gem at Risk of Being Lost to Climate Change

Published on December 23, 2025

The Bijagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site off the Atlantic coast of Guinea-Bissau, are under a grave threat from rising sea levels, which are progressively engulfing the islands. Famous for their white sandy beaches, rich biodiversity, and rich cultural traditions, this island chain is now vulnerable only to the vagaries of global warming. The island chain, which is home to endangered species such as sea turtles, hippopotamuses, and manatees, as well as 25,000 people, is threatened by eroding shorelines.

Bubaque Island: A Community in Danger
Bubaque, one of the most populated islands in the Bijagos archipelago with nearly 5,000 inhabitants, is experiencing the full brunt of the environmental crisis. Antonio Honoria Joao, an administrative assistant at Guinea-Bissau’s Institute for Biodiversity and Protected Marine Areas (IBAP), described the peril facing Bubaque’s shoreline. “Fifty years ago, the beach was very wide,” Joao recalled as he walked along the narrow beach, now littered with wrecked canoes and crumbling walls. The coastline is encroaching on the community’s homes and infrastructure, with the sea continuing to advance steadily each year.

The worsening situation has prompted local business owners like Adriano Carlos Souarez, who runs a seaside tourist camp, to take drastic measures to protect his property. Souarez built a 10-meter high barrier made of tyres to fend off the rising waves, but he is deeply concerned about the long-term viability of his business. “When I bought this land, it was five or six meters from the sea. But the distance has shrunk,” he said, expressing his fear that the relentless tide might eventually swallow his property. The damage to local businesses and homes is already evident, as coastal erosion continues to deteriorate the area.

The Devastating Impact on Local Communities and Daily Life
The escalating sea level rise is also disrupting the daily lives of Bubaque’s residents. Joia Mendes Cno, a vegetable seller in the local market, lamented the loss of the coastline. “It wasn’t like this before,” she said, remembering a time when the sea felt distant. Now, the encroaching water has become an ever-present threat. “The sea advances every day, and there is nothing we can do about it,” she added, echoing the frustration felt by many locals who feel helpless in the face of the growing crisis.

According to a report titled Guinea-Bissau’s Strategic Plan 2025, the coastline retreats by up to seven meters annually, causing significant environmental damage, including the loss of mangroves and the destruction of natural habitats. The loss of these vital ecosystems further intensifies the vulnerability of the islands, making the situation even more precarious for both human and animal populations.

The Root Causes: Climate Change and Human Impact
IBAP’s Joao attributes the ongoing erosion primarily to climate change, which is causing sea levels to rise at an unprecedented rate. However, human activities have also played a significant role in exacerbating the situation. Urbanization, waste dumping on beaches, and the destruction of natural vegetation have all contributed to weakening the island’s coastline, making it more susceptible to erosion. As the islands face these multiple challenges, the pressure on local communities and businesses grows, with little support from government or global organizations to address the severity of the problem.

The Threat to Tourism: Bijagos Islands at Risk
The Bijagos Islands have long been a popular destination for tourists seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience in the heart of Africa. With its stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and pristine beaches, the archipelago has attracted eco-tourists, wildlife enthusiasts, and cultural travelers. However, as the islands face growing environmental degradation, the appeal of these once-idyllic islands as a tourist destination is increasingly at risk.

Tourists come to the Bijagos Islands for the experience of exploring a UNESCO World Heritage site, but the environmental deterioration is slowly undermining its natural beauty. If the erosion continues at its current pace, tourists may no longer be able to enjoy the archipelago’s diverse wildlife, pristine beaches, and unique cultural experiences, leading to a sharp decline in tourism revenue.

The Need for Urgent Action: Preserving the Bijagos Islands
To mitigate the ongoing crisis, IBAP has been working to identify affected areas, plant trees, and raise awareness among local communities. However, despite these efforts, more support is needed. The representative of an NGO in the region emphasized that the financial and logistical assistance from international organizations is not sufficient to tackle the scale of the problem. “We receive support from some international organizations, but it is not enough,” he said, calling on the government and global community to take more significant action to safeguard the future of the Bijagos Islands.

Government officials have been urged to increase investment in preserving the islands’ delicate ecosystems and to implement long-term strategies to combat the effects of climate change. The urgency of the situation calls for a concerted effort from both local authorities and the international community to prevent the irreversible loss of one of Africa’s most unique and valuable coastal regions.

A Crossroad for the Bijagos Islands

The Bijagos Islands are at a crossroads, and the fate of their environments and tourist sector hangs in limbo. Rising sea levels and human behavior are destroying the coast of the island, which could result in the destruction of the very lifelihoods of the people who live on the islands. Otherwise, the islands will end up losing their attractiveness and charm, making it difficult for tourists to visit.