SAO NICOLAU ISLAND
The island of Sao Nicolau, which in Portuguese means 'Saint Nicholas' is located between the islands of Sao Vicente to the west and Sal to the east. The island is about 25km long from North to South at its widest point and 52km wide. It has a surface area of 343 km2 and a population of around 20,000 inhabitants.
Like the other islands, Sao Nicolau is volcanic in origin, barren and dry, but with a fertile and cultivated valley in the centre. Mountains dominate the east and west part of the island; Monte Gordo, at 1,312m, is Sao Nicolau highest peak. Stony plains cover the area around the western coast. Ribeira Brava is Sao Nicolau's capital.
VISIT SAO NICOLAU FOR:
- Long solitary walks.
- Fishing with the locals.
- The black sandy beaches of Tarrafal, thought to have healing power.
Photos sourced www.caboverde.com. Sao Nicolau scenery.
HISTORY
The island was discovered on the 6th of December 1461, but it remained practically uninhabited until the beginning of the 17th century. By 1731 there were only 260 inhabitants. Sao Nicolau was an easy target for pirate attacks, even after the people moved from their coastal settlement to Ribeira Brava, inland. It was not until a fortress was built in 1818 in Preguica in the Baia de Sao Jorge (access to land from the sea was through the Port of Preguica) that better security was established and people started to come to the island.
In 1866, the first Cape Verdean seminary was born. The school attached to the seminary blossomed and many children were able to study a wide varierty of subjects preparing them for careers in either the Church or the Portuguese civil service. It became the centre of evangelisation, spreading the Roman Catholic faith throughout Cape Verde and Western Africa. Its teachings also influenced the next generations and played an important role in the Cape Verdean culture. The most prominent example is Amilcar Cabral, leader of the revolution and indipendence of Cape Verde; his father was a seminary educated teacher who fought for better conditions for Cape Verde.
When the Catholic Church separated from the state in Portugal in 1911, the school attached to the seminary in Sao Nicolau got relocated in Mindelo. The seminary eventually closed in 1931. Since then merciless droughts led to emigration.
FESTIVALS
The most important festivals are the Carnival in February and Pascoela in April, celebrated in Faja, which includes a mass followed by processions, games and horse races.
AT THE AIRPORT & TRANSPORT INFORMATION
The airport is located southeast of Ribeira Brava, the island's capital. To contact the airport: + 238 235 1313.
Internal Flights
There are regular but infrequent domestic flights with TACV Airlines between Sao Nicolau and - Santiago, - Sal, - Sao Vicente.
From The Airport
Taxis are available from the airport to Ribeira Brava from around 600$, aluguers will charge around 150$.
By Ferry or Hydrofoil see 'Getting Around' Main Page for routes and timetables between the islands.
The main port is Tarrafal, on the west coast. Preguica, in the southwestern part of the Baia de Sao Jorge, is more exposed.
Getting Around Sao Nicolau
- ALUGUERS Aluguers travel up and down the road between Ribeira Brava and Tarrafal all day for around 200$. They also travel from Ribeira Brava as far as Juncalinho in the east and from Tarrafal up along the coast. Generally aluguers leave Ribeira Brava and Tarrafal for their journey out of town around midday.
- TAXIS A taxi ride or chartered aluguer from Ribeira Brava to Faja costs around 1,300$, to Preguica around 800$ and to Tarrafal 2,000$.
- CAR RENTAL For more freedom to see the island, rent a car; a jeep will be a better option if you want to explore places accessed by dirt tracks.
ACTIVITIES
Hiking
The mountainous interior of Sao Nicolau provides many satisfying walks. The road, which crosses the centre of the walking area in the shape of a horseshoe, allow you to mix public transport with hikes.
Fishing
Fishing is quite popular; try to catch the Blue Marlin, there is plenty around.
PLACES TO STAY OR VISIT
RIBEIRA BRAVA
Ribeira Brava is Sao Nicolau's capital and the business centre for the surrounding areas. It is a pretty town with narrow streets full of colourful houses, lovely parks and gardens, well supplied shops and steep hills with beautiful views.
The town is sandwiched between the steep sides of a ribeira (dry riverbed), which towers above and cuts the town in two. Ribeira Brava was for many years the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in Cape Verde.
For 'Where to Stay' see Accomodation section or our Book Your Holiday page.
USEFUL NUMBERS & INFORMATION
Hospital: On the hill, 235 1130 Pharmacy: 235 1227
Police: 235 1152 Bank: Banco Comercial do Atlantico
DO NOT MISS:
- On the main square lies the Cathedral Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Rosario and the bust of Dr. Julio Jose Dias, the philanthropist who donated his big house which became the first seminary in the archipelago.
- The famous seminary-high school, the Liceu de Sao Nicolau, which for many years was the center of higher education in Cape Verde.
Photos sourced from www.caboverde.com. Ribeira Brava, RIGHT: Cathedral Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Rosario.
Photos sourced from www.caboverde.com. Ribeira Brava, RIGHT: Cathedral Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Rosario.
TARRAFAL
Tarrafal is the port town located on the southwest coast of the island. The town itself is not very interesting but its black sandy beaches are.
The black sand, rich in iodine and titanium, is thought to have healing power, and is sought after by those suffering from arthritis. Sufferers apply a mixture of seaweed and sand to alleviate the pain or simply to smooth away fatigue; some bury themselves in the sand and lie there.
South of Tarrafal there is the cove and beach of Baixo Rocha.
For 'Where to Stay' see Accomodation section or our Book Your Holiday page.
USEFUL NUMBERS & INFORMATION
Hospital: 236 1130 Police: 236 1132 Bank: Banco Comercial do Atlantico
Preguica is a fishing port 8 km southeast of Ribeira Brava. The village has pretty houses, an old church and pier, where boats with cargo from Mindelo dock and a stunning view of the volcano. On the other side of the village you can see the Portuguese fort built in 1818. The beach of Galés is an excellent spot to stop and have a swim.
How to get to Preguica
Aluguers travel from Ribeira Brava to Preguica and back very often for around 250$.
CARRICAL
Carrical is a pretty village on the southeastern coast, is connected to Preguica by boat or reached by road from Juncalinho, in the northeast. There is a pretty beach, coves and caves to explore. It is interesting to see the canning factory, where tunas are boiled in huge pans and canned in tins.
RIBEIRA DA PRATA
Ribeira da Prata is found northwest of Ribeira Brava. Most people come here to visit 'Rocha Escrita', which means inscripted rock. It is a rock on which erosion has revealed a series of darker lines resembling undecipherable letters or words. It is thought, they were left by Cape Verde's first visitors, before the Portuguese arrived. Photo sourced from www.caboverde.com. 'Rocha Escrita'.
RASO AND BRANCO ISLANDS
Raso and Branco are two small uninhabited islets west of Sao Nicolau.
- Raso is the biggest one with a surface of 7 km2 and is home of the Raso lark, a rare bird which can only be found here. It is considered endangered as there are only 250 left.
- Branco has a surface of 3 km2 and is completely covered in guano. It is an important breeding site for seabirds.
Both islands were home of the Cape Verde giant skint until 1940. The giant gecko still lives in cliffs holes on both islands.
Raso Lark.
PREGUICA