Santa Lucia, Cape Verde
Santa Lucia, the only uninhabited island of Cape Verde, is only 5 km wide and 13 km long. There is very little vegetation on the island, the main attraction is clean beaches and dunes, as well as excellent diving. The highest point on Santa Lucia is Monte Grande (395 m above sea level).
The lack of water made it impossible to settle the island with permanent residents, despite this, since the 19th century, fishermen and shepherds have lived here – only about 20 people. It is known that back in the 60s of the 20th century a family of shepherds lived here. However, since 1990, the state declared the island absolutely uninhabited and assigned it the status of a reserve.
According to baglib, Santa Lucia is clearly visible from the islands of San Vicente, from Callau Bay.
How to get to Santa Lucia
You can get to the island from San Vicente by fishing boat in 1 hour.
Santo Antau, Cape Verde
Santo Antao Island – the second largest island of Cape Verde of volcanic origin, has preserved on its territory the remains of the past, such as the famous Cova craters. Here, ancient customs still exist, most clearly visible in traditional hospitality. For example, locals are very fond of treating tourists to traditional vodka “groge”.
The capital of the island is Ribeira Grande. The best beach is Praia Formosa.
When relaxing on Santo Antao, you should definitely try Caldo de camargo a moda da mama Bibi – clam soup with special spices, Camargo em vinha de alhos – a dish of shrimp pre-soaked in wine and Conserva de Camargo or Conserva de Carne de Porco – canned shrimp and pork stew. Real jam!
Entertainment and attractions of Santo Antao
The capital of the island, the city of Ribeira Grande, is notable for its typical colonial architecture of the 19th century. Of interest is Casa de Roberto Duarte Silva – one of the oldest buildings in the city, as well as the house where the scientist Roberto Duarte Silva was born and lived. Farol de Boi is the largest and oldest lighthouse in the archipelago (1886).
And, of course, the Cova craters, which are located between Porto Novo and Ribeira Grande. The Paúl Valley is one of the greenest and most beautiful places in the archipelago.
The island has excellent opportunities for a wide variety of recreation. The mountains of Santo Antao are suitable for trekking, hang gliding. The valleys offer favorable conditions for rewarding walking or cycling. There are dive centers of the European level on the island, locals and tourists go in for wind and kite surfing.
Nightclubs, bars and restaurants can be found in Ponta do Sol, Porto Novo and Ribeira Grande. For example, good Disco Oceano Ponta do Sol, Disco Doble Porto Novo, Disco Sérrega Negra Ribeira Grande.
Santiago, Cape Verde
Santiago is one of the most attractive islands in the archipelago, famous for its beautiful nature and comfortable climate. Mountains covered with eucalyptus groves and plantations of tropical plants, rocks and canyons make up the unique landscape of the island. Not far from the capital is the medieval Portuguese fortress of St. Philip – the first buildings of Europeans in Cape Verde. Ship cannons raised from the bottom of the ocean adorn the fortress walls.
The capital of the country and the largest city on the island is Praia. Good beaches go to the west of the capital – these are Praia Mar and Cuebra Canela.
How to get to Santiago
The flight from Sal to Santiago takes only 50 minutes. The plane arrives at the international airport of the country’s capital.
Entertainment and attractions
The sights of the capital are Albuquerque Square, the presidential palace, the ethnographic museum, the monument to Diogo Gomes. 10 km to the west is Ciudad Velha (Old Town) – the first settlement of Europeans in the archipelago, included in the UNESCO heritage list.
As well as the cities: Sant Jorge dos Orgaos, Bahia de Tarafal, Assomada with a picturesque fruit market and Chau Bom, where you can visit the old prison, which now houses the Museum of the Resistance.
Diving in Santiago
At the bottom of the ocean, the remains of hundreds of ships lie intact – the dream of any diver. However, wreck diving off Santiago Island is only suitable for experienced divers.
A few expeditions organized by underwater archaeologists in the area of Ciudad Velha brought to the surface ancient tools, cannonballs, coins, navigational instruments, and even corked vessels of wine from the 16th and 17th centuries. In addition, in 2000, six world records for the weight and size of fish caught were registered in these places.
