Temperatures are comfortable: 22 – 27 C during the day cooling down to 16 – 21 C during the night.
The most you will need in the water is a shorty with sea temperatures of 22 – 27 C.
The windy season starts in mid of December and lasts all the way till the end of June. On a typical day the wind is 16 knots, blowing all day from the North-East or North-North-East. Perfect for a kitesurf session at Salamansa.
Cape Verde is a democratic, Catholic country,but you should take sensible precautions against petty crime (theft).There are no dangerous insects or reptiles. Vaccination before entering the country is not necessary.
(From the period when Kitesurf NOW was operating)
I arrived in Cape Verde this past march to go hiking in Santo Antao (a must do) and on a whim I decided to try out kite-surfing! I was greeted by the wonderful staff and they took me out to the destined Salamansa beach by bus! The beach is wonderfully secluded, hardly any tourists and masses of people clogging up you kite lines and plenty of drinks good food and essentials from the good people at the ktie center! Gotta mention the prices are also very affordable, especially compared to kitesurfing lessons on the other islands in the Cape Verde (especially vs Sal... watch out!) and especially compared to learning it here in Holland! Gotta be sure to check when the winds are good if your really the pro-kiter, but you can also just have a blast laying out on the beach! I highly recommend this for a low-maintanence-adventure-seeking-budget-conscious-traveller!
Vincent (Netherlands) - http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/
The staff provided a great couple of days for a group of us, including tuition, local guiding and advice as well as the use of their brilliant beach bar set up. The beach is perfect to learn and ride in with good winds and some surf. I was powered on a 9m and 5'8" surfboard for most of the time and they have gear to hire as well. Collection was easy from Mindelo port and communications were great. Overall an excellent chilled out experience, great kiting and company - recommended! A giant bay with loads of wind and only 3 or 4 kites in the air! Check out their other sports on offer too. Thanks guys! Tom, UK
Tom (United Kingdom) - http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/
I came with my husband to Salamansa because he like to kite on big waves with surf board. We came from crowded Shark beach from Sal...and it was really like we came to another world, to kite paradise! My husband really enjoy in waves which are really big. First two days I have a little problems with my twintip board but than I find the way, how to past first two big waves and kite away from the coast. Everything was perfect and we will sure come again!
Teja (Slovenia) - http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/
Salamansa is a beautiful beach with virtually no one on it! My partner and I arrived as intermediate level kitesurfers used to flying on flat/choppy water. We were a bit daunted by the size of the waves at first, but after 10 days of constant wind and time on the water we were both learning new skills and starting to enjoy the conditions. The busiest it got on the water was about 4 or 5 kites out at a time so you have plenty of room to make mistakes! The beach bar is a great space to chill out and take a break from the sun/wind. For kitesurfers looking for an unspoilt spot with reliable wind, Salamansa is great just so long as you don't mind the waves (which can get quite big and tend to break very quickly).
Dave (United Kingdom) - http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/
Always windy! Nice chill out area at the beach, less people, perfect service! Next to kitesurfing you can do hiking tours, rent a mountainbike, book a guided biketour, Ebikes are available and a lot more! I will join them again!!!
Herwig Kahler (Austria) - http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/
Location: Some spots in the area, from small lagoon for beginners, to waves for advanced. Big swells are likely to reach Salamansa. Trade winds. Few riders in the bay, plenty of space for your surfing or tricks. The staff keep an eye on the bay, and assist you when dropping the kite on the shorebreak. Great work! Facilities: the staff were helpful for planning activities, also lunch break and transport. On 2014 they are expanding and upgrading their settlement on the beach on an ecological basis. I suggest to contact them before travel for any advice. I arranged a board location beforehand, so I did not have to travel with a boardbag. Their material was fresh 2014. When wind is absent its time to visit nearby Santo Antao. Will I go back to Salamansa? Soon, before it gets too popular.
Gael (Spain) - http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/
I visited Salamansa beach with a bunch of friends after we had spent some days on busy shark beach on Sal. It was very refreshing to be almost alone on this beautiful spot on green and lush Sao Vicente. Ola and Mark are enthusiastic entrepreneurs hard at work developing their kite center and related tourism business. It is also nice to see that they involve the local population in their efforts. Highly recommended for a couple of days of great kitesurfing.
Rene Bos (Netherlands) - http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/
Fly direct with Transavia (Flycaboverde) leaving Mondays returning Mondays or via Sal with TACV leaving Fridays returning Saturdays
Flights with TACV via Praia going out on Mondays, returning on Thurdays
Flights via Lisbon with TAP going out on Wednesdays, returning on Sundays.
Flights via Lisbon with TAP going out on Wednesdays, returning on Sundays