Photo: Alexander Akinyeye ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Thirty-knot trade winds and volcanoes.
Cabo Verde is ten volcanic islands 300 miles off Senegal, the last landfall before the Atlantic. An accelerated trade wind runs between them and the channels carry real ocean swell: it is the training ground for long passages. We sail east to west, downwind: Sal, Boa Vista, an overnight passage to São Nicolau, uninhabited Santa Luzia, Mindelo and the mountains of Santo Antão.
- A 70-mile overnight passage under Atlantic stars
- Uninhabited Santa Luzia and its empty beaches
- Mindelo, the islands’ music capital and an ARC marina
- The crossing to Santo Antão and the Paúl valley
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Handover
Sal and boat handover
Fly into Sal and drive to the fishing port of Palmeira. Boat handover, provisioning and a briefing on safety and night watches.
Overnight: Yacht, Palmeira - DAY 2 · 35 nautical miles
Boa Vista
The first 35 miles south on a broad reach with swell. Anchor off Sal Rei behind the islet, then a walk through the town and grilled fish.
Overnight: Yacht, Sal Rei - DAY 3 · Shore day
The dunes and turtles of Boa Vista
A day ashore: the Viana desert dunes, the 18 km Santa Monica beach and the shore where loggerhead turtles nest in summer. Preparation for the overnight leg.
Overnight: Yacht, Sal Rei - DAY 4 · 70 nautical miles
Overnight to São Nicolau
Depart after lunch for 70 miles north-west through a channel of accelerated trade wind. Three-hour watches and dawn under the high mountains of São Nicolau.
Overnight: Yacht, night passage - DAY 5 · Rest and a short hike
Tarrafal and Monte Gordo
Into Tarrafal in the morning to rest. After lunch, a drive to Monte Gordo national park (1,312 m) and a walk among the dragon trees.
Overnight: Yacht, Tarrafal - DAY 6 · 30 nautical miles
Santa Luzia
Thirty miles west to the uninhabited nature-reserve island. Anchor off Praia Francisca, snorkel and see no one at all.
Overnight: Yacht, Santa Luzia - DAY 7 · 20 nautical miles
Mindelo
Twenty miles to São Vicente across a channel where the wind funnels to 30 knots. Berth at Mindelo marina and hear live morna in the bars by the harbour.
Overnight: Yacht, Mindelo marina - DAY 8 · 16 nautical miles
Santo Antão and back
A morning 8 miles across the strait to Porto Novo, then a jeep into the Paúl valley with its sugar-cane terraces and the Cova crater. Back to Mindelo in the evening.
Overnight: Yacht, Mindelo marina - DAY 9 · Transfer
Departure
Breakfast, boat return and transfer to São Pedro airport.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Double cabin on a 45–50 ft ocean yacht
A professional skipper
All meals on board on passage days
Transfers Sal airport — Palmeira and Mindelo — São Pedro airport
Harnesses and lifejackets
One-way charter relocation fee
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Kitty for fuel, water, dinners ashore and Mindelo marina berthing
Port fees and clearance on each island
Flight São Vicente — Sal if departing from Sal
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
For those who have sailed before and want ocean experience: 20–30 knots, 2–3 metre seas and one night watch. Ivan prepares the group for watches, reefing and life heeled over on a monohull.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- A soft bag rather than a hard suitcase
- Shoes with clean, non-slip soles
- Sun and wind protection, and a light rain layer
- Personal essentials suited to your experience at sea
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.