Cape Verde Islands Guide - Sau Nicolau
Click here to view our properties in this country
The main town of Sao Nicolau, Ribeira Brava’s town square is an island of peace
and antiquity, with a catholic church on one side, old colonial administration buildings
on the other three and a pretty garden in the centre.
Walk for ten minutes out of town, up a gorge and there are lush plantations of maize,
banana and papaya surround you. Take a drive through the agricultural centre of
the island and you’ll pass delightful villages and busy farming communities working
the fertile land.
Crossing the island you will see fairytale dragon trees, an endangered species and
native to Sao Nicolau. Following the fertile uplands the landscape flattens, becoming
arid as you reach Tarrafal lying on the coast with a black sand beach, the climate
here is hotter, drier and the landscape volcanic.
The landscape of Sao Nicolau bears the mark of a past intense, volcanic activity.
The rugged features will enchant both walkers and trekkers looking for real contact
with nature. It is the quietest island of the archipelago with small, traditional,
rural communities dotted around the coastline.
Ribeira Brava is located in a deep valley with an empty river bed flanked by two
mountain ranges reaching a height of 1,312m. The harbour town of Tarrafal is located
next to the black sanded beach. The bay of Tarrafal is rich in high quality fish,
sustenance for the islanders. It also attracts leisure fishing enthusiasts, particularly
those seeking the much sought after Blue Marlin.
Things To Do:
Hiking : There are many hillside walks along the interior of Sao
Nicolau and from its centre to the village of Tarrafal.
Fishing : From the village of Tarrafal local men will take you
fishing. Some boats are modern with seats and harnesses. Dolphins will sometimes
trail the vessels, especially in October.
Bird Watching : The small island of Raso is served only by local
fishing boats from Tarrafal on the island of Sao Nicolau. Amongst other birds, the
island is the home to the Cape Verdian Lark, which is one of the rarest birds in
the world. There is nowhere to shelter on the island of Raso. It is essential that
you take water and food for your visit to the island.
Further Information - Getting There
Region Information - Boavista
| Fogo | Maio | Sal
| Santa Antao |
Santiago |
Sao Nicolau | Sao Vicente