Updated September 2026.
Sao Vicente at a glance. A dry, windy, music-loving island in the northern Cape Verde archipelago, off West Africa. Come for world-class, uncrowded kitesurfing at Salamansa, the colourful port town of Mindelo, and the spectacular hiking island of Santo Antao a short ferry away. Wind blows hardest November to May. Currency is the Cape Verdean escudo (CVE), and it is cheap if you go local. Fly in via Sal or Praia, or sail in like the crossing boats do.
A long stretched empty white beach, a stunning mountain backdrop view, a steady 20 knots wind 80% of the year, friendly Cape Verde beach boys and girls, good local food, and sunshine all year round! That’s Salamansa Beach in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde. What a kitesurfing spot!
It’s one of a kind, and I’m not sure about writing about it. I do so, with permission from the locals, who would love to meet more kitesurfers and adventure seekers from abroad. Not many of them as fortunate to travel the world, so let the world come to them.
Sala who?
Salamansa is located on the northern side of Sao Vicente, which is one of the northern Cape Verdian Islands. The limit of kitesurfers is 18 so it’ll never become an overcrowded Tarifa. In the busiest session, I’ve counted a total of 3 kitesurfers on the water. No line tangling is guaranteed! This little town has a kitesurf club called KitesurfNOW.
Marc & Ola set up this cool school, run by the super friendly locals from Salamansa town. Here you can chill, eat the local Cachupa or Dutch Frikandellen, have a delicious coffee, and meet other kitesurf buddies. Every single escudo spend on this beach is pumped back into the local community.
The school is also a nice chill-out spot for non-kiters. They have many other toys, such as bodyboards, Jeux de boule, beach balls, surf, and mountain bikes, for rent. Cool vibes. Beyond Salamansa, Sao Vicente has a few more kite spots (both flatwater and waves), like Calhau.
The kitesurf situation in Salamansa, Sao Vicente
The kitesurfing season in Sao Vicente Cabo Verde is best between October and May. Sao Vincente is blessed with the constant North-East trade winds, making it a prime location for kiteboarding. 80% of the time wind comes from that direction. Salamansa beach is on the northern side of Sao Vicente.
It has cross onshore wind and waves. The beach is huge. Plenty of space. Nearby there is a flat water spot for beginners. The water temperature is 25 degrees. I went in my 3 mm wetsuit which was completely unnecessary. This is a board short place! KitesurfNOW offers courses and kite gear rental and on their website you can find most up to date wind information.
There’s also a windsurf spot close the airport: Sao Pedro. It’s officially prohibited to kitesurf here because of the airplanes. Since there’s very few airplanes per day, the local school allows kitesurfing here too and also have a rescue boat in case you need help.
Beyond the kite: Mindelo, music and Santo Antao
Salamansa is the reason I came, but Sao Vicente has more than wind. Mindelo, the island's colourful port town, is the cultural heart of Cape Verde: this is the home of morna, the soulful music Cesaria Evora carried around the world, and on most nights you'll hear it spilling out of the bars. Climb Monte Verde for the view over the whole island. And don't miss the short, spectacular ferry to Santo Antao next door, one of the great hiking islands of the Atlantic, knife-edge ridges and green valleys dropping straight into the sea.
Sao Vicente is also a classic Atlantic-crossing stop. Mindelo's marina is where a lot of boats provision and pause on the milk run from the Canaries to the Caribbean, I sailed in this way myself. If you fancy crossing an ocean rather than flying it, my guide to finding a sailboat ride as crew and the Ocean Nomads community are where those plans start.
Where to stay in Sao Vicente?
There are some really cool local style accommodation options, Bed and Breakfasts, villas with swimming pools, and houses with views available around the island of Sao Vicente. Kitesurfnow has investigated every single accommodation on the island and can accommodate you or your group.
There is no hotel or hostel in Salamansa but there are some homestay or housing possibilities as the local guys explained. I have mainly explored Mindelo which is a vibrant town and a nice base for kitesurfing and island explorations. It’s actually THE cultural capital of Cape Verde. There is beautiful Cape Verdian live music all around, good food, and a nice island vibe.
Friendly locals, adventure seekers, stranded sailors and off the beaten path travellers. Everyone is on island time here. Fiesta and celebrations are part of the daily routine. I recommend staying in Mindelo and explore from there.
A few recommendations of accommodation in Mindelo:
Budget accommodation in Mindelo: Casa Cafe Mindelo
Midrange accommodation in Mindelo: Kira’s Boutique hotel
High end accommodation in Mindelo: Villa St. Aubyn Check for rental houses by tripadvisor
How to get there?
How to get to Sao Vicente?
Plane
Soa Vicente has an international airport with direct flights from numerous European destinations. Check flights.
Boat
I sailed into Sao Vicente from the Canary Islands (twice actually). The island is a popular stop for sailors who are planning an Atlantic Ocean crossing. Sao Vicente is also well connected by the Armas ferry to other islands. So if you have time, why not combine? Or hitchsail :)
Wind
If you’re already on island time, you can also sail in from Europe. Between October and February, there are many sailing boats going from Morocco and the Canary Islands. Mindelo is the main port of call for Cabo Verde. It takes around 6 days. It’s what I did and I will do it again.
How to get to Salamansa beach?
From Mindelo you can take a haiku (bus) (100 escudos), Aulguer (shared truck ride) or taxi (900 escudos/9 euro’s). Salamansa is about a 15-minute ride from Mindelo.
Other useful info about Sao Vicente:
- The island next to Sao Vicente, Santo Antão, is a short ferry ride away and super stunning. It’s a natural paradise for hiking, biking, and canyoning, much like the diverse terrain in Cape Verdean islands. You can rent bikes in Mindelo and take them on the ferry.
- Besides the daily happenings on the streets, the big party is with Carnaval (February) and the Baia da Gatas Music Festival in August. Could be cool to time your visit with one of these events!
- The wifi is good.
- If you go local style, it’s very affordable. A local Cachupa (the national dish) is around 200 Escudos (2 euro’s), a beer is 120 escudos (1,20 euro), the local Grogue (rum) is 100 escudos (1 euro).
- Beach bar in Salamansa: open every day from 10-00 to 18.00. There is also a Creperie (pancake house)
- More information: www.kitesurfnow.eu
- Data: an Airalo eSIM works the moment you land if the wifi is not enough.
- Tap water is desalinated. I carry a filter and refuse the plastic bottles.
You won’t find that much info on Sao Vicente Island, but that’s what keeps it a special place. I'm stopping writing here, too, because I only have a little time left to explore. Come and explore the island of Sao Vicente for yourself, and let me know how you liked it!
My take: come for the wind, stay for the music. Salamansa is one of the last uncrowded kite spots on earth, and Mindelo is one of the warmest little towns I've washed up in. Give it more than a kite trip.
💡 What I wish I'd known
That Sao Vicente is properly dry and windy (that's the point, but bring lip balm and a buff). That the ferry to Santo Antao turns a kite trip into a real adventure, so don't skip it. And that a little Kriolu and a lot of smiling goes a long way here.
Cape Verde kitesurfing FAQ
Is Cape Verde good for kitesurfing?
Yes. Sao Vicente's Salamansa beach has a steady trade wind roughly 80% of the year, warm water, a mountain backdrop and, best of all, almost no one on it. It's one of the last uncrowded, uncommercial kite spots anywhere.
When is the best time to kitesurf in Cape Verde?
The windy season runs roughly November to May, with the strongest, most reliable trades in the winter months. It's kiteable much of the year, but that window is the safest bet.
How do you get to Sao Vicente?
Fly into Cape Verde via Sal or Praia and connect to Sao Vicente's Cesaria Evora Airport, or arrive by sailboat: Mindelo is a classic Atlantic-crossing stop. Ferries link Sao Vicente with Santo Antao and other islands.
What is the currency in Cape Verde?
The Cape Verdean escudo (CVE). Euros are sometimes accepted, but you'll want escudos for local food, buses and small places. It's an affordable island if you go local: a plate of cachupa is a couple of euros.
Stay wild,
Suzanne
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Disclaimer: These recommendations of Sao Vicente and Cape Verde kitesurfing are my own, as always. I don’t earn anything from writing this. I sincerely hope that this place will receive a few like-minded adventure seekers to help the local economy. I do earn adventure money from affiliate links on this website. Thank you!
