Port-Gentil
Go to Port-Gentil for Atlantic beaches, mangrove waterways in the Ogooué delta, and a quiet coastal stop in an oil city.
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Port-Gentil is Gabon's second-largest city, on the Atlantic coast where the Ogooué River reaches the sea. It sits on Mandji Island, and offshore oil is the main industry behind its economy. Visitors come for the island's beaches and the mangrove waterways of the Ogooué delta.
Port-Gentil suits travelers who want a quiet coastal stop, with a few days for the beaches and waterways. Cap Lopez, with its lighthouse and quiet beaches, is a short trip from town, and Loango National Park, known for forest, beaches and wildlife, is reached by light plane or boat. The drier season runs roughly from June to August, and two to three days covers the city and its nearby coast. Book lodging and airport transfers before you arrive. Check current entry requirements for Gabon before you book, since they can change.
Port-Gentil in five
- Get a visa or e-visa before you flyCheck whether you need a visa or e-visa for Gabon, and whether it can be applied for online. Check the rules for your passport before you book flights.Visas and entry
- Carry a yellow fever certificateCheck whether Gabon requires a yellow fever certificate for your route. If it does, keep the paper certificate in your hand luggage, since officials may ask for it on arrival.Visas and entry
- Carry CFA francs in cashPlan to carry cash in XAF for taxis, markets and small restaurants, and ask your hotel which cards it accepts.Money and costs
- Set up mobile data before you landBuy a local SIM or an eSIM plan before the flight, so you can book transfers and call your lodging from the airport.Phones and eSIM
- Get insurance that covers evacuationCheck that your policy covers medical evacuation before you travel, in case you need transfer out of the area.Travel insurance
Things to do in Port-Gentil
See all attractions in Port-GentilNeed to know
- Currency
- Central African CFA franc (XAF)
- Entry
- Depends on nationality; check your passport before you book
- Emergency
- Ask your lodging for the police and ambulance numbers
- Tipping
- Ask at your hotel or restaurant whether service is included
- Time
- UTC+1, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryHot, wet
- FebruaryHot, wet
- MarchRain, humid
- AprilRain, humid
- MayRains easing
- JuneDrier season
- JulyDrier, cooler
- AugustDrier, cooler
- SeptemberRains return
- OctoberHeavy rain
- NovemberHeavy rain
- DecemberRainy, humid
Right now in Port-Gentil
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
27
- Feels like
- 30°
- Humidity
- 87%
- Wind
- 18 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 80%
Port-Gentil
09:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today29°25°80%Monday: Rain. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Tue27°24°92%Tuesday: Rain. High 27°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Wed27°25°86%Wednesday: Rain. High 27°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Thu29°25°80%Thursday: Rain. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Fri28°26°57%Friday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Sat28°25°70%Saturday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 70%.
- Sun28°24°84%Sunday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 84%.
Updated 07:31 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 587.8 XAF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Cap Lopezby road from townA coastal cape with a lighthouse and quiet beaches, a short trip from the town.Read the guide
- Loango National Parkby light plane or boatA coastal park known for forest, beaches and wildlife, reached by light plane or boat.Read the guide
- Librevilleby air from Port-GentilThe capital, with markets and the coast, for travelers who want a wider loop.Read the guide
Before you go to Port-Gentil
Rules for Port-Gentil, checked
- Gabon may require a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Carry the original and check the current requirement with the Gabonese authorities before you travel.
- Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form at arrival or departure. Check the current amount with Gabonese customs before you travel.
- Check your visa or e-visa status on the official Gabonese government portal before you book flights, since rules differ by nationality.
Plan around Port-Gentil
Regions, transport and entry rules for a trip beyond Port-Gentil
Read the guideVisas and entryWhich documents to carry and how to apply before you fly
Read the guideGetting aroundFlights, taxis and car hire for the coast and nearby parks
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices for food, rides and sights
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels and guesthouses by area, from budget to comfort
Read the guideAfricaOther African countries for a longer route
Read the guidePort-Gentil FAQ
Is Port-Gentil worth visiting?
Yes if you want a coastal base on the Ogooué delta for trips such as Loango National Park. It suits a trip with a clear purpose.
How do you get to Port-Gentil?
By air, through Port-Gentil's airport. Book flights early and ask your lodging about airport transfers before you arrive.
How many days do you need in Port-Gentil?
Two nights cover the town and a day trip to Cap Lopez. Add more nights if you plan to visit Loango National Park or join a wildlife tour.
Do you need cash in Port-Gentil?
Yes. Carry CFA francs for taxis, markets and small restaurants, and ask your hotel which cards it accepts.
What is the best time to visit Port-Gentil?
June to August, when the rains ease and the days are drier. The rainy months from October to December bring heavy rain and high humidity.