Yachtcharter Cape Verde

The former Portuguese colony of Cape Verde is now an independent island nation. The 15 islands of the country have a very different character, from desert and dune landscapes über mountain and volcanic regions to flowery backdrops. If you are looking for peace and relaxation away from mass tourism, long sandy beaches, beautiful hiking trails or water sports areas, the Cape Verde Islands are the right place for you. Mild temperatures and steady winds abound here year-round – perfect for taking a break from winter. Depending on whether you start from Mindelo or Palmeira, you'll sail in scenically very different parts of the islands.

Climate: oceanic with temperatures between 20 and 27 degrees
. Winds: northeast trade
Sailing season: all year

Yacht charter Cape Verde

Cape Verde has been an independent country since the 1970s and is spread over 15 islands in the Atlantic Ocean at the level of Senegal. Upon arrival German citizens need a passport which is valid for at least 6 months. In addition, travelers must register online before departure. Further and current information can be found here on the website of the German Foreign Office. The country has its own currency, the Cape Verde Escudo (CVE), but Euros are also accepted, but here small units rather than larger bills. The official language is Portuguese, but residents also learn English and French at school. The flight time from Germany is about 7 hours, mostly with a change in Portugal. 1500 km northeast of Cape Verde are the Canary Islands.

From winter to summer in only 7 hours - with a yacht charter Cape Verde

To the northern Ilhas de Barlavento belong 9 islands, of which Sal is the main island. Here is also our base Palmeira. The island is characterized by lava beaches and rocks as well as long sandy beaches in the south. Worth seeing on the island are for example the salt pans of Pedra de Lume, where you can learn how salt was mined in former times. Today you can bathe here in high concentrations of salt like in the Dead Sea. Pedra de Lume is also a special setting, because the salt works are located in a volcanic crater. Sal is also a very popular surf spot because of its steady winds as is the neighboring island of Boa Vista. Both are much more sparse in vegetation than their western neighbors. Boa Vista also has long sandy beaches and dune landscapes, sun-seekers can get light here almost every day of the year. Divers will find good spots off the coast. The islands are perfect for surfing, diving, sunbathing and swimming.

If you are on the islands at the time of carnival, you should not miss the spectacle. Cape Verdeans like to celebrate with good food, music and dancing. The country's second largest city, Mindelo, on São Vicente is the cultural and economic center of the islands.
Due to the dry climate, the vegetation on the islands is mostly sparse and animals are mainly seabirds and reptiles. However, the Cape Verde Islands have a diverse underwater world of coral reefs and fish species, which is why they attract divers in particular. Humpback whales pass by the islands in the spring, and manta rays and whale sharks stay here in late summer and autumn. Sea turtles, the emblem of the islands, hatch on the beaches of the islands and are under strict protection.
In addition to diving and surfing, the islands' mild temperatures make them ideal for hiking. On Santo Antão there are routes through tropical valleys, the island is quite mountainous and on the coasts there are good spots for divers. The mountainous regions on São Nicolau are also good for hiking for nature lovers. Also special on the island are the black sand beaches, which are also considered medicinal due to the trace elements they contain.

On the Ilhas de Solavento in the southwest is the capital of Cape Verde, Praia. It is located on the largest island, Santiago, where half of Cape Verde's inhabitants live. It is a lively place, with shopping and nightlife options, including markets with local products. The old capital of the island, Cidade Velha, is where the settlement of the archipelago began. In the restored town, which is now part of the World Heritage Site, you can learn about its tragic history, part of which was the centuries-long slave trade. Tarrafal, in the northwest, is a popular destination because it has the only palm beach on the islands. The Serra Malagueta Nature Park and the Pico Antonia mountain range are good for hiking.
Fogo is still a volcanic landscape, but also very green compared to the other islands due to its humid climate. For those who like hiking, the largest volcano of the islands, which is still active, is a good destination. In the capital São Felipe, the old town houses are still preserved and lovingly restored. The island was once a place of exile for noblemen or political prisoners from the Portuguese mainland. Two museums provide information about the history of the town and the island.
The neighboring island of Brava also has a more humid climate than the other islands. It is also called "the island of flowers". In addition to crops, plants introduced by the Portuguese, such as oleander and hibiscus, grow here. The island is still quite untouched by tourism.
This is also the case with the island of Maio. With its long sandy beaches, it is well suited for swimming. The landscape is more like the islands of Sal and Boa Vista. In the past also used for salt mining, in the north are still the salt pans.

The culture of the islands is due to the colonial times a mix of Portuguese and African as well as, depending on the island, English and French influences. In addition to Portuguese as the official language, as spoken on the streets a creole. As in the island's own music, which can often be experienced as live music in the larger towns. The islanders are musical. The cuisine is characterized by the sea, fishermen sell fresh catch daily in the larger towns. Depending on the rainfall on the islands, the food also varies. On the dry Sal, the food consists of fish or meat and root vegetables, like the traditional stew Cachupa made of corn, beans, cassava or sweet potatoes, carrots, spices, fish or meat. Water is a rare commodity in the dry climate of the islands and it should be used sparingly.

Yacht charter Cape Verde - set sail with 1aYachtcharter!