The Island São Nicolau in Cabo Verde
The island of São Nicolau offers impressive flora and fauna and green mountain landscapes waiting to be discovered by nature lovers. São Nicolau offers something for everyone with its festivals (Carnaval), nice little villages with pastel-colored houses, long white beaches for relaxing, and crystal clear waters for diving or kite surfing. This rocky island with the highest point at 1,300 meters – Monte Gordo – is less known by many tourists. At the foot of the mountain, you will find bananas, oranges, papayas, and beans as well as sugar cane and coffee plantations. The most fertile area is around the highest mountain.
The History of São Nicolau
Discovered on St. Nicholas Day, December 6, 1461, the first families from Madeira and their slaves from Guinea settled on São Nicolau around 1500. For a long time, the population of São Nicolau was few, plagued by Dutch, English, and French pirates, even after they had retreated inland to Ribeira Brava. Only the construction of a fortress in 1818 brought security to the inhabitants, and the population began to grow.
Today, the economy of São Nicolau lives mainly from agriculture. At the port of Tarrafal, the catching and preservation of tuna keep most of the inhabitants busy. In the future, São Nicolau hopes to develop ecotourism and possibly beach tourism.
The Weather in São Nicolau
São Nicolau how to get there?
Flights to São Nicolau
Sao Nicolau can be reached by a domestic flight several times a week from the islands of Sal and Sao Vicente. When landing at Sao Nicolau airport, you can enjoy the dramatic view as the plane flies along a volcanic crater.
Festivals at São Nicolau
Like every island in Cabo Verde, São Nicolau has its own festivals every year. Locals and tourists come together to enjoy the festivities.
Transportation by sea to São Nicolau
Take a ferry to São Nicolau
Ferry service has improved with the expansion of the network, although currently there is only one ferry a week to São Nicolau. The trip from São Nicolau-Tarrafal to Santiago takes about 8 hours and costs about 4,655$. If you want to go to São Vicente, it will take you only 2 hours for 2,1008$. You can also look for a place on a cargo ship, some take a limited number of passengers to São Vicente. For more information about the ferries, visit the website “CV Fast Ferry”
Take a yacht to São Nicolau
The port of Tarrafal offers the best anchorage and is the place where you report to the maritime police. Be aware that it may be impossible to commute ashore when the northeast winds rush down the ravines. There’s Preguiça, São Nicolau’s old port, which is more exposed, and Carriçal, a small, remote village with a pretty bay and shelter from the northeast winds. It is best to anchor there outside the bay.
Getting around in São Nicolau
Taxi
A taxi from the airport to the city takes about 10 minutes and costs around 6-8 euros. It is also possible to take an aluguer.
Renting a car
To reach the most interesting places, or if you want to go east to Carriçal, you will have to go off the road. For this reason, we strongly recommend you rent a 4×4 car.