Description: Second most important island of the archipelago is a strategic point for the long voyages to South America. 24 km long and wide 16 is one the most dried islands of Cabo Verde. Its capital Mindelo is very animated and fun at any time of day. The city is a concentration of shops, bars, disco club and restaurants and requires at least one week in order to visit it. The island is what remains of a volcano eroded by time, of which you can glimpse the large crater in the bay of Porto Grande. The great fortune of the island began in 1838 when the first deposit of coal entered into service for the great merchant who used to travel from Europe to Brazil and vice versa. In 1874 the island had a telegraph to maintain contacts with Europe and Brazil and thanks to its location and the bottom of the harbor deep São Vicente became the center of "sorting" for all the other islands, thus creating an island based on trade. Then in the evening the city is full of music and festivities and make this a wonderful place ....... As Manuel de Novas, known Cape writer, said who does not know Mindelo does not know Cabo Verde...
Directions: Daily flights connect Sao Vicente with the international airports of Praia and Sal. The airport of Sao Pedro is only 15 minutes by taxi from Mindelo. The connection is also secured by sea ferry weekly hours are not always reliable, exposed to the maritime station. De Sao Tiago is neccessarie about 16 hours, 10 hours from Sal, Sao Nicolau da 5th For information agency Somatrans, Rua Sao Joao 324067 Tel 2.
What to see: São Pedro, a small fishing village with a beautiful white beach is the perfect place to surf, kite surf and wind-surf. Baia Das Gatas, famous for the musical gathering in August, is a beautiful outdoor pool. A small village that does not offer much. Monte Verde is the greenest part of the island, 740 Mt high from sea level offers an exciting panorama of the island.
Useful informations:
The journey by taxi to the coast city of ECV 800 days and 1,200 ECV night, normally there's no need to "fight" to get the right fare but you never know..
Avoid to stop for any people asking information if you are far away from the city center in general use normal common sense to be safe. The island is pretty safe I have been many times and I never had any problems.
Surf spots
Laginha: It's the only beach located near the center and it works in very rare occasion and because of its eacy access to all the local surfers it will be very crowded especially in the weekends.
Praia Grande: Located in the omonymous beach you can reach heading to Calhau, it's a sandy/rocky spot where the water is so transparent that you may think you surfing on a glass.
Praia Grande: Close to Praia Grande is situated in front of the rocky point at the right edge of Praia Grande.
Sandy Beach: This is the most famous spot in the island you must see it...when it breaks it's an hell of a wave, tube riding and breathtaking this wave is a must. Hard to access, you need a 4X4 to get there, take the route to Calhau and you will notice a road signal on the right then follow the track and you will arrive.
Tupim: Same route of Sandy Beach at some point you will need to turn right and head toward a little abbandoned house or you can get there by Sandy Beach by walking right for about 15 mins. Another heavy good wave.
Sao Vicente
