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Sandy Beach / Sao Vicente kitesurf, windsurf and surf spot

Cape Verde · São Vicente

Spot currently openExpert levelAltitude 2 m 16.86 | -24.88

Overview

Sandy Beach (also known as Praia Grande / Calhau area) is a wave spot on the northeast coast of São Vicente Island, Cape Verde. Located near the village of Calhau, it's one of the most beautiful and wild wave spots on the island.

The spot features powerful ocean waves breaking on a long beach with volcanic rock formations. The water is crystal-clear but the ocean is rough and currents are strong. This is expert territory — not accessible to beginners.

Sandy Beach / Calhau is remote and difficult to reach, adding to its raw appeal. The area is untouched, with stunning turquoise water against dark volcanic rock.

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Spot forecast for Sandy Beach / Sao Vicente

Sunrise 06:33 · Sunset 18:15

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 1.6 km from the spot.

6:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:00Tue 20Wed 21Thu 22Fri 23Sat 24 Now03:060.7 m10:050.4 m16:280.5 m21:590.4 m04:390.7 m11:100.3 m17:370.6 m23:060.4 m05:360.7 m11:580.3 m18:190.7 m23:570.3 m06:190.8 m12:360.2 m18:530.7 m00:410.2 m06:570.8 m13:110.2 m19:250.8 m
  • Tuesday 20 October High tide · 0.7 m Low tide · 0.4 m High tide · 0.5 m Low tide · 0.4 m
  • Wednesday 21 October High tide · 0.7 m Low tide · 0.3 m High tide · 0.6 m Low tide · 0.4 m
  • Thursday 22 October High tide · 0.7 m Low tide · 0.3 m High tide · 0.7 m Low tide · 0.3 m
  • Friday 23 October High tide · 0.8 m Low tide · 0.2 m High tide · 0.7 m
  • Saturday 24 October Low tide · 0.2 m High tide · 0.8 m Low tide · 0.2 m High tide · 0.8 m

Sandy Beach / Sao Vicente: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

433h

in March · 31 rideable days

The spot works year-round: 30 rideable days a month on average, at 26 °C. It peaks in March, with 433 hours of usable wind.

Rideable days per month

0 10 20 30 40 January: 30.5 rideable days J February: 28.5 rideable days F March: 31 rideable days31 d M April: 30 rideable days A May: 31 rideable days M June: 30 rideable days J July: 28 rideable days J August: 27.5 rideable days27.5 d A September: 28 rideable days S October: 29 rideable days O November: 29.5 rideable days N December: 30.5 rideable days D 0 10 20 30 40 January: 30.5 rideable days J February: 28.5 rideable days F March: 31 rideable days31 d M April: 30 rideable days A May: 31 rideable days M June: 30 rideable days J July: 28 rideable days J August: 27.5 rideable days27.5 d A September: 28 rideable days S October: 29 rideable days O November: 29.5 rideable days N December: 30.5 rideable days D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 37%13-20 knots · 62%21-30 knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 13 and 20 knots — 62% of rideable hours. That is the most versatile range, where most kites work. The coldest month is February, at 24 °C. The wettest month is August, with 105 mm.

Monthly averages: Sandy Beach / Sao Vicente
Monthly averages — Sandy Beach / Sao Vicente — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 30.5 389 h 25 °C 9 mm
February 28.5 376 h 24 °C 0 mm
March 31.0 433 h 24 °C 3 mm
April 30.0 411 h 25 °C 3 mm
May 31.0 462 h 26 °C 1 mm
June 30.0 447 h 26 °C 3 mm
July 28.0 371 h 27 °C 12 mm
August 27.5 356 h 28 °C 105 mm
September 28.0 365 h 28 °C 73 mm
October 29.0 394 h 28 °C 76 mm
November 29.5 409 h 27 °C 5 mm
December 30.5 405 h 25 °C 18 mm

Photo gallery of Sandy Beach / Sao Vicente

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Ridden here? One photo or video, and the spot comes alive for everyone discovering it.

Technical details of Sandy Beach / Sao Vicente spot

N: Rideable NNE: Rideable NE: Rideable ENE: Rideable E: Not rideable ESE: Not rideable SE: Not rideable SSE: Not rideable S: Not rideable SSW: Not rideable SW: Not rideable WSW: Not rideable W: Not rideable WNW: Not rideable NW: Not rideable NNW: Not rideable N E S W

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, ENE.

Rideable Not rideable
Spot functioning

Wave spot with powerful breaks. Directional board essential. Best organized as a day trip from Mindelo/Salamansa with transport arranged.

The waves are excellent for experienced wave riders seeking uncrowded, raw conditions.

Spot opening date · Required level
Spot opening date
Open all year round

Best October to June. Waves year-round.

Required level
Expert
On the water

Rough open ocean with powerful waves. Rocky bottom and volcanic formations. Strong currents.

Water 21–25°C. 3/2mm wetsuit recommended.

Parking

Sandy Beach is near Calhau village on the northeast coast of São Vicente. Access by car or taxi from Mindelo (~30–40 min). Roads can be rough.

No infrastructure at the spot. Bring everything. Some kite schools organize day trips to Calhau for wave sessions.

Wind specificities

NE trade wind provides cross-shore to side-offshore conditions depending on exact beach orientation. 15–25+ knots in season. São Vicente is very windy.

Hazards

EXPERT ONLY. Powerful ocean waves, strong currents, rocky shore with volcanic formations.

Shallow rocks: can become very shallow and dangerous. Stone shore makes getting in/out challenging.

No rescue: remote location, no safety infrastructure.

Not for beginners under any circumstances.

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Webcams near Sandy Beach / Sao Vicente

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Nearby spots

All spots: São Vicente

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