The Cape Verde islands are a small archipelago in the Atlantic, 1,500km south of the Canary Islands and approx. 450 km off the West coast of Africa. The Cape Verde Islands have been a haven for windsurfing and kitesurfing for many years. More recently disovered by divers it offer a year round destination with warm clear water and plenty to see. It's a barren island but everyone who comes here falls under the spell of its mysterious charm and plans to return.
The archipeligo of islands are easily accessible so if you think that one island my not be enough why not hop off and see another one. Although at the present time we can only recommend the diving operation on Sal this may change in the future.
Santa Maria The main area for diving is in the protected bay of Santa Maria in the South of the island offering a good selection of wreck, deep and drift diving to keep even the keenest diver happy.
Buracona & Regona For the more experienced a drive up to the north western coast to visit the caves of Buracona are definitely worth a visit during your trip. Romina and Fabrizio keep a keen eye on weather conditions and will let you know when the conditions are right to go.
Accommodation on Sal ranges from self catering apartments to very comfortable 4/5 star properties. Most properties have a great Caboverdian atmosphere and a strong local culture.
A year round temperature in the mid-high twenties and virtually no rain makes the Cape Verde Islands the ideal destination at any time of year. They enjoy fairly constant cooling breezes which keep the atmosphere almost free from humidity.
Definitely something on offer all year round.
You can be lucky enough to get a glimpse of nurse and sand sharks throughout the year in Sal. From February to June whales are often seen in the area. Due to the turtle breeding season which takes place in March/April you can often see plenty of turtles from June - September. If you're looking for the bigger stuff your best chance for spotting mantas and whalesharks would fall from July - November.
This is a fantastic new diving destination which is truly unspoilt and you can still have the luxury of a dive site to yourself. Although the coral life is pretty limited the fantastic visibility, variety of fish life and possibility to dive wrecks, caves etc more than makes up for it.
Sal has something for everyone. While I would recommend it as a great place to learn there is also plenty for the experienced diver.
The main activity, aside from diving is windsurfing or kitesurfing. Club Mistral and Skyriders located in the centre of Santa Maria bay offer a great service and the latest equipment.
A trip around the island is worthwhile and quite interesting, if not a bit barren ! Car hire is easily arranged and the best way to get around. It is worth a trip over to Ponta Preta to watch some serious wave sailing - check with someone in Santa maria if the waves are there. If they are, you will get the chance to watch some great tricks - even if you're not a windsurfer this is a spectacle worth seeing! You can also visit other islands which are varied and all have their own unique atmosphere.
Although there are not many other activities on offer, Sal is a fantastic place to go for a holiday; the food is amazing (and cheap), the locals always have a smile, the beaches are beautiful and the hotels offer varying standards of comfort and facilities. Sal has a handful of small but charming and fun bars all within easy staggering distance of the hotels. One of our favourites was Q Bar located in the Odjo D'Agua but if you fancy a big night "Pirata" is worth a look.
British Passport holder may buy a tourist visa on arrival at a cost of E25. Other passport holders should consult their respective consulates. All entrants should have a full passport that does not expire within 6 months of your return date.
There are no specific inoculations required for travel to the Cape Verdes, except for those travelling from West African countries with endemic yellow fever. The UK Foreign Office advises passengers to have innoculations against typhoid and hepatitis A. |
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