La Palma - Mindelo / Canary Islands - Cape Verde
November 8, 2026, 5:00 PM - November 21, 2026, 10:00 AM
Category:
coastal sailing / offshore voyage approx. 1200 nm
The crossing of the North Atlantic Ocean to the Cape Verde archipelago will take us approximately six nights. With good seamanship and the proven watch system, we will enjoy the fascination of offshore sailing before reaching Palmeira on the island of Sal after about 800 nautical miles.
Average daily temperatures of 25 degrees combined with 23-degree warm sea water make us quickly forget the winter in Europe.
The town of Santa Maria attracts visitors with its wide beaches and African ambience.
With a bit of luck, we might be able to observe whales, sea turtles, or the exuberant play of dolphins.
With the northeast trade winds at our sails, São Nicolau is easily accessible, and we thoroughly enjoy the trophy-rich bluewater sailing. São Nicolau is small, yet incredibly diverse. Its coastal formations are considered one of the seven natural wonders of Cape Verde, and in the small villages, time seems to have stood still.
Our final leg takes us across the turquoise Atlantic Ocean, past Santa Lucia, to Mindelo on São Vicente. Mindelo is the Cape Verdean capital of music, culture, and art. The markets are loud and authentic, and the old town is bustling with vibrant activity.
We will experience the blissful feeling of having made it when we bring our eventful 14-day voyage to a close in the port of Mindelo.
In Cape Verde, there is only one marina for pleasure boats, located in Mindelo; on the other islands, we will mainly anchor in sheltered bays or harbor facilities.
The consistently blowing northeast trade winds provide optimal sailing conditions with wind speeds between 15 and 25 knots.
The Cape Verde islands are of volcanic origin, with volcanic peaks reaching up to 2829 meters.
The climate is mild year-round and never gets excessively hot. Rain is rare in Cape Verde, occurring at most as a damp trade wind fog in the mid-elevations of the mountainous islands.
Cape Verde is a safe and democratic travel destination.
We're sailing a new 2017 Bavaria C51. It's a special vessel, designed and certified for offshore sailing. It handles even high waves with ease and boasts excellent seakeeping. Comfort and performance have been seamlessly combined, promising a pleasant time together on board and an exhilarating sailing experience.
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