Marine megafauna and five species of sea turtles also frequent the coast.

Henrique SERUCA/COURTESY OF HBD PRINCIPE

Yet few people make the trip to see them.

(The Galapagos Islands get around 10 times that.)

Three photos showing surf, trees, and sky with the Travel + Leisure Global Vision Awards banner

Those who do go are met with more than just incredible wildlife and uncrowded beaches.

(The initials HBD stand for here be dragons, as one might imagine on an old map.)

Theres also the oceanfrontBom Bom, the companys first hotel, which reopened last September after a five-year renovation.

Pilot Teara Fraser inside a plane

Now we have a new generation.

And HBDs growing constellation of projects means theres always more to do.

Its a bit of a universal basic income program, says Jorge Alcobia, who heads up the initiative.

A trio of watches, one each with a black, pink, and blue band, on aqua colored tiles

If people enrollits voluntarywe will pay those who commit to maintain and preserve nature as it is.

One of the most significant aspects of HBD Principe is its focus on preserving the islands unique biodiversity.

A woman holds a fishing net for recycling

A red and white plane on an ice field in Antarctica

A cabin in the Dutch forest, with a woman sitting on the deck

Aerial view of a guest resort in Sao Tome and Principe

An aerial view of a cruise port destination in Alaska

A group of people birdwatching on a raised platform

White tourist domes in the Antarctic landscape

A smiling pilot named Teara Fraser stands behind a wing of her plane

Aerial view of a guest resort in Sao Tome and Principe

A guest villa at Sundy Praia, in São Tomé and Príncipe.Credit:JOÃO AMORIM/COURTESY OF HBD PRÍNCIPE

A pristine beach at HBP Principe in São Tomé and Príncipe

The beach near Bom Bom.Henrique SERUCA/COURTESY OF HBD PRÍNCIPE

Pair of photos from Sao Tome and Principe, one showing a guest bungalow, and one showing hotel staff carrying a tray with food under cloches

From left: An oceanside bungalow at Bom Bom; dinner service at Sundy Praia.MAIQUE MADEIRA/COURTESY OF HBD PRÍNCIPE

Pair of photos, one showing detail of a bed and painting in a guest room, and one showing a hotel lobby

From left: A guest room at Roça Sundy; the lobby of the resort.GERALDINE BRUNEEL/COURTESY OF HBD PRÍNCIPE

A restaurant interior with natural design materials

The restaurant at Sundy Praia.GERALDINE BRUNEEL/COURTESY OF HBD PRÍNCIPE