SAL WINDSURFING HOLIDAYS

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.

great trip, well organised - many thanks for all of your advice and help

The main area for windsurfing is Santa Maria, at the southern end of Sal. The bay at Santa Maria has a 4 kilometre stretch of beautiful white sandy beaches. This is the best area for both beginners and intermediate windsurfers. For more experienced windsurfers and enthusiastic wave novices, Ponta Leme is perfect. Here you will find clean, unbreaking waves up to 2 metres. The most famous wave spot on Sal is at Ponta Preta; with an extraordinary 3 to 6 metre wave peeling just 50 metres from the shoreline. This is only for advanced windsurfers as there is cross off-shore wind (perfect wave sailing direction) with no safety cover.

Sal's position within the winter trade-wind belt supplies 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 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, SUP, boat trips to Boa Vista, surfing, quadbiking and full island tours.

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