Cape Verde

The Cape Verde Islands can be found in the southern part of the North Atlantic, consists of 10 islands and 5 smaller islets. The archipelago of Cape Verde welcomes you with a mixture of African and Portuguese heritage. Today, the Cape Verde Islands offer a spellbinding blend of African and Portuguese influences in their architecture, food, customs and traditions.

With a pleasant year-round climate, this island chain offers a diverse range of landscapes from verdant mountain ranges, lush hills and jungles, volcanic landscapes or wide deserted beaches. The harbours and towns are extremely welcoming to visitors – they don’t get many! It’s still a comparatively undiscovered, natural and fresh sort of place and long may that last, we say. All things considered, this is a journey that will open up a vibrant and colourful world, all set against the gentle rhythms of West African music.

Diving is the most popular sport in the archipelago. First of all, this is because of the diverse underwater world. The clean and warm ocean water is home to tuna, moray eels, barracudas, manta rays, eels, lobsters and sea bass. When submerged in water, visibility due to clear water reaches 40 meters. This is thee colonization of the islands, there were an incredible number of shipwrecks, most of them near the islands of Santiago, Sal and Boavista. In the last two, sunken ships can be found at a depth of 12 meters or more.

Sal. The flat island of all. Based on this, it has more opportunities for the development of infrastructure, including Cape Verde tourism. In addition to surfing and diving, sailing boats with transparent bottoms are popular here. Sunken ships and marine life are clearly visible through it. 

Boavista. The island, for the most part, consists of beaches, alternating with oases. The main local attraction is the Viana Desert, where off-road, ATV and motorcycle safaris are constantly held.

Santiago. The largest island in the archipelago. Accordingly, the largest cities of the state and the government are located on it. Accordingly, the majority of the population lives here. An important part of the island is a large natural park with baobabs and dragon trees over 400 years old.

Fogo. Another island of volcanic origin has a protected area with an active volcano. Despite this, the volcano has been dormant for a long time and in the basin of the former eruptions there is a village with a church and a local museum. The nature of Fogo is a series of vineyards, from which the locals make excellent wine. And against the background of vineyards – lifeless fields, scorched by a volcano and beaches with volcanic sand. 

San Vicente. More or less flat terrain and a center of crafts, where they make everything that local traditions dictate-fabric and crafts made of stone and shells.

Santo Antao has the oldest lighthouse in the archipelago and many preserved buildings from the colonization period.

WEATHER

Cape Verde’s climate is very dry and hot. The landscape is desert-like. All the islands are volcanic, but the only active one is Pico do Fogo on the island of Fogo. The climate on the islands is mild, the temperature almost does not change throughout the year. Water temperature is approximately 25 degrees Celsius. Trade winds blow from November to March; temperature drops during the day and at night are insignificant. Daytime temperatures range from +23° C to +30° C. 

These African islands, be sure to set aside 10 days for your trip. It will give you time to relax and explore all the islands. Cape Verde is for more experienced sailors. It’s more about proper ocean sailing than cruising on calm waters. 

Climb aboard, and join the crew. As a member of the crew, you’ll be expected to participate in daily activities necessary to keep everything shipshape. Getting to grips with the ropes and sheets, basic navigation skills and yacht maintenance, setting out the day’s aims according to the weather conditions and the schedule.

PASSAGE

Palmeira, Sal — Boa Vista — Santiago — Fogo — San Vincente — Santo Antao — Palmeira, Sal

DATES

09 Dec – 15 Dec 2024

16 Dec – 22 Dec 2024

COSTS

£950 pp + 250 EUR  contribution (food on board, fuel, marina fees, etc.)

PASSPORT AND VISAS

Please note, your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry to Cape Verde. For the most up-to-date passport and visa info, visit 

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cape-verde