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Baia Norte / Sao Vicente kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot

Cape Verde · São Vicente

Spot currently openIntermediate levelAltitude 4 m 16.89 | -24.91

Overview

Baia Norte is a bay on the north coast of São Vicente Island, Cape Verde, situated between Salamansa to the west and Baia das Gatas to the east. It's a less-known intermediate wave spot offering an alternative to the more popular Salamansa.

The bay faces north, catching the full force of the NE trade wind in a side-shore to cross-onshore configuration. Waves develop in the bay, offering wave riding practice in a less crowded environment.

Baia Norte is typically accessed as part of a coastal exploration between Salamansa and Baia das Gatas, either by riding along the coast or by car/taxi.

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Spot forecast for Baia Norte / 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 4.3 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

Baia Norte / 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

0 10 20 30 40 January: 31 rideable days31 d J February: 28.5 rideable days28.5 d F March: 31 rideable days M April: 29.5 rideable days A May: 31 rideable days M June: 30 rideable days J July: 29.5 rideable days J August: 29 rideable days A September: 28.5 rideable days28.5 d S October: 30.5 rideable days O November: 29.5 rideable days N December: 30.5 rideable days D 0 10 20 30 40 January: 31 rideable days31 d J February: 28.5 rideable days28.5 d F March: 31 rideable days M April: 29.5 rideable days A May: 31 rideable days M June: 30 rideable days J July: 29.5 rideable days J August: 29 rideable days A September: 28.5 rideable days28.5 d S October: 30.5 rideable days O November: 29.5 rideable days N December: 30.5 rideable days D

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: Baia Norte / Sao Vicente
Monthly averages — Baia Norte / 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 31.0 433 h 22 °C 0 mm
April 29.5 411 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 29.0 399 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 30.5 407 h 24 °C 8 mm

Photo gallery of Baia Norte / Sao Vicente

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Technical details of Baia Norte / 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

Launch from sandy sections. Waves in the bay for wave riding practice. Mix of flat and choppy water near shore.

Good for intermediate wave riders wanting less crowded conditions than Salamansa.

Can be combined with a coastal ride from Salamansa or a visit to Baia das Gatas.

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

Best October to June.

Required level
Intermediate
On the water

Waves 0.5–2m in the bay over mixed sand and reef bottom. Water 21–25°C. Shorty or 3/2mm.

Parking

Baia Norte is between Salamansa and Baia das Gatas on the north coast of São Vicente. Access by car or taxi from Mindelo, or by riding along the coast from Salamansa.

No infrastructure. Bring everything.

Wind specificities

NE trade wind side-shore to cross-onshore. 15–27 knots in season. Clean and consistent on this exposed north-facing coast. Kites 7–11m.

Hazards

Waves and reef: waves break over mixed sand and reef. Reef shoes recommended.

Rocky sections of coastline. Be careful with launch and landing spots.

No rescue service. Remote stretch of coast between Salamansa and Baia das Gatas.

Strong wind: São Vicente regularly sees 25+ knots.

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Nearby spots

All spots: São Vicente

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