Sao Vicente
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| São Vicente There are Port(s) of Entry here
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São Vicente (Portuguese for "Saint Vincent") is one of the Barlavento Islands, the northern group within the Cape Verde archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, off the west African coast. It is located between the islands of Santo Antão and Santa Luzia, with the Canal de São Vicente separating it from Santo Antão.
The main town, and port of the São Vicente island is Mindelo. Mindelo is the name of the town in the Porto Grande Bay. It is a very safe anchorage. Most commercial ships anchor off in the large bay. There two possibilities there: anchor off or dock at the yacht marina.
Charts
See Cape Verde.
Weather
See Cape Verde.
Passages
Islands
See Cape Verde.
Communication
- GSM/GPRS - While there is voice signal, service is not available for most European registered phones
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
The approach to Mindelo from the N, via the São Vicente - Santo Antão channel, can be tricky because of several small islands and rocks near São Vicente.
Warning: There can be accelerated winds across the São Vicente - Santo Antão channel resulting in steep seas especially when blowing against the south going current.
Entrance
Sao Vicente has a port of entry to Cape Verde. All the authorities are within walking distance of the Mindelo commercial harbor.
For Customs and Immigration information see Cape Verde.
Berthing
Ports
Courtesy of Manos Castrinakis
Porto Grande Bay
Porto Grande Bay [[Sao Vicente#Porto Grande Bay|Porto Grande Bay]] (Mindelo) 16°53.054'N, 024°59.753'W There is plenty of room in Porto Grande Bay. Anchor in 4.5 m depth. The bottom is sand and mud and provides good holding. Anchoring here is free.
Warning: It can get very windy and gusty in the bay. This is usually caused by a strong easterly wind from Africa the Hamadam that often brings very bad dust and frequently blows for 5-10 days.
Caution: Secure your dinghy or retain the services of Umberto, who seems to be in charge of a sizable cadre of "dinghy watchers" because theft is not uncommon here.
Alternatively, and more securely, you can go to the marina.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Anchorages
None, other than Porto Grande Bay.
Amenities
| Facilities | |
|---|---|
| Water | In the:
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| Electricity | In the:
|
| Toilets | At the marina |
| Showers | At the marina and the Club Nautico |
| Laundry | In the town and at the Club Nautico. |
| Garbage | There are bins around the harbor |
| Supplies | |
| Fuel |  marina [[Sao Vicente#marina|marina]]
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| Bottled gas |  boatsCV [[Sao Vicente#boatsCV|boatsCV]]
|
| Chandlers |  boatsCV [[Sao Vicente#boatsCV|boatsCV]] Ask at marina, they seem to have a good supply
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| Services | |
| Repairs |  boatsCV [[Sao Vicente#boatsCV|boatsCV]] Ask at.the marina, they do many repairs.
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| Internet | There are two Internet cafés, WiFi in the marina |
| Mobile connectivity | ? |
| Vehicle rentals | ? |
Provisioning
Provisions in general are meager. There is, however, a supermarket, a few blocks inland from the Policia Maritima, they will deliver to the marina. We were able to find only one butcher store, further inland from the supermarket. --Istioploos
Eating out
- Location1
-
Nella's [[Sao Vicente#Nella's|Nella's]] Good food.
- Location2
- Club Nautico [[Sao Vicente#Club Nautico|Club Nautico]] Reasonable food.
Transportation
- There are flights to Portugal
- The port of Mindelo, Porto Grande, is the busiest port of Cape Verde, with ferry services to the islands of Santo Antão, São Nicolau, Santiago and Sal
Tourism
History
Places to Visit
The town of Mindelo is interesting to walk around. Particularly interesting is the fish market, by the waterfront, and the the Mercado Municipal near the Governor's Palace.
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
- Sao Vicente at the Wikipedia
- Sao Vicente at the Wikivoyage
- Mindelo at the Wikipedia
- Club Nautico
- boatsCV
- Noonsite
References
See Cape Verde.
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Sao Vicente and this page's details validated:
- January 2005 ----Istioploos
Travels with S/Y Thetis
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Names: Istioploos |
