BRAVA ISLAND
The island of Brava, situated about 20km west of the island of Fogo, is volcanic in origin. It is the smallest inhabited island of Cape Verde, its surface is only 64 km2 with a population of around 7,000 inhabitants. The island is just 10km wide. Its highest point is Monte Fontainhas, at 976m is located in the middle of the island.
The island is very mountainous, the deep and lush valley of Faja d'Agua in the west contrasts with the few peaks that rise in the middle and south of Brava; the coastline is very rugged. Brava is the dampest and the greenest of all the islands and its abundance of flowers makes it known as 'Ilha das flores', which means Island of Flowers. There are two uninhabited islands north of Brava, Ilheu Grande and Ilheu de Cima which form The Ilheus do Rombo. The capital of Brava is Vila Nova Sintra, in the north.
VISIT BRAVA FOR:
- Walking and Relaxing.
HISTORY
Brava was discovered in 1462 and settlers, which included many fishermen from Madeira and the Azores, arrived in 1573. Its population grew enormously after 1680, when the people of Fogo fled their own island due to the disastrous volcanic eruption of the Pico de Fogo. By the end of the 17th century, Brava was a large and developed enough island to attract pirate attacks, which continued until the 18th century.
Towards the end of the 18th century, whaling ships made their first appearence. They came from New Bedford and Rhode Island and they used Brava as a resupplying and recruiting point. Some Cape Verdeans used the whaling ships as stepping stone to jobs and new lives in the United States of America; and just like that the great emigration of Cape Verdeans to the USA started. It is not by chance that on the island, English is more widely spoken and American products can be seen around.
By the end of the 19th century, Brava was prosperous, income increased as American emigrants sent their money home and population expanded. When the depression came, remittances from abroad slowed down and completely stopped with the beginning of the World War II. At the same time drought hit the island badly causing famine and death and in 1982 Hurricane Beryl proved devastating for the island.
FESTIVALS
The most important festival is The Festival of Sao Joao held on the 24th of June, for which many emigrants return.
AT THE AIRPORT & TRANSPORT INFORMATION
Brava is the only island in Cape Verde without an active airport. The hurricane Beryl in 1982, which destroyed many infrastructures, and strong crosswinds were mentioned as the main reasons to discontinue the flight operations.
By Ferry or Hydrofoil see 'Getting Around' Main Page for routes and timetables between the islands.
The main port is Furna, on the northeastern coast. Faja d'Agua, on the northwestern coast, provides good anchorage for yachts and for boats, in case you decide to charter one through FOGO ADVENTURES in Fogo. (See Fogo Island page).
You can find chartered aluguers (taxis) and public aluguers to and from the port in Furna. Alternatively you can walk the 3km distance.
Getting Around Brava
- ALUGUERS AND CHARTERED ALUGUERS (TAXIS) Aluguers between Furna and Vila Nova Sintra cost around 200/300$, chartered aluguers will ask around 800/1,000$ for the same trip. Chartered aluguers between Vila Nova Sintra and Faja d'Agua charge around 1,500$ and from Vila Nova Sintra to Nossa Senhora do Monte around 1,000$.
- CAR RENTAL For more freedom to see the island rent a car.
ACTIVITIES
Excursions
For excursions in Brava, ask to the same tour organizers operating in Fogo: ECOTUR, DJA'R FOGO and FOGO ADVENTURES (from which you can charter a boat for trips to Brava).
Hiking
Hiking is the main activity in Brava. Several walks start and finish at Vila Nova Sintra.
Swimming
The best place to swim is in the lagoon between Faja d'Agua and the airport.
PLACES TO STAY OR VISIT
VILA NOVA SINTRA
Vila Nova Sintra, named after the town of Sintra in Portugal for the many similarities between them, is located on the northeastern part of the island of Brava and also serves as its capital.
It is a charming quiet town encircled by volcanic mountains with typical Portuguese-style houses covered in vegetation, abundant bougainvillea and gardens full of almond trees and jacaranda. The house of Eugenio Tavares, the famous poet and composer of the Morna, is at the top of the town; there is also a plaque dedicated to him in the town square.
For 'Where to Stay' see Accomodation section or our Book Your Holiday page.
USEFUL NUMBERS & INFORMATION
Hospital: very small, 285 1130 Pharmacy: 285 1223
Police: 285 1132 Bank: Banco Comercial do Atlantico.
Photos sourced from www.bravanews.com. TOP and ABOVE: Vila Nova Sintra town.
Photos sourced from www.bravanews.com. Eugenio Tavares plaque in the town square.
FAJA D'AGUA
Faja d'Agua, located on the northwestern coast, is a small village in very special location: a bay protected from the northeast winds at the foot of the mountain. This is where the whaling boats used to dock many years ago. There are not many things to do in the village but pleasant walks can be done from here towards the mountain while admiring the green surrounding area and local houses.
DO NOT MISS:
- The monument commemorating the passengers of the Mathilde, a whaler sloop that is believed to have gone down in rough weather near Bermuda while carrying many Cape Verdeans on its first clandestine voyage to the USA.
- A nearby lagoon where you can swim and a lovely sandy beach.
How to get to Faja d'Agua
Chartered aluguers between Vila Nova Sintra and Faja d'Agua charge around 1,500$ one way, from Furna around 2,000$ one way.
For 'Where to Stay' see Accomodation section or our Book Your Holiday page.
Photos sourced from www.bravanews.com. Faja d'Agua bay.
Photos sourced from www.bravanews.com. Faja d'Agua town.
FURNA
Furna is located to the north east of Vila Nova Sintra. It is the main port but the actual bay is only a few hundred meters in diameter. It is not a particularly attractive place to see. There is a church which overlooks the sea.
How to get to Furna
Aluguers between Furna and Vila Nova Sintra cost around 200/300$, chartered aluguers will ask around 800/1,000$ for the same trip. From Furna to Faja d'Agua the fare is around 2,000$.
Photo sourced from Pagina Oficial do Governo de Cabo Verde. Furna.
NOSSA SENHORA DO MONTE
Nossa Senhora do Monte is a typical mountain village that worths a visit.
How to get to Nossa Senhora do Monte
Chartered aluguers between Vila Nova Sintra and Nossa Senhora do Monte charge around 1,000$.
Photos sourced from www.bravanews.com. Nossa Senhora do Monte.
VINAGRE
The village of Vinagre gets its name from the mineral water which bubbles up here from below the mountains. You can admire the inside of the impressive old water tank to see how the water used to flow through a tunnel under the road and also taste it from an aperture in a wall.
THE ILHEUS DO ROMBO
The Ilheus do Rombo are a group of dry islets located about 8km north of Brava. They have rocky coastlines and hardly any vegetation.
- Ilheu Grande, situated in the west, is the biggest one with a surface of only 2 km2. - Ilheu de Cima, situated in the east, is the second biggest with a surface of 1.5 km2.
The other three islets are very tiny and include: Ilheu do Rei, Ilheu Sapado, Ilheu Luís Carneiro.
These islands have been nature reserves since 1990. You will probably want to see these islands if you are a birdwatcher: Ilheu de Cima is famous for its seabird colonies; bulwer's petrels are only known to breed on this island and on Raso Island to the west of Sao Nicolau island. The Madeiran storm petrels also only breed on these islands and on Branco and Raso.
You can camp on these islands but you need to take all equipment with you because there are no campsites. To get there try to find a passage with a fishing boat for a fee.
Bulwer's Petrel.