The port town of Luba (population: 15,000) is the second-largest city on the island and a two-hour drive from Malabo. The local specialty is fish served with plantains, a delicious dish well worth the drive down.
An easy stop on the road to Luba, Arena Blanca is the only white-sand beach on the island and only an hour away from Malabo. In the dry season, scores of butterflies "mudpuddle" along the side of the trail. Swimming is encouraged.
A bit farther along the west coast from Luba is the Bubi village of Batete, a very old settlement distinguished by its wooden church, which still stands despite the onslaught of storms that buffet this area in the rainy season.
A ways inland from Luba, along the road to Moka, is Moeri, another old Bubi town. Moeri is set on the southern slopes of Pico Basile and has a well-preserved Spanish colonial church.
