Overview

Salamansa is the main kitesurf spot on São Vicente Island, Cape Verde, and one of the most authentic kite destinations in the archipelago. It's a long, empty white sand beach on the north coast of the island, backed by a stunning mountain panorama.

The spot offers side-shore to cross-onshore wind from the NE trades — one of the safest wind orientations. The beach is spacious with varied conditions: flat to choppy water in the centre, waves developing further out and to the east side, and excellent kickers for jumping.

Salamansa is uncrowded — maximum 18 kiters allowed, but you'll rarely see more than 3 on the water. A small fishing village with a laid-back beach bar, a crêperie, and kite gear storage. The cultural capital of Cape Verde, Mindelo, is just 15 minutes away with live music, great food, and vibrant nightlife.

Less touristy than Sal, São Vicente offers a more authentic Cape Verdean experience with excellent hiking opportunities on neighbouring Santo Antão.

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Spot forecast for Salamansa / 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 3.6 km from the spot.

Tuesday 20 October High tide 03:28 · 0.6 m Low tide 10:20 · 0.3 m High tide 16:49 · 0.5 m Low tide 22:04 · 0.4 m
Wednesday 21 October High tide 04:56 · 0.7 m Low tide 11:28 · 0.3 m High tide 17:51 · 0.6 m Low tide 23:17 · 0.3 m
Thursday 22 October High tide 05:50 · 0.7 m Low tide 12:14 · 0.3 m High tide 18:32 · 0.7 m
Friday 23 October Low tide 00:09 · 0.3 m High tide 06:31 · 0.8 m Low tide 12:50 · 0.2 m High tide 19:05 · 0.7 m
Saturday 24 October Low tide 00:51 · 0.2 m High tide 07:08 · 0.8 m Low tide 13:22 · 0.2 m High tide 19:36 · 0.8 m

Salamansa / 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

399h

in January · 31 rideable days

The spot works year-round: 30 rideable days a month on average, at 24 °C. It peaks in January, with 399 hours of usable wind.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 24%13-20 knots · 70%21-30 knots · 6%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 13 and 20 knots — 70% of rideable hours. That is the most versatile range, where most kites work. The coldest month is February, at 22 °C. The wettest month is October, with 76 mm.

Monthly averages: Salamansa / Sao Vicente

Monthly averages — Salamansa / 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	31.0	399 h	24 °C	3 mm
February	28.5	376 h	22 °C	0 mm
March	31.0	434 h	22 °C	0 mm
April	30.0	412 h	23 °C	3 mm
May	31.0	463 h	23 °C	0 mm
June	30.0	450 h	24 °C	2 mm
July	29.5	400 h	25 °C	9 mm
August	29.0	400 h	26 °C	67 mm
September	28.5	376 h	27 °C	56 mm
October	30.5	409 h	27 °C	76 mm
November	29.5	413 h	26 °C	6 mm
December	30.5	408 h	24 °C	8 mm

Photo gallery of Salamansa / Sao Vicente

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Technical details of Salamansa / Sao Vicente spot

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

Rideable Not rideable

Local association recommendations

Kitesurf Cabo Verde / Crêperie Chez Zoe — gear storage, food and drinks on the beach at Salamansa.

Spot functioning

Launch from the spacious sandy beach. The centre offers flat to choppy water — good for freestyle and freeride. Waves start developing 200m+ out.

Wave riders: head to the east side of the bay for the best waves — clean breaks, excellent for wave riding. The waves create natural kickers for jumping too.

Freestylers: stay in the centre where the water is flatter.

Beginners: the cross-onshore wind is safe, but the shorebreak and waves make São Vicente better for intermediate+. Lessons available locally.

Other spots on the island accessible by taxi or car: Baia das Gatas (flat), Calhau/Praia Grande (waves), Sandy Beach (expert waves).

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Year-round, best season October to June. Peak: February to May. Baia das Gatas Music Festival in August.
Required level: Intermediate

On the water

Varied: flat to choppy in the centre, waves 1–3m on the sides and further out. Sandy bottom with some reef in places.

Water temperature 21–25°C. 3/2mm wetsuit or shorty recommended — the strong wind creates significant chill.

Parking

Salamansa is on the north coast of São Vicente, about 15 minutes from Mindelo by taxi (~900 escudos/€9) or collectivo bus (~100 escudos).

The beach has basic facilities: a beach bar (open 10:00–18:00), Crêperie Chez Zoe with food and gear storage (~€3/day). No hotel in Salamansa itself — stay in Mindelo and commute.

Flights to São Vicente's Cesária Évora Airport, typically via Lisbon or with a stopover in Sal.

Wind specificities

NE trade wind blows side-shore to cross-onshore at Salamansa. The beach faces north, so the wind comes from the right and slightly onto the beach.

Wind strength: typically 16–27 knots, often exceeding 25 knots. São Vicente is windier than Sal. Kite sizes 7–11m. Steady 80% of the year from NE/NNE direction.

The wind is steady in the centre of the beach but gets more gusty downwind (east). Upwind (west) offers beautiful steady waves.

Best season: October to May/June, with February–May the peak.

Hazards

Shorebreak: waves break near the shore and can make launching/landing tricky. Local beach boys help with kite handling.

Waves further out: the further east you go, the bigger and more powerful the waves become. Know your limits.

Rocks downwind: going downwind (east) leads toward rocky coastline. Adventure riders go there for waves but take more risk.

Strong wind: trade winds on São Vicente regularly exceed 25 knots, stronger than Sal or Boa Vista. Be prepared for powered conditions.

No hospital nearby — basic clinic in Mindelo only.

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Salamansa / Sao Vicente kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot