Chartering in Cape Verde: trade winds, clearing in and harbours

The Cape Verde islands lie off West Africa right in the north east trade wind. From autumn to spring it blows steadily and often hard, speeds up between the islands and off the headlands, and brings a long Atlantic swell with it. In winter Saharan dust often cuts the visibility. Charter bases are mainly on São Vicente, at Mindelo, and on Sal. Passages between the island groups are long, sheltered harbours and anchorages are few, and help is much further away than in the Mediterranean or the Channel.

Entry rules are set by the country and change from time to time, so check the current position with the Foreign Office before you travel. With the boat you clear in at a port of entry with the maritime police and immigration, and in Cape Verde crews are often asked to report again to the Polícia Marítima in each harbour they visit. The base explains which papers it provides for this and which harbours it allows. It normally wants an ICC or an RYA sea certificate, a VHF operator's licence and offshore experience, and where experience is thin some bases offer a skipper.

Plan with a margin. Reef before the acceleration zones, start long passages early in the day and keep a bolt hole in mind. From August to October tropical disturbances form in the region and can grow into hurricanes, so most bases charter mainly from autumn to spring. Ask about ground tackle, the tender and water capacity, because supplies are not available in every bay. If you damage someone else's boat or property with the charter yacht you are personally liable, so your own skipper liability insurance belongs in the preparations.

Worth remembering

In Cape Verde you plan a margin for wind, water and paperwork.