We launch into 2025 with a taste of island life on Ilha do Sal, Cape Verde, as CA member Julia Schaefer shares insights from her recent visit.
Julia’s comprehensive report about the fishing village and port of Palmeira compliments the details available on the CAptain’s Mate location ‘overview’ and ‘info’ categories. Situated on the west coast of Ilha do Sal, 4 km from the island’s capital Espargos, Palmeira is an ideal port of entry to Cape Verde. As well as a fishing village it is the island’s main port, so gets busy.
The CAptain’s Mate ‘overview’ information advises that the anchorage is extremely well protected from the prevailing swell, which makes it popular with local boats. Skippers should be aware that holding is patchy, so persistence may be needed to keep trying if at first the anchor drags. Be cautious to stay clear of the deep-water channel as the inner breakwater is surprisingly busy with shipping.
In her CAptain’s Mate report, Julia Schaefer shares, "Anchored in sand over mud just outside line of mooring buoys. Excellent holding in gusts >30kn from NE.
"Must recommend Rotterdam restaurant: popular with locals and visitors, excellent food and prices and WiFi. Also a barbecue with music every Sunday.
Julia describes Palmeria as, "A basic harbour village, reasonably safe. Rubbish dump up the road from the school, utility water from one of the many shops."
On your arrival to Palmeira, Julia adds, "Watch out for regular shipping (not all on AIS) and follow buoyed channel into anchorage. Not a recommended nighttime arrival as busy anchorage with many bobbers and floating rope."
Onsite or nearby facilities include showers, toilet and rubbish, along with the offices for Port Officials. There are nearby supermarkets, including fish market and bakery, with a wider choice in Espargos.
Explore more of the Cape Verde, with ten locations currently featured on CAptain’s Mate.
About CAptain’s Mate
CAptain’s Mate was voted as the 'Equipment Innovation of the Year' at the 2022 British Yachting Awards. Available on iOS, Android and web, the exclusive to members app provides an unrivalled breadth of information and cruising reports covering 7,500+ locations in 100+ countries around the world. It features up to date, accurate and trusted location data on anchorages, marinas, ports, harbours, boatyards along with their facilities and amenities.
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CAptain’s Mate of the Month locations
Each month we feature a CAptain’s Mate location to inspire your cruising adventures and display the vast depth of information on the app. Locations in 2024 featured:
- January - Prickly Bay - Grenada
- February - Darsena dell Orologio - Italy
- March - Porto Santo - Madeira
- April - St Helier - Jersey
- May - Aalborg Lystbaadehavn - Denmark
- June - Il-Hofra I-Kbira - Malta
- July - Rotterdam - The Netherlands
- August - Les Iles de Glénan - France
- September - Porth Cressa, Isles of Scilly - UK
- October - Saltstone Anchorage, Salcombe, UK
- November - Nazaré, Portugal
- December - La Linea, Spain
7 January 2025