THE LURE
Two hours south of the Canary Islands and about 500 kilometres west of Senegal lie ten idyllic islands in the Atlantic that make up the Cape Verde. Sal offers kitesurfing conditions for beginners, advanced and expert riders with average winds of force four to five every day. Boa Vista island is a much more remote and undeveloped experience with some incredible conditions and a few nice hotels to look after you.
THE SET-UP
SAL – There’s something for everyone. Side-onshore wind and small wind waves on the windward, east side of the island (Kite Beach – where Kiteboarding Club are based). Lessons also run in Santa Maria on the south coast with flat water for freestylers. In the southwestern corner of the bay there is a wave spot for experienced riders with offshore wind. There are world-class wave spots on Sal - Ponta Preta in particular has very fast waves and can get huge. Very advanced; speak to local schools and get the lowdown on plenty of other excellent wave spots.
BOA VISTA –Boa Vista has flat water and waves. Hire a 4x4 for all sorts of remote spots, but be prepared to get lost and there is no rescue cover... because there’s no one else there! There are a few spots close to the main hotel and in front of the centre, including a freestyle area. Check with Sportif for all on Boa Vista.
WIND, WEATHER & WATER
Main season: October - May. North, northeast and easterly trades blow all year; strongest in winter, averaging 20 knots compared to 15 in summer. Winter is wave season but there’s nearly always some swell. Flatter water and lighter winds in summer from May - August, but the temperature can push past 30oC / 86oF. Water temps: 20 – 24°C / 68 – 75oF. On strong wind days you might need a shorty December – February.
SHOPS & SCHOOLS
ION-CLUB is on Santa Maria beach. As well as rentals and lessons for windsurfing, kitesurfing, surfing and SUP, there are showers, WCs and the Atlantis restaurant with a nice bar nearby.Languages spoken by instructors: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Creole, Turkish
www.ion-club.net
travel@ion-club.net
THE KITEBOARDING CLUB SAL is based on Kite Beach on the east coast and they offer a quick, free shuttle service from Santa Maria for students and guests. Teaching all levels, they have over 70 kites, boards and special wave kiting gear for rental. They also offer ‘supervised kitesurfing’ to help you gain confidence.
www.kiteboarding-club.com
sal@kiteboarding-club.com
TRAVEL AGENTS
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres. Contact a Sportif Travel specialist consultant to put together a package that's just right for you.
www.sportif.travel
info@sportif.travel
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com
info@planettravelholidays.com
ION CLUB with 21 Wind - and Kitesurfing centres at 12 destinations, ION CLUB are one of the leading companies in this industry. Also offering Surfing, Stand Up Paddling and Biking. Sustainability is one of ION CLUB's core values as they believe that we have a real responsibility for the natural environment - the place where we practice our amazing sports - and for the local societies in which we are allowed to operate and play.
www.ion-club.net
travel@ion-club.net
KITEBOARDING CLUB
www.kiteboarding-club.com
ACCOMMODATION
SAL – Santa Maria is small but has a good choice of hotels and accommodation. There are also several all-inclusive hotels that can be crowded with non-kiting holidaymakers, but may have good deals.
BOA VISTA – Everything is near Sal Rei town centre, with a few guest houses and a few bigger resorts just outside, great for families. The rest of the island is mainly off road tracks and small, basic villages.
TRAVEL AGENTS
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres. Contact a Sportif Travel specialist consultant to put together a package that's just right for you.
www.sportif.travel
info@sportif.travel
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com
info@planettravelholidays.com
ION CLUB with 21 Wind - and Kitesurfing centres at 12 destinations, ION CLUB are one of the leading companies in this industry. Also offering Surfing, Stand Up Paddling and Biking. Sustainability is one of ION CLUB's core values as they believe that we have a real responsibility for the natural environment - the place where we practice our amazing sports - and for the local societies in which we are allowed to operate and play.
www.ion-club.net
travel@ion-club.net
NO WIND
Surfing or SUPing at many spots. Diving is also popular. Take excursions around the island to the famous dormant volcano and grotto on Sal.
GET AROUND
SAL – Santa Maria is one of the only towns on the island and the main place for tourists. Lots of cheap taxis or ‘aluguers’ - pick-up trucks with a bench in the back that transport kiters around.
BOA VISTA – The vast majority of the island is a sandy desert landscape, perfect for exploring in a 4x4.
CURRENCY
Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE): £1 = 149CVE / €1 = 110CVE / $1 = 97CVE Shops in Sal also accept Euros, but be prepared to pay a premium of about 10 % compared to paying in the local currency.
FOOD & DRINK
SAL – Supermarkets have all you need with prices comparable to UK / Europe and you’ll find lots of restaurants. A handful of bars and nightclubs are open late as the locals love to dance and party.
BOA VISTA – The big hotels are all-inclusive. Otherwise Sal Rei has plenty of friendly restaurants and bars. Local lobster is a speciality. Little street lighting in the evening though.
AIRPORT
Sal / Cape Verde (SID) is serviced from all over Europe. Airport transfers take 15 minutes; book through your travel agent, otherwise there are plenty of taxis. Boa Vista (BVB) has direct flights on a weekly basis from Europe and the transfer to Sal Rei is just five minutes.
TRAVEL AGENTS
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com
info@planettravelholidays.com
ION CLUB with 21 Wind - and Kitesurfing centres at 12 destinations, ION CLUB are one of the leading companies in this industry. Also offering Surfing, Stand Up Paddling and Biking. Sustainability is one of ION CLUB's core values as they believe that we have a real responsibility for the natural environment - the place where we practice our amazing sports - and for the local societies in which we are allowed to operate and play.
www.ion-club.net
travel@ion-club.net
