This was my first holiday to Africa and Cape de Verde Islands. The waves in Cape de Verde islands and Sal are absolutely legendary and Cape de Verde Islands are known for windy weather and good waves all year around. The conditions for all kinds of water sports are perfect! There are a lot of organizers available offering windsurfing, kite surfing, paragliding, bodyboard, diving and snorkeling, specially in Santa Maria, Sal.

Cape de Verde is a real paradise in the west of Africa due to the endless beaches, windy weather, high waves and warm climate all year around. The best spot for professional surfing is Ponta Preta at walking distance about 1,5 km northwest of Santa Maria. Here you will find the best waves of Sal and Cape de Verde Islands. Professional surfers and wind surfers are always riding the waves at this spot. The waves can be about 2-6 meters high, so this rocky coastline is not for beginners, ONLY professionals. Just follow the sand dunes up west from Santa Maria and you can’t miss Ponta Preta. Even to a regular holiday tourist, it is fun just to watch all the surfers acrobatically riding the monstrous waves. Bring something to eat and enjoy your Cape de Verde holiday on Sal!

Cape de Verde islands and Sal is also a great holiday resort for paragliding, kite surfing, body board, snorkeling and diving. As long as you love the sea, the sun, the wind and the high waves, a holiday to Cape Verde islands and Sal is great! The sea in Cape de Verde islands is turquoise and the beaches on Sal are absolutely fabulous! If you are in to kite surfing or paragliding, Costa de Fragata is the beach for you. Here is Sal’s best kite surfing beach filled with kite surfers every day all day. Just watch out for underwater currents. Get here by quad or car. It is about 2 km north east of Santa Maria, Sal. You can also walk here just to watch. It is about 1,5 hour walk from Santa Maria. Just follow the east coast (a sandy coastline and also nesting beaches for the big turtles)

Don’t worrie if you are a total beginner at wind surfing, kite surfing or water sports. There are several different beaches in Cape de Verde islands and Sal suiting all needs. In the island of Sal, in town Santa Maria it is not hard to find surfing / wind surfing schools and different organizers, mostly in the east part of the main beach. This is the wind surfing head quarters of Cape de Verde Islands. Just follow the Santa Maria beach all the way to the east and you can’t miss it. Rent equipment, get all the help you need and start the holiday fun! Great even for the children!

Along the beach in Santa Maria and Sal, there are several small tourist businesses offering other holiday activities such as fishing, diving, snorkeling and more… Cape de Verde islands are considered an “exotic” holiday destination and not as exploited yet. But cheap charter holiday tickets can be found at last minute. There are several cheap hotels around Santa Maria, and the food is also fairly cheap eating at local restaurants away from the tourist center. The paste in Cape de Verde and Sal is relaxed and friendly. This is Africa at it’s best! Cape de Verde islands is the perfect holiday destination for surfers of all kind! Loved my wind surfing holiday in Cape de Verde Islands! Ya man!

// Alvald, Norway