Oosterschelde - Cape Verde - 12 Day Island Exploration
Submitted by adam on Wed, 04/08/2010 - 17:05
| Voyage Number | CV6 |
| Voyage price | €1750 euros for 12 days |
| Voyage Dates | 18/01/2011 - 14:00 - 29/01/2011 - 08:00 |
| Depart from | Cape Verde (Sal) |
| Finishing Port | Cape Verde (Sal) |
| Voyage area | Cape Verde |
| Voyage type | Adventure Voyage , Tall Ships |
| Vessel | Oosterschelde |
| Availability | Available |
| BOOKING FORM >>> |
Voyage Description
Oosterschelde - Cape Verde Islands Exploration
The islands of Cape Verde are situated in the Atlantic Ocean, over 600 kilometres west of Senegal at approximately 16 degrees north. Cape Verde consists of 9 inhabited and a few uninhabited islands.
The People
The Portuguese colonised the islands, which were uninhabited at the time, at the end of the 15th century. The islands were used as a transit port for the slave trade.
It was not until 1975 that Cape Verde became independent and there has been parliamentary democracy for 15 years.
Cape Verde is one of the smallest and poorest countries of Africa. The official language is still Portuguese although most inhabitants speak Crioulo and sometimes English or French.
Cape Verde has around 450 000 inhabitants, a mixture of different African races and some Portuguese, French and Italians.
On this voyage we are able to see the most idyllic spots on these tropical islands but we will also be confronted with the poverty in which many live.
The Climate, Flora and Fauna
The climate is tropical. The sea has an almost constant temperature of 25 degrees and the sometimes strong breeze – the trade wind – comes from the northeast almost the whole year round. It rains incidentally and the sun almost always shines. However there are frequent days when the fine desert sand in the air blocks the sun. All the islands are volcanic and each is unique. One island may be flat with beautiful white beaches while the next may be 3000 metres high with sharp cliffs and lush undergrowth.
The water is filled with flying fish, tuna, wahoo, sea turtles and whales. Steep terrace fields with banana and coffee plantations, black volcanic slopes and a fiercely foaming deep blue sea define the landscape.
The Sailing
Sailing with such a large ship is a very special experience. Conditions at sea are never constant and this can mean a change of plans while underway. The sea between the islands is very suitable for sailing. There is a permanent wind (NE trade wind, force 4 up to 7 Bft) and the Oostershelde is in her element on the long ocean swell. ON board you are not a passenger but guest crew. You will be assigned to the permanent crew to sail, steer and navigate the ship. Sailing experience is not required for this. The crew will be happy to explain the functions of all the ropes, halyards and sheets.
See typical day to day itinerary (top tab) in Cape Verde
See Port Info (top tab) for accommodation on the island of Sal and flight tips
Trade Wind Sailing in the Cape Verde Islands
Ocean going schooner Oosterschelde will be returning to the Cape Verde Islands in 2011/2012 for some hot winter sun and a chance to continue their exploration of the lesser known islands.
The Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) are a tropical island group are well south of the Canaries on about the same latitude as St Lucia in the Caribbean. They lie off the West African coast of Senegal and slap bang in the North East trade wind belt. Hot sun, a constant strong breeze and a mix of islands - some of which are 100 miles apart and others only half a day distant is about perfect for an island hopping expedition on a tall ship like Oosterschelde.
12 Day Sailing Expeditions - Typical Itinerary
This is a typical voyage plan but all itineraries on a sailing vessel are subject to weather, swell, and the usual unusual factors that create change !
DAY 1 - Arrival on Sal - Kite Surfers Paradise
Oosterschelde will be in the port of Palmeira which is easy to reach by taxi from the airport or the main tourist town of Santa Maria, on the island of Sal. You will be assigned a cabin and have time to acclimatize as the ship will not normally leave until the next day.
DAY 2 - Downwind to Santiago & off the tourist track
The first sail usually starts with100 miles downwind with a day and night passage to from the fishing port of Palmeira on Sal to Tarafal on Santiago. This gives people plenty of time to find their sea legs and the adventure has begun.
Sal has amazing white beaches and turquiose seas and the cross shore winds on the beach at Santa Maria is fast becoming a world mecca for kite surfers. However the main tourism island is fairly barren and to see the best of Cape Verde in style you need a beautiful ocean going schhoner to explore the other more remote islands.
Santiago in the leeward islands (Sotoventos) is 100 miles away from Sal and a total contrast with high mountains and cobbled mountain roads.
Over half of Cape Verde's population live on this big island, mostly in Praia yet at Christmas 2010 Oosterschelde's crew were the only tourists we saw ashore.In theory this southern group of islands experience lighter winds. Tarrafal is a village beside a bay on NW side of the island with a crumbling stone quay and an impressive surf beach. You might spend a day ashore independantly walking past mango trees, visiting a banana plantation and an old grog factory where the sugar cane was ground by a cattle powered mill stone.
A full day exploring the interior by jeep and mountain walking on foot can be arranged (jeep excursion costs on each island were very worthwhile and split amongst the guest crew - approx £8-10 a head)
DAY 3 on Santiago
Slaves ran for the hills - We use a jeep
The jeep or minibus safari goes high up into the mountains on impossibly steep cobbled roads. Tree swathed red rock hills and sharp peaks swirling in trade wind cloud mist dominate the scenery. Looking down many villages are tucked in high up the valleys (to avoid raiding pirates, or a result of escaping slaves heading for the hills) amongst mango, papaya trees and crops.From the peaks you can often see the distinctive dome of Fogo. Depending the the strength of the trade winds - the skipper may risk heading further West to Fogo. This makes the wind angle harder to work to windward to explore the windward islands later in the week.
African Influence & Music
Santiago was the first island to be settled by Europeans and thousands of African slaves. They have not forgotten their ancestry and the music tells many tales. Oosterschelde crew enjoyed a local womens singing group with drums and a lot of angry or sad slave songs during a lunch.
DAY 4 Fogo - Active Volcano & Colonial past
If the headwinds for going North are strong, the captain may miss out Fogo as it is further West and gives a difficult angle on the wind to reach Sao Vincente and Sao Antao.
The landscape of Fogo is dominated by the volcano with its summit reaching 2829m (9280ft). Those feeling energetic can go ashore early morning to climb to the two craters. This is still an active volcano and last erupted in 1995 but 40 000 people still live on the island. Alternatively stroll to local coffee and fruit plantations and vineyards. Sao Filipe has a faded grandeur. Its squares and wide avenues are lined with colonial mansions with beautiful courtyards, but the history is darker. In 1582 100 Europeans controlled a workforce of 13 700 slaves who toiled in the coffee and cotton plantations. Many were skilled weavers and their cloth was highly prized in Africa and Brazil.
DAY 5 and 6 at sea - heading for the Ilhas de Barlavento (Windward Isles)
Departing from either Fogo or Santiago, everybody will be back on board in the evening to prepare the ship for its longest crossing to Santo Antao or Sao Vincente which both lie at the NW extreme of the Baroventos group.A close reach or close hauled 140 mile passage where Oosterschelde will set as much fore and aft sails as she can – sailing at least a day and night to reach Santo Antao or Sao Vincente - if conditions permit. Like all windward destinations, the ones you work hardest for are often the best. As in most destinations the ship will anchor and run boats ashore. Probably arriving in the night you will have to wait with anticipation for the sunrise to see your new location.
DAY 7 Sao Vincente & Mindelo Port
Mindelo is the largest harbour of the Cape Verde, and the town has restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops. Some of the anchorages around Sao Vincente have strong currents swell but Mindelo has a good beach for swimming.
A jeep trip to the other side of the island revealled 'tumbleweed' type towns, rocky reefs and the wild windward coastline and fairly sleepy seafood restuarants.
A run ashore in the evening would not be complete without a visit to the Club Nautico. A roofless old stone wharehouse on the waterfront with huge gates and big bench tables - ideal for ships crew. Local Cape Verdean musicans and singers play fairly mellow music to around the world yachtsmen and travellers.
Day 
8 The Big Trek on Sao Antao
A 7 mile strait seperates the two islands and it can get pretty windy crossing the gap between Mindelo Port and Porto Novo on Sao Antao. Santo Antao is the greenest and maybe the most beautiful island of the archipelago. A perfect island to explore on foot but it helped to head to for the dormant volcanic crater by jeep convoy for a full day walk. Not for the faint hearted, you can climb from the fertile 'lost world' of the crater up to the rim - spying farmers and goats on route. The path then takes an impossibly steep decent - no wider than a donkey track, with stone walls and hairpin bends all the way down until the land is flat enough for terracing. It is hard to think of yourseld on an oceanic island. The banana palms, coffee, rice paddy fields and sugar cane patchwork of fields and terracing look like a scene from the Phillipines.
Local Food & Grog
It is a bit of a shock to the legs going downhill for several hours after a few days at sea, but you may be lucky enough to sit down in one of the villages and enjoy a local stew called caputcha in a private Cape Verdean home if your ships guide can arrange it. We also tasted some home made grog, made from the sugar cane which helped our legs recover.
DAY 9 Sail past Shark Islands to Sao Nicolau
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. Any fish caught will be prepared to eat immediately - fresh from the sea. Swimming is not recommended due to the large number of sharks, but watching these menacing beauties is a novel treat for wildlife lovers. Oosterschelde will sail on to Sao Nicolau, regardless of whether the cook has enough fish for supper !
DAY 10 Dragon Trees & National Park
Sao Nicolau is very mountainous with vertical cliffs on its North and West coast – but there are a couple of anchorages on the more sheltered south coast. Viewed from the air and sea the island looks barren an inhospitable. However it hides a secret, for inside these jagged mountains and volancic peaks hides a heart of green. many of the towns and villages are tucked into steep sides valleys. Ashore look out for the distinctive dragon trees (Dracaena draco) which are reputed to live as long as a thousand years. Two mountain ranges meet at the highest point of 4305ft Monte Gordo and the whole area is a National Park.The Wild Coast Drive on Sao Nicolau
If the ship offers a jeep safari - then this island is definately worth the bumps and dust. The exposed north coast has a tenuous road, often washed away by flash floods, with numerous detours and repairs, but the coastline is spectacular and parched. It recieves the full force of the NE trades, is backed by mountains and a few stone walled fishing villages perch on the rocky promentaries that jut out into the sea. Tourism is virtually non existant, so if you drive into the villages you see how hard life can be and why so many Cape Verdeans leave the island to find work.
DAY 11 Boa Vista - Desert Sand Dunes
DAY 12 Sal - Shipwrecks, salt & miles of sandy beaches
Our Schooner Oosterschelde normally starts her voyages in the fishing port of Palmeria which is closer to the airport, but she tends to finish by anchoring off Santa Maria beach. Both are easly reached by taxi from the airport.
Sal is the main island in Cape Verde that Westerners visit due to the international airport and package flights from Europe. It was tipped to be the next hot destination for sun starved Europeans and Sal enjoyed a holiday home property boom just before the recession. The pace of change is now slower and the Cape Verdeans have had more time to think about how they want their tourism economy to evolve. The outer islands that Oosterschelde explores under sail are hardly touched by tourism so far.
It has amazing white beaches and turquiose seas and the cross shore winds on the beach at Santa Maria is fast becoming a world mecca for kite surfers. The wooden jetty is used every day for local fishermen to unload their fresh fish - usually big game fish like wahoo or tuna, or some unusual crustaceans.
All you need is a pair of swimming googles to enjoy the swimming and spot small fish. Walking the three mile beach and watching the kite surfing lessons and local experts skimming along and leaping into the air is easier than having a go.
Tall Ship Sailing Holiday & a few extra days on the beach ?
It is cheap to stay a few days on Sal either end of your voyage. There are lots of apartments and small hotels, but the town is a bit like an unfinished building site, as you move back from the waterfront. There are plenty of resturants from basic fast food, to fresh fish, and a few high quality resturants if you seek them out. Local Cape Verdeans still live in this tourist town and sell produce and crafts at local markets. The children play on the beach, doing acrobatic flips off the pier and the local men like to show off on the exercise pull up bars.
Excursions
For most of the islands Oosterschelde offers organised expeditions under guidance of a crewmember and a local guide. The shipping company covers the costs of meals and ferries during these excursions.
The costs for taxi and bus transfers are approx. € 10-12 per person and will be charged to the passenger. These excursions are not obligatory and you can choose to explore the islands at your own convenience.
There are several special points of interest for exploring nature and bird spotting.
Other possibilities are scuba diving, renting a surfboard or kite, and tours on quad bikes.
Onboard we have plenty of reading materials about the islands and what can be done there.
Telephone Classic Sailing on 01872 580022 to reserve a place this winter 2011-2012
Island Information for Sal, Cape Verde
Voyages start from Palmeira which is a bay and small fishing port on the west of the island, nearer the airport. The large concrete commercial breakwater is cordoned off. Wait under the shady tree near the bar where the local fishermen unload their catch on a little stone jetty. The ships dinghy will come in to collect you at joining time.
Voyages end in the main tourist port of Santa Maria in the South of the island.
Both are easily reached by taxi. If you are arriving a few days early then the majority of accommodation, beach bars, restuarants and shops are in Santa Maria.
Santa Maria
There is an old town and a local population, living in low rise housing, but it has been rather consumed by beach side development and apartments. The town does resemble a building site, but the 3 mile beach still offers a perfect place to unwind before your voyage. The sea is a stunning turquoise with local fishing boats still bringing in a daily catch of wahoo and tuna. There are several fish restaurants on the beach or in the local squares and a couple of harder to find restuarants with quality menus. Many of the hotels are run by Italians or Portuguese and some have small restaurants too. You can buy snacks from small local shops or street vendors.
You can have windsurfing or kite surfing lessons - the conditions are excellent if you are not a beginner - but it is not cheap.
People watching and swimming in the sea is the best activity.
Flight Information
Fly either with Thompsons from either Gatwick, Birmingham or Manchester. 14 day charter flights are the cheapest if you can get dates that fit your voyage. You will need a few days on Sal to use these.
Or with Portuguese airline TAP which has daily flights from the UK or other European Countries but often go via Lisbon with long stop overs and arrive late at night.
Try using the following llink, use the Change Search button to select the airports, UK ALL, London ALL, etc and the dates or months you want.
SkyScanner
Hotel Accommodation on Sal
Vaccinations
None are required for Cape Verde. The winds and dry climate mean there are less mosquitos than the Caribbean in the evenings. The ship has a water maker which it uses whilst sailing offshore so there is always clean fresh water to drink.
VISA
You will require a Visa.
If you live in the UK with a British Passport you obtain your visa on arrival at the airport - about £25
If you live in any country that the Cape Verde Islands has a consulate (e.g. Netherlands) in you have to obtain a visa in your own country (the UK does not have a Cape Verde Consulate).
Island Information for Sal, Cape Verde
Voyages start from Palmeira which is a bay and small fishing port on the west of the island, nearer the airport. The large concrete commercial breakwater is cordoned off. Wait under the shady tree near the bar where the local fishermen unload their catch on a little stone jetty. The ships dinghy will come in to collect you at joining time.
Voyages end in the main tourist port of Santa Maria in the South of the island.
Both are easily reached by taxi. If you are arriving a few days early then the majority of accommodation, beach bars, restuarants and shops are in Santa Maria.
Santa Maria
There is an old town and a local population, living in low rise housing, but it has been rather consumed by beach side development and apartments. The town does resemble a building site, but the 3 mile beach still offers a perfect place to unwind before your voyage. The sea is a stunning turquoise with local fishing boats still bringing in a daily catch of wahoo and tuna. There are several fish restaurants on the beach or in the local squares and a couple of harder to find restuarants with quality menus. Many of the hotels are run by Italians or Portuguese and some have small restaurants too. You can buy snacks from small local shops or street vendors.
You can have windsurfing or kite surfing lessons - the conditions are excellent if you are not a beginner - but it is not cheap.
People watching and swimming in the sea is the best activity.
Flight Information
Fly either with Thompsons from either Gatwick, Birmingham or Manchester. 14 day charter flights are the cheapest if you can get dates that fit your voyage. You will need a few days on Sal to use these.
Or with Portuguese airline TAP which has daily flights from the UK or other European Countries but often go via Lisbon with long stop overs and arrive late at night.
Try using the following llink, use the Change Search button to select the airports, UK ALL, London ALL, etc and the dates or months you want.
SkyScanner
Hotel Accommodation on Sal
Vaccinations
None are required for Cape Verde. The winds and dry climate mean there are less mosquitos than the Caribbean in the evenings. The ship has a water maker which it uses whilst sailing offshore so there is always clean fresh water to drink.
VISA
You will require a Visa.
If you live in the UK with a British Passport you obtain your visa on arrival at the airport - about £25
If you live in any country that the Cape Verde Islands has a consulate (e.g. Netherlands) in you have to obtain a visa in your own country (the UK does not have a Cape Verde Consulate).
Three masted topsail schooner Oosterschelde
Oosterschelde has sailed as far as the Arctic and Antarctica and sailed around the world She is very well known in Holland and a favourite of sea and nature lovers. The ship is owned by a Dutch Foundation but the working language on board is English.
LATEST NEWS - more below
- Cape Verde - Tropical Sailing in Winter 2012-13
- Catch this impressive schooner with square sails in Europe this summer 2012
- Round the World Voyage & Australian Tall Ships Races 2013
Life on Oosterschelde
On board Oosterschelde—as on all of Classic Sailing holidays—you are not a passenger but part of the guest crew. You will be assigned a watch together with the professional crew to sail, steer and navigate the ship. No sailing experience is necessary. The crew will be happy to explain the functions of all the ropes.
Oosterschelde is very well known in Holland and a favourite of sea and nature lovers. Her ethos is one of active and direct exposure to the sea and sailing, the region being explored and its wildlife. Below decks the two and four cabins are fitted with a washbasin with hot and cold water. Showers are separate. The lounge is very stylish with a wood burning stove (for Spitzbergen trips etc) a piano and library. All cabins have forced ventilation and a window or hatch to open. The ever present trade winds keep it a pleasant temperature below decks. She has a large galley and professional cook and you can buy drinks at the bar. On board euros are accepted but not credit cards.
On a fore and aft rigged schooner there is more sail trimming, tacking and gybing than you might find on a square rigger, so at times on watch you may be very busy. With two square sails there is still an excuse (if you need it) to go aloft.
Expedition Ship
Oosterschelde is well used to running sailing expeditions to remote places like Spitzbergen, Antarctica, Indonesia with well educated guests interested in nature, walking, maritime history and local culture ashore. Whilst the ship does do social projects / sail training, for most the year the hospitality and style of sailing is geared towards adults on an adventure holiday. The landing places will be carefully selected to show you the best of each island and there will be some organised expeditions ashore.
Equipment & Safety
The crew are experienced ocean going sailors and most of them are employed on Oosterschelde full time. The ship is owned and operated by Oosterschelde Shipping Company and Sailing Foundation. She is equipped to sail the world’s seas and holds all the safety certificates required by Dutch Law. As you are part of the guest crew you will be fully trained in emergency procedures. For going ashore Oostershelde has two rubber dinghies with outboards and a wooden boat. She carries lifejackets, liferafts, fire detection and extinguishing systems, very extensive medicine cabinent, EPIRB, SART, radar, GPS, SSB radio, INMARSAT Sat C fax terminal etc. If your family/friends need to contact the ship in emergencies the ship can be contacted by Iridium saterlite telephone, but cheaper to go through the ships office in Rotterdam ( Michelle or Gerben) as they are in contact with the ship regularly.
Ship Specification:
| Type | 3 masted topsail schooner |
| Built | 1918 (restored 1988-1992) |
| Port | Rotterdam |
| LOA | 50 metres |
| LOD | 40.12 metres |
| Draft | 3 metres |
| sail area | 891 m sq |
| cabins | 24 guest crew in 2 or 4 berth cabins |
| crew | Captain, Mate, DH/Engineer, Cook, DH |
Cape Verde for trade winds & tropical sun
Now a regular feature in Oosterschelde's Sailing Programme, the ship sails south in the autumn to the Cape Verde Islands. This 'off the beaten track' destination makes for perfect sailing. Located off Senegal in West Africa, these nine islands are on the same latitude as St Lucia in the Caribbean and enjoy strong NE trade winds, tropical sun and virtually no rain. They are nothing like the Canaries and the ship arranges some great jeep safaris up into the mountains and local villages.
For some great photos and a full description of these voyages
PDF Cape Verde Sailing Expeditions Brochure 2011-12
PDF - a photo diary of our Christmas voyage in Cape Verde
Round the World Voyage Planned 2013
Oosterschelde and our other Dutch tall ship Europa are sailing around the world together in 2013.
The route for Oosterschelde will be to sail from Cape Verde (at the end of next years winter season in Spring 2013) to Cape Town and rendevous with Europa. They both sail for Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion, Freemantle, Jakarta, Adelaide, Melbourne and stop in Hobart Tasmania. In Australia they will help celebrate the Australian Royal Navy Centennial celebrations in a series of tall ships races. Hobart - Sydney, Sydney - Auckland. The two ships will sail accross the South Pacific and around Cape Horn, before going their seperate ways. Dates to be announced after Easter 2012.
Short Summer Season 2012 - Try Oosterschelde in Europe.
If you just want to try out Oosterschelde we have a few voyages this summer in the English Channel, Highlights include exploring the Channel Isles and sailing to St Malo tall ships gathering and Brest Festival in one voyage.
Gilbert Pépin Location: Vernon, France 29.5.2009
I want to thank the crew for the three magnificent days passed on board, between "Golfe du Morbihan" and "Le Havre". I sailed on numerous occasions on about ten different ships, and this sailing on Oosterschelde is the best experience I ever had. I was impressed by the good performances of the ship, and by the way the crew adjusts sails permanently so that the ship always gives the best ; it was an immense pleasure to participate of my best in all these operations. I regret that our different languages did not allow us to communicate more, because all the crew members were really very nice and very thoughtful with us. I have now only an envy: to embark again on Oosterschelde, to be on the deck to participate in the laborers of sails, to climb on the mast to help the crew, and to share again these excellent moments given by sailing on Oosterschelde !!!
(Excuse my bad English, which is the one from a French...)
Thanks again
Gilbert
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