Praia (Santiago) - General Info
Description:
This is the largest of the Cape Verde islands and Praia is the capital of the country. The mountains here cause a much higher rainfall than in many of the other islands and it is, therefore, much greener with areas of rain forest. It is an island worth exploring.
Entrance Notes or Cautions:
Security
This island has a very bad reputation for theft and Noonsite has always recommended skippers organize security on board whilst anchored here. Following four separate reports of armed boardings and robbery in November 2017 (see reports) another cruising boat was boarded, held at knifepoint and robbed here in January 2020. Spending the night is not recommended in this port and if a visit is absolutely necessary, visit with caution and secure your boat and valuables accordingly.
Also, beware pickpockets ashore working in teams.
Position:
14° 54.23′ N, 23° 30.2’W (harbor entrance)
Read and Post Related Comments
If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at editor@noonsite.com. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).
Next Section: Profile: Clearance
Related to following destinations: Cape Verdes, Praia (Santiago), Southern(Sotavento) Group
Port Navigation
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.comMain Ports - Cape Verdes
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.com
Quinto and Pinto are not in business anymore. Reading the stories we did not anchor but we approached the fisher wharf and were welcomed. Eur 17/day. Water will be provided by hose and gas station just outside. Very close to airport. Police helpful with procedure, also visible in the port and Fish market and no money asked. There are cameras and a guard. It is however very noisy with fishermen walking over the boat is yours is first in the row. The Busy fish market is next to quay. We felt safe but if you are a yachtsman with a polished boat and not appreciate a busy wharf in business day and night, don’t go here.
21/03/19 Just spent two days in Praia. Dropped anchor near the fishing wharf. We had read about the concerns with security here so we’re planning to have a crewmember on board at all times. Two local guys made themselves know to us almost immediately. They are a father and son, Pinto and Quintino.
At first, we were a bit dubious but after chatting with them a while we began to realize they were the real deal. The upshot was we moved the boat beside their boat on the dock. The son Quintino has set up a chandlery service and is one of the nicest, honest young guys you can meet.
They are both interesting guys with lots of stories. They have two guard dogs who are friendly to yachties both woe betide any young local lads getting too close. If anyone is considering stopping in Praia I would highly recommend these guys. joselinopinto145@gmail.com is Quintino’s email. Wattsapp +2389983099
Philip on “capensis”
Oscar de schaetzen says:
Jan 19, 2019 01:34 PM
We went to Praia in Nov 2018 and we moored alongside a grey motor vessel in the fishing harbour – just at the port side when you enter the small harbour.
This grey motor vessel is used as a mechanical workshop and Pinto and his son Quintino live onboard. They are very helpful and trustworthy.
When you leave your boat, they’ll keep an eye on it and thanks to them we felt very safe even though Praia has a very bad reputation.
Here are there contact details : Quintino & Pinto, port of Praia, mail : joselinopinto145@gmail.com, WhatsApp : +238 9983 099
If you are stopping in Praia then it is now possible to tie alongside the first boat on the left as you enter the fishing harbour (14°55.036’N 23°30.107’W) We were told about it by fellow cruisers and the Policia Maritima told us we should stay there.
The boats are owned by Quintino and his father Pinto. They met us, took our lines, and were very friendly and helpful. They can be contacted on WhatsApp +238 9983099. They can help with repairs and provide good local information.
The fishing harbour has a guard at night and we felt safe here the 3 times we stopped.
It is possible to anchor off the old jetty next to the Policia Maritima if all you want to do is check in or out of Santiago.
Cruisers report January 2018 that visiting yachts must now accept to have an armed security guard on board overnight, or, the Captain must sign a disclaimer that they have chosen not to have security on board at their own risk. It is unclear if there is any charge for this service.
Don’t go to Praia. We are currently with my sailing yacht in the bay of Praia and will leave today.
Yesterday our neighbour boat got robbed and the skipper tight inside to the mast. The other crew member got hosted by the robbers to sail with them in their dinghy with the stolen electronics to shore. Captain was able to untie himself and alarm the police at VHF 16.
Police was quick at site, able to catch one robber. We were with 3 boats on 12 nov 2017. Fortunately skipper and crew were not harmed. We already got warned by a local in SAL not to go to Praia.
We were there to have 1 crew member to disembark. We do not feel save here and move onwards to Brava. The robbed boat was from Norway attending the rally to Barbados. We feel sorry for these 2 sailors. Could have been us instead. Very bad experience.
We anchored here at the end of June 2017. We took the dinghy to the fuel jetty (14 54.81N, 023 30.13W) and turned right for a short walk to the gates of the port for immigration (14 54.79N 023 30.07W) -they were at the airport. Then took the dinghy to the Maritime Police (14 54.86N 023 30.64W) putting the dinghy on the beach as neither of the quays is suitable for dinghies.
They kept the ship’s papers and did not need anything else. They called immigration and arranged a time for them to be at the office so it might be better to go there first? The fuel was still 0.60Euro/L and easy to refuel. A short walk from the Maritime Police is the Telecom Building where you can get a SIM with 5GB for 13Euro and airtime for 8Euro.
They speak good English in there (Most people only speak Portuguese) They put me in touch with Clovis (GadaLomba) who acted as a guide and organised security (for a fee) I organised security as the only other boat in the anchorage had been broken into twice in the last week by people swimming out, breaking a substantial padlock and taking all electronics and money. The last time was in the 3hours between 6 pm and 9 pm.
This is despite being anchored in front of the Maritime Police. We anchored a long way out (14 54.75N 023 30.43W) and had a swimmer on our boat the very next day at 1 pm as we napped. He jumped off when he realised we were on board and was not a kid. We only stayed for 3 days. There was no charge to check out. Holding seemed to be good, Water was not clear but we swam. I would not use a watermaker in here.