Island of Sao Vicente
The island of Sao Vicente was discovered on 22 January 1492 - St Vincent’s day. It is the cultural heart of the Cape Verde Islands - the birthplace of musicians, artists, poets and craftsfolk.
Cesaria Evora, the world famous singer of “morna” - the haunting melodic songs typical across Cape Verde, was born here.
The island is 10 miles at it’s longest and 15 miles at its widest points and home to about 70,000 inhabitants most of whom live in and around the main town of Mindelo.
It was to this town, with it’s large deep harbour, that the big ships came to re-fuel on their voyages across the Atlantic in the 19th century, but as oil became the fuel of choice and it became possible for ships to make longer voyages without stopping Mindelo’s importance faded.
Sao Vicente is famous for it’s music, and it’s international music festival on the beach in August and it’s Carnival in February starting around the weekend before Ash Wednesday are not to be missed.
To get the best view of Mindelo journey down to the Santo Antao ferry port in the harbour. From here you will see the great sweep of the harbour and how the town lies in the shadow of Monte Verde, at approx 2,500 feet the highest point on the island.
Fortim d’El Rei was an old fort and former prison and gives you another good view of the town - and of the island of Santa Antao in the distance.
Sao Pedro
If you’re keen on windsurfing then a trip to Sao Pedro Bay, about 6 miles from Mindelo is well worth a visit, but the waves and strong currents make it generally unsuitable for swimmers.
Baia das Gatas (Catfish Bay)
Baia das Gatas is a much more suitable place for swimming and sunbathing. It is on this beach that the annual music festival takes place around the full moon in August. Grand plans are afoot - including the possibility of an Ernie Els designed golf course. Further development of holiday homes, apartments and hotels is likely.
Direct flights from the UK are not possible so most visitors will transfer via internal flights from Sal or Boavista.