Kitesurfing Holidays In Cape Verde
Cape Verde consists of 10 Islands just off the coast of West Africa. Each island offers its own unique blend of culture, topography and attractions from the Volcano on Fargo to the stunning beaches of Boa Vista. Cape Verde is an excellent destination for a kitesurfing holiday during the winter months as it is a hot destination with reliable winds just a short haul flight from the UK. This makes it our number one recommendation for all levels of kitesurfer between November to April. Whether it's a family kitesurf holiday or travelling as a group we can organise tailor made packages to suit your needs. Also, Cape Verde has a lot to offer non-kitesurf partners or friends.
The main Islands to visit in Cape Verde are:
Sal - this holiday destination is excellent for all levels of kitesurfers, windsurfers and divers. The beach of Santa Maria has a good variety of small hotels including one of our favourites, the Morabeza Hotel. Santa Maria 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 to the 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 an excellent range of 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 all-inclusive beach 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.
Fogo - The crater on Fogo is one of the highlights of Cape Verde and has created what is a very fertile land; coffee is grown on the outside slopes whilst the vines used to produce the famous Fogo wine are grown inside the crater. We highly recommend you try both. The scenery on Fogo is impressive: dark rocks and black sands give an impression of a lunar landscape. São Filipe, the capital of Fogo is a pretty town full of Portuguese squares, cobbled streets and sobrados, pastel houses decorated with quality woods and tiles from Portugal. The views from the promenade are of the island of Brava and a severe drop down to the black sands below. Visitors to Fogo tend to embark on a hike up the volcano with a rewarding lunch at the top in a restaurant offering magnificent views.
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
Best for - Intermediate (9/10), Intermediate (9/10), waves (9/10), Advance (8/10)
The island of Sal, in the Cape Verde islands which is located just off the coast of north-west Africa, is one of the most reliable kitesurf holiday destinations for the UK winter season (November to April) and is only a quick five hour flight.
The accommodation on Sal is of a moderate standard. However, there is a superb 4 star hotel called the Morabeza Hotel, with its perfect beach front location and the kitesurf school just next door makes it the ideal place to stay.
The kitesurfing on Sal caters to all skill levels, whether you are a beginner or an established wave rider. However, the conditions in Sal are best suited to intermediate and advanced kiters.
Best for - Beginner (9/10), Intermediate (9/10), Intermediate (9/10), waves (9/10)
The Island of Boa Vista, Portuguese for Good View, has the most stunningly beautiful beaches on the Cape Verde archipelago, covering a staggering 55km. Most of the accommodations are generously spread out along the West Coast of the island reaching out from the town of Sal Rae over a 10km stretch.
Planet kitesurf only works with the best hotels on Boa Vista from small locally run charming apartments to large beach front all inclusive resorts. Our recommendation, unless you have specific requirements for 4* all inclusive hotels, is to stay in one of the smaller hotels which are a short stroll into town and also to the kitesurf centre.
The water conditions here offer the only flat water spot on the island due to the cross off-shore wind direction as well as easy access to waves if you need.
It is very important when booking a holiday to Boa Vista to get the right location for your level to avoid a bad experience. Planet have are experts in travel to the Cape Verde Islands so we will do our best to make sure our clients get the best hotel for the budget and kitesurf needs.
The Island of Boa Vista has amazing variety of water conditions from perfect waves to butter flat water. We offer a private guide service which is the best way to kitesurf Boa Vista. You will be taken each day in a 4x4 to the best spot on the island for the wind direction, waves or what every you prefer. You will even have a lunch barbeque prepared for you on the beach. Call for more details on this.
