SANTO ANTAO ISLAND
The island of Santo Antao, which in Portuguese means 'Saint Anthony', is the most northern and the most westerly of all islands. It is located west of Sao Vicente and separated from it by the channel called Canal de Sao Vicente. Santo Antao is the second largest island of the archipelago with a surface area of 779 Km2 and a population of around 50,000 inhabitants; it's 24 km long from north to south at its widest point and 43 km wide.
Like the other islands, Santo Antao is volcanic in origin; its highest point, Tope de Coroa (1,979m), is located in the west. Santo Antao's mountain range spreads from the southwest to the northeast, with the northeast region being the more fertile area of the island; its humid climate, due to the relatively normal precipitation, allows for trees like the eucalyptus, the cypress, and the pine tree. The rest of Santo Antao is dry and arid with the exception of the area around Tarrafal in the southwest. The coastline is very attractive, in the north, parts have been worn away by the northeast winds and the rough seas.
VISIT SANTO ANTAO FOR:
- Hiking the many ribeiras ( dry riverbeds).
- The beautiful drives over the ridges and along the ribeira floors for spectacular scenic views.
Photos sourced from www.caboverde.com. Santo Antao tipical scenery.
HISTORY
The island was discovered by Diogo Afonso on the 17th of January,1462, but it remained practically uninhabited until 1548. Santo Antao was fertile but mountainous and inaccessible and it was not until roads were built, linking Ponta do Sol to Ribeira Grande in the north and Porto Novo in the south, that things started to happen.
In 1732 Ribeira Grande achieved the status of vila (city), and 120 years later Santo Antao was declared capital of the Barlavento islands for being the richest, most populated and least malarial of the northern islands at this time. Unfortunately, this changed in 1934 when the seat of the government moved to Sao Vicente.
At present the island's economy is based on agriculture, fishing and the extraction of pozzolana (a volcanic dust, first discovered in the ltalian town of Pozzuoli, used in cement making). The bottling and commercialization of natural mineral water at Vale de Paul, the marketing of grogue and hiking turism are all initiatives being developed.
FESTIVALS
The most important festival is Sao Joao Baptista festival on the 24th of June, characterized by a 20km procession of the cross from the mountains to Porto Novo accompanied by the sound of loud drums. Once in Porto Novo, the party starts and will last for an entire week.
AT THE AIRPORT & TRANSPORT INFORMATION
By Air
There is an airport at Ponta do Sol, in the northeastern part of the island, but unfortunately at present there are no scheduled flights to Santo Antao due to the dangers posed by strong crosswinds. If the service resume, a taxi ride to Ribeira Grande from the airport will take approx. 20 minutes.
By Ferry or Hydrofoil
The port is in the town of Porto Novo.
Regular ferry connection between Sao Vicente and Santo Antao
- There is a regular ferry, Mar d'Canal operated by Naviera Armas, travelling between Porto Novo in Santo Antao and Mindelo in Sao Vicente every day.
It leaves Porto Novo at 10am and at 5pm (service may be reduced on weekends) and cost 600$ one way, cars can be transported for 2,500$.
- Another smaller ferry, Ribeira de Paul, ply the same route but the voyage might be a little bit rougher.
The crossing lasts one hour and tickets can be obtained from two separate offices representing the two different ferry's' companies on the road out of the port.
See 'Getting Around' Main Page for routes and timetables between Santo Antao and other islands by hydrofoil.
Getting Around Santo Antao
- ALUGUERS Aluguers travel up and down the road between Ribeira Grande and Porto Novo all day for around 200$. They also travel regularly between Ribeira Grande and Ponta do Sol.
- TAXIS Taxis exist in the form of chartered aluguers.
- CAR RENTAL For more freedom to see the island, rent a car. There are few car hire operators available in Porto Novo.
ACTIVITIES
Excursions
Examples of excursions offered by local tour operators include: hiking with guides, individually tailored hikes and fishing trips. ALSATOUR and DANY CARECA are tour operators in Ponta do Sol.
Hiking
Hiking the ribeiras is the main activity in Santo Antao. These walks are almost entirely on cobbled roads which allow you to mix public transport with the hikes.
The west of the island is lonely and difficult to reach, it requires more organisation to explore than the equally beautiful northeast. However, there is a good map of Santo Antao and we recommend you to use local guides to avoid possible hidden dangers (landslides, lost path, sudden cliffs).
Photo sourced from Pagina Oficial do Governo de Cabo Verde.
PLACES TO STAY OR VISIT
RIBEIRA GRANDE
Ribeira Grande, also known as Povoacao, is located in the northeastern part of the island and is linked by road to the towns of Ponta do Sol to the west, Paul down the coast to the east and Porto Novo in the south. Its cobbled streets are squeezed between the cliffs and the sea and pour over the mouths of the two ribeiras: Ribeira de Torre and Ribeira Grande.
For 'Where to Stay' see Accomodation section or our Book Your Holiday page.
USEFUL NUMBERS & INFORMATION
Hospital: On the main Porto Novo road, 221 1130 Pharmacy: Close to the hospital
Police: 221 1132 Bank: a few, including Caixa Economica
PONTA DO SOL
Ponta do Sol is a pretty small fishing town, built on a breezy peninsula, situated in the northeastern part of the island. The town, with its hotels and bars, has been attracting more and more tourists.
How to get to Ponta do Sol
From Ponta do Sol to Ribeira Grande aluguers leave from the main square, it is a 20-minute journey and costs around 100$. From Ribeira Grande to Ponta do Sol they leave from the junction of the ponta do Sol road with town. Chartered aluguers are also available for other destinations.
For 'Where to Stay' see Accomodation section or our Book Your Holiday page.
USEFUL NUMBERS & INFORMATION
Hospital: 225 1130 Police: 225 1132
PORTO NOVO
Porto Novo, which in Portuguese means 'New Port', is located in the south of the island and is linked by road to the towns of Ribeira Grande in the north and Tarrafal to the west.
It has new buildings, pretty gardens and promenades overlooking the channel; from here you can also see the many lights illuminating Mindelo harbour in Sao Vicente.
There are two beaches: one in town and one in Escurralete, 25-minutes walk to the east.
How to get to Porto Novo
From Porto Novo to Ribeira Grande aluguers leave from the port, from Ribeira Grande to Porto Novo they leave from the main street.
For 'Where to Stay' see Accomodation section or our Book Your Holiday page.
Photos sourced from Pagina Oficial do Governo de Cabo Verde. Porto Novo.
USEFUL NUMBERS & INFORMATION
Hospital: On the main road, 222 1130 Pharmacy: 222 1130
Police: 222 1132 Bank: On the main road
TARRAFAL DE MONTE TRIGO
Tarrafal de Monte Trigo, also known as only Tarrafal, is located on the western coast of the island. It is a quite isolated place due to its tough accessibility. From here you can do some hiking and see Monte Trigo to the north up the coast. There is also a black sand beach which is supposed to have healing powers.
How to get to Tarrafal
There are only a couple of aluguers per day. From Porto Novo to Tarrafal aluguers leave at around midday, from Tarrafal to Porto Novo they leave early in the morning. Chartered aluguers are also available from Porto Novo.
For 'Where to Stay' see Accomodation section or our Book Your Holiday page.
Photos sourced from Pagina Oficial do Governo de Cabo Verde. Porto Novo.
Photos sourced from Pagina Oficial do Governo de Cabo Verde. Porto Novo.
PAUL
The town of Paul is located on the northeastern coast of the island. It is surrounded by valleys of sugarcane and bananas.
It is famous for its grogue production (the local rum) with a trapiche, a large sugarcane juice- extractor machine, operated by oxen. This drink constitutes an important part of Cape Verdean culture to the extent that the process of production proved to be a rich source of inspiration for music.
How to get to Paul
You can reach Paul from Ribeira Grande by aluguer.
For 'Where to Stay' see Accomodation section or our Book Your Holiday page.
USEFUL NUMBERS & INFORMATION
Health Centre: In the main square, 223 1130 Pharmacy: On the main road, 223 1972
Police: 223 1292
Photos sourced from www.caboverde.com. The town of Paul.
A 'Trapiche' machine for the production of grogue.
- The fishing town of Pontinha de Janela in the southeast, where if you walk up the lighthouse, you can admire the beautiful view over the entire northeastern coast of Santo Antao, over to Sao Vicente, Santa Luzia and Sao Nicolau.
- The inscribed rock in Ribeira do Penedo in the southeast, a large rock which carries enigmatic inscriptions and a cross and the pretty village of Cha de Igreja, west of Ponta do Sol.
Photos sourced from www.paulbelezanatural.com. LEFT: Ribeira do Penedo. RIGHT: Inscribed Rock.