Cabo Verde, Sao Vicente to San Antao Adventure

By this time in the year the cranking winds that blast the Cape Verdes all season will have finally backed off a bit, which gives us access to San Antao, a rarely visited (especially by yacht) beautiful island at the NW end of the archipelago. There isn't much kiting or surf (at least that we found last time through), but the hiking and scenery and little villages are truly special.

This poor nation off the west coast of Senegal is comprised of 9 inhabited islands. Known for its soulful music, headed by its most famous musician, Cesaria Evora; and its colorful Portuguese culture the Cape Verdes have more recently become popular for kite and surf adventurers seeking more remoteness than the nearby Canaries. Not quite African and not quite European, Cape Verde today is almost Brazilian in feel.

This Adventure starts with some rippable kiting days around Sao Vicente at the countries cultural center and prettiest town, Mindelo, and a possible trip across the channel the tiny and spectacular Santa Luzia, (where many of Jody MacDonald's published photos were taken when we explored this area in 2011) which will still be getting good swell and great wind. Then we head West North west to San Antao if we get a good weather window, where we can expect to find some great adventure and possibly virgin breaks, and very little crowds. "For many people the main reason for visiting Cape Verde is for spectacular San Antao, and it is for good reason. This dizzyingly vertical island, ruptured by canyons, gorges and valleys, offers some of the most amazing hiking in West Africa." -- Lonely Planet.

Winds in Cape Verde blow consistently and strong and swell arrives from the north just as regularly. This Adventure is right is just after the heart of the wind season, which will likely be a good thing- still plenty to ride, but a lot less mad seas to deal with. For those of you looking to explore the fascinating culture of Cabo Verde, eat great food, kite where very very few have before and especially those of you who love hiking (San Antao is a MUST) with some very interesting culture thrown into the mix, this is the trip.

Read about our last trips in the Cape Verdes (and watch the videos below from our last trip here and some wave spectacular from F.One):

Return from the Brink in Cabo Verde

Carnivals and Solitude

Final Sessions and a Few Lessons

Winds in Cape Verde blow consistently and strong and swell arrives from the north just as regularly. For those looking to perfect your wave riding techniques, with some very interesting culture, sailing and adventure thrown into the mix, this is the trip.

RESOURCES: For information on flights, please visit here. For all the TACV offices around the world, please visit here. Domestic flights are often booked up well in advance, so make your bookings early. For information on visas, please visit Visa Help and Lonely Planet

The Dune Discovery- Paragliding where no one has before from Cloudbase Mayhem on Vimeo.

F-One Manera - Cabo verde from Kitenation on Vimeo.