Sal Windsurfing Holidays

One of the Cape Verde Islands, just off the coast of North West Africa, Sal is a well known windsurfing destination for 'down the line' waveriding, and is one of the few short flight destinations where you will find reliable wind in the winter.

The main are for windsurfing is Santa Maria at the southern end of Sal. The bay at Santa Maria has a 4 Km stretch of beautiful white sandy beaches. This is the best area for beginners and intermediates.

For more experienced windsurfers, and enthusiastic wave novices, Ponte Leme is perfect. Here you will find clean, unbreaking waves up to 2 meters.

The most famous wave spot on Sal is at Ponta Preta; a must visit spot if only even to watch the extraordinary 3 to 6 meter wave peeling just 50 meters from the shore line. This is only for advanced windsurfers as there is cross off shore wind (perfect wave sailing direction) with no safety cover.

Thanks to their position within the winter trade-wind belt, the Cape Verde islands supply steady force 4 to force 5 windsurfing conditions from November until May.

On the main Santa Maria beach the cross-offshore, or side-shore wind from the left enables effortless upwind sailing to the various sections of the beach.

The main activity, aside from windsurfing or kitesurfing, is scuba diving. The dive centres have an excellent set-up and offers a full range of courses and daily diving.

Other activities Sal offers are Buggy Tours, Kitesurfing, SUP, Boat trips to Boa Vista, Surfing, Quadbiking, and full island tours are also available.

Santa Maria has a few clubs with regular live music, restaurants and bars with a friendly buzzing atmosphere.

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.

Flight time is 5 hours departing from Gatwick, Birmingham or Manchester.

Local transfer takes around 35 minutes