Windsurfing Holidays In Cape Verde
Cape Verde is the great destination for the a windsurfing holiday during the winter months as it is the ONLY wind reliable hot destination within a short haul flight of the UK. This makes it our number 1 recommendation for all levels of windsurfer from November to April weather for a family windsurf holiday, traveling as a group as well as having lots to offer for non-windsurfing partners or friends. The Cape Verde consist of 10 Islands just off the coast of West Africa, each island offering is own unique blend of culture, topography and attractions from the Volcano on Fargo to the stunning beaches of Boa Vista.
The main Islands to visit in Cape Verde are:
Sal – this is mostly a beach resort with some of the best Windsurf, Kitesurf and diving facilities of all the islands apart from Boa Vista. The beach of Santa Maria has a good choice of nice small but good hotels including one of our favourites, the Morabeza hotel. The town offers a few nice spots to eat out and a couple of bars that get quite lively from Thursday to Sunday. There is little else on Sal Island but it does have a good network of flights tot eh other islands.
Boa Vista – this island has the most stunning beaches to be found on the Islands and is less developed that Sal in terms of tourism. Like Sal there are some first class Windsurf, Kitesurf and Diving facilities with a better range for conditions from very flat to big waves. Boa Vista has some beautiful small villages to visit as part of a day tour around the Island. There is a good range of accommodation from beach from all-inclusive resorts spread out along the west coast to small town hotels for a more authentic Cape Verdian feel.
Santiago - With a unique blend of diverse landscapes, volcanic rocks, green valleys, barren regions and beautiful beaches Santiago is aesthetically pleasing. Hiking is popular here as this is one of the few islands with a refreshing hinterland which can be very rewarding. Ornithologists will be in their element as most of the species endemic to Cape Verde can be spotted here. A 1-2 day fly in visit to this Island from Sal or Boa Vista makes a nice addition to your holiday if you have the time.
Sao Vicente - São Vicente is home to some of Cape Verde''s greatest musicians, writers and thinkers. Generally considered the cultural hub of the island, Mindelo is proud of its rich tradition of music and art and has a vibrant nightlife with a lively buzz of music throughout the pubs, restaurants and nightclubs. If you''re looking for culture and a traditional experience then São Vicente will not disappoint. As with Santiago a 1-2 day fly in visit to this Island from Sal or Boa Vista makes a nice addition to your holiday if you have the time.
You can also get a ferry from here to Santo Antao allowing a full day visit to explore here.
Cape Verde is pleasant year-round. Even during the so-called rainy season from mid-August to mid-October, weeks can go by without a downpour. Thanks to cooling ocean currents and offshore winds, Cape Verde has the lowest temperatures of any country in West Africa, and also some of the most moderate, ranging from a minimum night-time average of 19°C in February to a maximum daytime average of 29°C from May to November. Summer temperatures, especially in the northern islands, can be cooler than in Europe, though the southern islands, especially Fogo, can get hot and sticky. From December to March you may need a sweater in the evenings, especially at higher altitudes. Winter months are also marked by gusty winds, which blow in dust all the way from the Sahara.
Top regions in cape-verde
Sal is an island on the Cape Verde islands, just off the coast of north-west Africa (south of the Canary Islands). During the winter months (November to April) there is always clean, consistent and reliable winds blowing everyday.
There are few good hotels in Sal. However, those looking for the best hotel in Sal and the one Planet Kitesurf highly recommends is the Morabeza Hotel in Sal. This hotel is particularly suitable for those travelling with non-windsurfing partners or a family as it has many amentities to cater for everyone's needs.
When it comes to the windsurfing in Sal there are 3 main spots; the main bay of Santa Maria beach (where most of the accommodation is based), Ponta Leme which is great for blasting (waterstarts) and of course Ponte Preta for down the line wave riding. Sal is not ideal for learning to windsurf, although we do offer a full range of courses. For a beginner windsurf holiday we would suggest the island of Boa Vista as the conditions are just perfect.
The Cape Verde islands are very well know by wave riders. There are some small easy waves at the far end of the main Santa Maria beach for those that want to gibe and windsurf in a safe spot. If you are confident or more experienced windsurfer then Ponte Preta (about a 25 minute drive to the west coast) is a phenomenal 'full-on' wave spot. On the outside section in Ponta Leme there is some nice swell to ride on too.
Best for - improver (7/10), Beginner (9/10), Intermediate (9/10), waves (9/10)
Boa Vista, which is Portuguese for Good View is home to some of the most stunningly beautiful beaches on the Cape Verde archipelago, covering a staggering 55km. Most of the accommodations are generously spread out of the West Coast beach spreading out from the town of Sal Rai over a 10km stretch. It is very important when booking a holiday in Boa Vista to get the right hotel close to the right windsurf location. This is where we come in as if you book with Planet we will ensure you get the best location. We also have exclusive access to the most professional and best located windsurf school on the island.
The Island of Boa Vista has amazing variety of water conditions from buttery flat spot (perfect for beginner and improvers) to amazing clean waves in other areas a perfect introduction to wave riding. Planet have exclusively partnered with 2 excellent Windsurf centres in Boa Vista offering instruction and rental services depending on your level and chosen accommodation.
Nightlife here is very low key and quiet with just a scattering of local restaurants and beach bars playing live music; a perfect place to chill out after a hard day on the water!
