Santa Maria (Sal) : Profile

Clearance

Usually customs and immigration formalities are completed at the international airport. Palmeira has a sheltered anchorage. One should fly the Q flag and the captain should check in with the police in Palmeira. The ship's papers will be held until departure from Madeira.

Recent reports (2005-2006) are of theft from yachts and stolen dinghies so one should take the usual precautions. Yachts can clear here and move to one of the smaller islands where security is less of an issue.

Docking

The best anchorage is in Baia da Palmeira at 16deg 45'N, 22deg 59.2'W in about 4m of water over thin sand (not a good anchorage in a strong southerly). Not advisable to enter at night because of the various wrecks, and also the lighthouse is unlikely to be working.

Related Reports

Caribbean East to Southern Brazil (15 May 2008)

Cruising Report On Morocco & Atlantic Islands September 2005 - January 2006 (08 Sep 2006)

Advice On West African Route (14 Feb 2006)

Atlantic Islands Guide (10 Feb 2006)

Praia Cape Verdes Cruising Report (17 Mar 2005)

Cape Verdes Cruising Update February 2004 (01 Mar 2004)

Related News

Piracy attempt NW of Cape Verde Islands (11 Jun 2007)

Thefts And Yacht Boarding A Growing Problem In Cape Verdes (05 Apr 2006)

NEW! Las Palmas De Gran Canaria: Port Of The Month (01 Dec 2005)

Stolen Catamaran NAUTITECH 395 (02 Nov 2005)

Canaries Push For Whales & Dolphin Mega Reserve (17 Oct 2005)