Sailing area Cape Verde Islands
Mindelo - Sao Vicente
Our charter base at the Cape Verde Islands is situated on the friendly island Sao Vicente, approx. 320 miles West of
the coast of Senegal and at about 750 miles South of the Canary Islands.
Mindelo is used often as the departure place, because it is most good reachable form all other marinas and islands
with the North East wind. In the channel between the islands blows a strong wind, but from the right direction.
The nautical connections between the islands are excellent. You can choose a few short and calm crosses between the
islands, or a longer and more exciting cross with powerful winds. Sailing in the Passat zone guarantees wind!
In a time scale of one week you can visit approx. 4-5 islands. An example: From Sao Vicente (in 45 mile) to Sao Nicolau
and from the uninhabited islands Raso, Branco and Santa Luzia back to the charter base. Longer trips are possible: sail to
the island Sal or to the island Santiago with the capital Praia. All information you will find on board of your yacht.
For some islands you need a permission to go ashore.
It is a perfect sailing area for people who want to discover something else then the common sailing areas. An area in her
original state with no luxury marinas, no big tourism industry etc. This area offers many anchor bays and the dinghy is
the most common way to go ashore. The offer of "boat boys" is big; you can rent them for a small fee and they will look after
the yacht while you are away and they are handy with shopping, getting fuel, etc. It is recommended and the habit to
keep the boat boys at the deck and to close the yacht properly when you go ashore.
On the islands you can get in contact easily with the local people and you will get a good impression of the colourful
inhabitants. The small restaurants with the typical meals, lobster, fish, etc. are everywhere. Tip: the local people
are happy with clothes that you don't use any more. Don't feel ashamed to bring them with you.
The Cape Verde Islands consists of 25 islands, of which 9 are inhabited. Every island has an own character. The Western islands
have high volcanic mountains are rocky coast lines. The Eastern islands are plane. The long sandy beaches you can find on the islands
Sal, Maio and Boavista.
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