Beginner Windsurfing Holiday Sal

The Cape Verde islands are a small archipelago in the Atlantic, 1,500 km south of the Canary Islands and approx. 450 km off the West coast of Africa in the trade wind belt.

Due to their position within this winter trade wind belt, the Cape Verde Islands boast near perfect windsurfing conditions from late November to June. The Island of Sal, with the airport, has been a popular windsurfing haven for years. It's a barren island, but everyone who comes here falls under the spell of its mysterious charm and plans to return.

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Itinerary / Highlights

THE WIND
The wind in the Cape Verde islands is very reliable, and strong, between the months of October to June. There are few destinations that offer such consistently strong conditions for October to December; for most other destinations, both long and short haul, these can be very tricky months as they are between seasons.
At the main spot the wind blows side-offshore from the left and is slightly gusty in the centre of the bay.

THE WINDSURFING
The great attraction of Sal, apart from the wind, is the variety of conditions available from blasting to big waves. This really is a windsurfers paradise!!
Mistral have two centres in Sal which are open year around except for September. The Windsurf and Kite centre is based in the centre of the main bay of Santa Maria. As the wind blows side-offshore from the left, it is slightly gusty in the bay. If you enter the water right in front of the centre, you can reach two wave spots directly with your board. So you are spoilt for choice: one spot upwind, one spot downwind, or maybe the flat-water section right in front of your nose after all. The second centre is located at the windward end of the bay at the Sab Sab Hotel and is for more advanced windsurfers. You can use both centres with just one voucher to make sure you get the best conditions at the best spot!
As well as running all levels of courses Mistral also offer an excellent Unlimited Instruction Programme consisting of 3 sessions per day of different aspects from waterstarting to gybes. The beginners' unit is held at 9 a.m., when the wind is not so strong. The units for windsurfers with low-to-intermediate skills takes place at 11 a.m. and at 1 p.m.; at 3 p.m. the unit for advanced windsurfers takes place, as the wind is really strong by then (wind force: 7 - 8). Due to the ideal conditions, the average learning curve is astonishingly steep.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

MORABEZA HOTEL
There is a reasonably sized swimming pool set in a well presented patio area with bar/snack area. The Beach Club offers an enticing menu with the emphasis on locally caught seafood.
The 140 rooms have a shower, ceiling fan, TV, fridge and balcony/terrace, some of which have sea views (at a supplement). There are also holiday apartments for families with up to two children. WI-FI internet access is now available at the hotel, payable locally.

ODJO DEL AQUA HOTEL
The small pool is located on a tropical terrace overlooking the bay and the restaurant offers some of the best food on the island. Live music is also offered on some evenings in the nautical cellar bar.
All rooms are furnished to a high standard, with ensuite facilities, fan, TV, fridge, phone and balcony.

NOVORIZONTE HOTEL
Directly behind the Mistral Centre, the Novorizonte is a bungalow-style complex with simple, comfortably furnished rooms, which offer a more relaxed feel than a normal hotel. Located in the pleasant gardens, all rooms have ensuite facilities and air-conditioned.
The hotel has a saltwater pool and restaurant, and you may also use the facilities of the Belorizonte Hotel next door. These include two further pools (one freshwater and one saltwater), a tennis court, games room, table tennis, bar and restaurant.

SAB SAB
About 800 m distance from the village, at the east end of Santa Maria, this 3 star hotel is only 70 m away from the ocean shore line and so is very popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers.
50 rooms, divided in 16 single rooms, 2 suites and 4 family suites and the rest double rooms. All of them are comfortable equipped with bath/WC, minibar, TV, ventilator and a small balcony or terrace with ocean view.

BELORIZONTE
Directly behind the Mistral Centre, the Belorizonte is a bungalow-style complex with good, comfortably furnished rooms, which offer a more relaxed feel than a normal hotel. Located in the pleasant gardens, all rooms have ensuite facilities, air-conditioning.
Standard flats and Bungalows,have either twin or double beds - bunk bed for two children also Satellite TV- Air Conditioned-Mini-bar- safe and bathroom with poliban.

PONTA PRETA APARTMENTS
The Ponta Preta Apartments are light and airy apartments located just on road back from beautiful Santa Maria beach. The windsurf area is just across the road and the kitesurf area is a 10 minute walk away.
There are 21 roomy apartments with one or two bedrooms, all offering air-conditioning, satellite TV and internet access.

HOTEL DJADSAL
The Hotel Djadsal is located just steps away from the Club Mistral/Skyriders centre right on the beautiful Santa Maria beach. With its brightly coloured Moorish colours and uniquely styled interior it may not be to everyone' s taste but it certainly cannot be beaten on good value and location. The large saltwater swimming pool is the focal point of the hotel by day around which organised games and daytime activities take place. With children being well catered for too this is a good choice for families. The all inclusive package option available includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, unlimited local alcoholic drinks and non alcoholic drinks (excluding bottles of water).
The 250 rooms and Bungalows are functionally furnished and equipped with shower/WC, air conditioning, sat-TV, phone, mini-fridge and safe. The Bungalows have a seperate bedroom and two extra beds in the living area. All units have a private balcony or terrace.

HOTEL PONTAO
The Pontão is a small hotel with just 24 standard rooms and 12 two-bedroom suites; an ideal option for families with older children. This hotel is excellent value and is ideal to use as a base for your stay in Sal. The rooms are tastefully decorated in a modern, fresh, bright style. The swimming pool with circular seating area and surrounding sun terrace provides the perfect spot to relax and Santa Maria beach is only 300 metres away. Breakfast is served in the first floor breakfast room and there is also a small bar area. There are a number of restaurants within easy walking distance of the hotel and the popular ‘Pirata´ nightclub is opposite the entrance to the hotel.
Standard rooms have either double or twin beds, air-conditioning, shower, hairdryer, minibar, satellite TV, safety deposit box (charge payable locally) and balcony. This suite consists of two separate bedrooms, one with a double bed and the other with single beds. There is a separate lounge area and air-conditioning is located in the lounge and one of the bedrooms.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

All holidays are bespoke and can leave on any date (subject to availability). The price quoted above will vary dependent on departure date, hotel & selected course. Course and rental options include:

COURSES AND INSTRUCTION
6 / 10 HOUR STARTER COURSE INCLUDING EQUIPMENT £130 / £160
6 HOURS INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED INSTRUCTION EXCLUDING EQUIPMENT £119
5 / 10 DAYS UNLIMITED PREMIUM £225 / £375

RENTAL (MISTRAL/NORTH SAILS)
1 WEEK £180
2 WEEKS £300

+ 44 (0) 870 749 1959