Cape Verde Adventure Travel Guide

Introducing Cape Verde (Continued...)

m of terrain differs between islands. The southern ‘Sotavento’ islands (meaning leeward wind) are composed of three volcanic islands named Brava, Fogo and Santiago – which hold the highest population densities – and Maio to the east, which is a flat desert island.

The northern ‘Barlavento’ islands (meaning windward) are made up of the flat desert islands Sal and Boa Vista to the east, and to the west the rocky and volcanic Santo Antao, Sao Vicente, Sao Nicolau, Santa Luzia islands and Branco and Raso islets.

Praia is the capital of these explosive islands, and houses a population of over 100,000, more than a fifth of Cape Verde’s population of almost 500,000.

Mt Fogo is the country’s only active volcano; you will find yourself at Cape Verde’s highest peak when you climb its 2829m. Previous eruptions still scar the sides of this volcano.

Cape Verde has a cooler climate than other North African countries. This is because of the cool currents which run past, and the constant North Atlantic Trade Winds, kicking up reliable conditions for activities like windsurfing; however winter brings gusty winds.

Don’t let this put you off, as average temperatures are still in the mid 20’s (ºC) in the winter, and reach late 20’s during the summer months of July through to October.

Average sea temperatures are generally warm, being only a few degrees lower than the average air temperatures – perfect for watersports fanatics who want to hit the first waves of the day, right through to the last at sunset. There is very little rain-fall on these islands, with irregular but heavy downpours from August through October, meaning they can be described as having a semi-desert climate. This also means that the islands don’t have a very apt name, with ‘verde’ being a Spanish word for the colour green, and only a limited amount of vegetation surviving in these conditions.

Windsurfing

Welcome to your new windsurfing paradise. Cape Verde offers un-crowded beaches, waves, warm temperatures and wind! The Cape Verde islands can offer almost ideal windsurfing conditions from November through to June, because of their position in the winter trade wind belt. Although it’s windy, you should be fine with just a rash vest, as the temperatures rarely drop below 20C even in the winter months. You can catch force 4 to 5 winds during the winter months. Cape Verde’s Ponta Preta beach has become the home of the World Wave Jumping Championships in recent years. Hosted in February these have boosted Cape Verde’s credibility as one of the best windsurfing hotspots in the world. If you are a beginner, head out in the summer months to Canoa beach when the winds are a bit lighter and you will be met by smaller waves.

Surfing

Get yourself down to Ponta Preta on the island Sal, where you will find one of the best breaks in the world. The island’s beaches offer great surf conditions and are becoming increasingly popular with tourists. If you want to get away from the crowds then there are plenty of other sandy beaches on the islands, waiting for you to spend a day in their secluded company.

Kitesurfing

Head to the beaches of Sal or Boa Vista, which have become increasingly popular with tourists over recent years. These beaches offer plenty of wind due to their position, so you ought to catch plenty of air! Only five minutes from Santa Maria on Sal, you can find ‘kitebeach’ (Salinas). This beach is a great place for beginners, with no dangerous currents, and a reef which creates easy waves to ride. The beach is very long, giving each kitesurfer enough space. Ponta Leme beach is also ideal for beginners and close to Santa Maria, offering flat water and steady wind conditions. When the swell is south, a long wave is the result which is easy to ride.

Scuba Diving

Cape Verde has it all when it comes to scuba diving, which is why you should be the first of your friends to try it. Firstly, the water is warm and crystal clear. Second, surrounded by coral reefs, you are bound to see all sorts of tropical fish you ever dreamed of, such as parrot fish, angel fish, eels, rays, barracudas and sharks! These reefs are the cause of another attraction – ship wrecks. In the past, the coral reefs surrounding Cape Verde have been responsible for many a sunken ship and with it, sunken treasures. Wrecks surround the islands, so there is a lot of history to catch up on too. Head to Murdeira Villas Bay on Sal where humpback whales bring their calves for a unique experience, or Boa Vista where turtles lay their eggs (from May through to October).

Wildlife and Nature

Looking for a break from watersports? Head off the (paved) road and check out some rare endemic species such as the Cape Verde warbler. Hike through and over Cape Verde’s rough and rugged terrain, exploring corners of the islands other tourists haven’t even got close to. These islands have a great variety of wildlife to intrigue the most intrepid of travellers, especially any keen birdwatchers. Try hiking down into Santo Antao’s spectacular canyons and valleys.

Classic Itineraries

Start your trip on the tourist hotspot Sal, where you are guaranteed great wind and waves for your watersports; be it surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing or sailing there are perfect conditions from novice through to expert to be found in the various beaches on this island, making it a great place to start your trip and get in a good dose of watersports! Scuba dive and watch humpback whales with their young, and check out the tropical fish and coral reefs.

Take a quick trip across the water to Mindelo, on the island Sao Vicente to take in a bit of culture. This town is Cape Verde’s ‘Riviera’, with cobblestone streets and colonial buildings, spend an evening walking down the harbour and watch its bobbing yachts, then grab some fine sea-food before heading for a night on the town with a latin feel. If you are here at the right time of year, check out the Mardi Gras carnival for some flamboyant culture from Cape Verde’s African and Portuguese heritage.

From here, head to the ‘Sotavento’ islands, checking out Praia, the capital of Cape Verde on Santiago, housing about a fifth of the island chain’s population. Here you will really get a feel for the local culture. Island-hop onto Fogo, where you will come across Cape Verde’s only active volcano. Climb this and check out the views from its 2829m peak, before heading back to Sal for the plane home.

Other Activities

For something a bit different and drier on this watersports paradise, how about giving mountainbiking a try? There are around 1,350km of roads across the islands, and only about two thirds of these are paved, so there are plenty of beautiful ocean views to take in at sunset, and plenty of dirt tracks and tougher terrain to try out for the more experienced mountain biker. Or how about trying a bit of everything on a multi-activity trip?