Cape Verde

 Cape Verde Sailing - Tropical Islands

Cape Verde Voyage Schedules - Book Early for Christmas

Island hopping on a schooner

Ocean going schooner Oosterschelde has now been going to Cape Verde Islands for some hot winter sun and great trade wind sailing  for several years. The ship employs a local guide who travels on board and helps guest crew make the most of exploring each individual island.  This is a perfect alternative to the Caribbean with no jet lag and a local population with their own unique culture but only just starting to embrace tourism.

Circum-navigate Cape Verde on a Schooner

Cape Verde to South Africa & Mauritius

Three Masted Lugger Grayhound to Visit Cape Verde

The newly built wooden lugger Grayhound will be following an Atlantic Circuit which includes Madeira, Canaries and Cape Verde in the winter of 2013-2014. This replica of a Cornish Privateer with the same name built in 1772, will be launched on 4th August 2012.

Sensational Blue Water Sailing Conditions

Wahoo, Flying Fish & breeding Turtles

Unspoilt Alternative to the Caribbean

Download PDF -Debbie's photo diary of her Christmas 2011 Cape Verde Voyage

Download PDF Cape Verde - Typical Voyage Notes & Itinerary 

Local Guide on Board

A major asset to the voyage is a local Cape Verde guide.

In 2011 the ship was joined by Ario who enjoyed pulling ropes with the guests as well as enthusiastically telling us about island life. At every anchorage he had put together either a great full day jeep safari or several independent options. He found us wild rock pools to swim in, opportunities to eat a typical meal in a Cape Verdean home, staggeringly beautiful mountain walks from crater rim to terraced fields of coffee and bananas...coastal drives through villages un touched by tourism and live music venues.

'Hands on' sailing & plenty of time to relax

You do not need any sailing experience to join Oosterschelde for a sailing expedition in Cape Verde as the ships crew will teach you how to set sails, climb aloft if you want or steer the ship.  The working language is English and the ship has many fans from different countries. It is ideal for individuals abut equally the cabins are either 4 or 2 person, so families or couples can have a cabin to themselves. There are good trade winds and plenty of open ocean between islands so there is no much tacking ro gybing to do once the ship is going fast, so lap up the sun, read a book, climb out on the bowsprit or wander below and see what the chef is cooking.

10 Day Sailing Expeditions - Typical Itinerary

All itineraries are subject to weather, swell, and the usual unusual factors that create change !

Sal to Santiago & perhaps Fogo

The first sail usually starts with100 miles downwind with a day and night passage to Tarafal on Santiago to find your sea legs. Sal has amazing white beaches and turquiose seas and the cross shore winds on the beach at Santa Maria is becoming a mecca for kite surfers. Santiago in the leeward islands is a total contrast with high mountains and cobbled mountain roads and Oosterschelde's crew were the only tourists we saw ashore. A full day exploring the interior by jeep and mountain walking on foot can be arranged (jeep excursion costs were very cheap and split amongst the guest crew - approx £8-10 a head)

Read more about Santiago  - with photos >>

Sao Vincente & Sao Antao

Sailing close hauled and 130 miles to make North westwards to Ilha da Sao Vincente gives plenty of sailing action for those who want to set lots of huge sails. For others the simple pleasure of reading a book in hot sun on deck, with a cooling breeze and the odd dollop of sea spray is enough activity. Steering the ship with Oosterschelde's huge ships wheel and watching the ship rising and crashing though the ocean swell with 'a bone in her teeth.' 

Mindelo is the largest harbour of the Cape Verde, and the town has restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops. Some of the anchorages have strong currents and swell but Mindelo has a good beach for swimming. Live Cape Verdean traditional music at Club Nautico is worth an evening dinghy ride.

Accross a 7 mile strait is Santo Antao. The greenest and maybe the most beautiful island of the archipelago. A perfect island to explore on foot with volcanic craters swirling in trade wind clouds, zig zagging paths between villages and terraced fields, often with spectacular views revealed.

Read more about Sao Vincente & Sao Antao & more photos >>

Sao Nicolau & Boa Vista

Sail past the uninhabited island of Santa Luzia, and if swell permits the ship may anchor and run a trip ashore. The waters around the island are rich in fish so it may be worth staying on board with a fishing line. Swimming is not recommended due to the large number of sharks, but watching these menacing beauties is a novel treat for wildlife lovers.

Sao Nicolau is our guide Ario's home island and a jeep safari accross the mountains to the wild windward coastline is spectacular. Swim in the wildest natural infinity pool ever - if you dare - with waves crashing against the vertical cliffs below.

The last island is usually Boa Vista and back to an up and coming watersports destination- with its massive desert dunes, date palms, camels and white, white beaches. A great place to hire a windsurfer if you are into wave sailing or blasts. A short hop brings the ship back to Sal.

Read more about Sao Nicolau and unihabited shark islands >>

Read more about Boa Vista & Sal - the watersports islands >>

Direct Flights from the UK

Thomson fly cheap weekly charter flights from London Gatwick or Manchester direct to Sal, but you may need to find holiday accommodation in Santa Maria for a few days either side of your voyage (plenty of cheap B&B or hotels you can book on the internet). Alternatively TAP airline flys scheduled flights to Sal daily.  A Cape Verde visa for UK citizens can be bought on arrival but check current regulations.

tricky landing on Santiago (with good surf on the beach for Boxing Day beach parties).

Call us on 01872 580022 or drop us an e mail on skippers@classic-sailing.co.uk if you are particularly interested in the 2012-2013 Cape Verde Voyages