Mindelo (Sao Vicente) - Docking

This harbor offers good shelter from the NW through E to S and partial protection (with a fetch of up to 2M) from S around to W. Very occasionally a westerly swell can set in and this can be a problem both at anchor and in the marina.

Arriving at Night

There are new green channel markers which means your approach at night gets so much easier. Simply go to any of the green channel markers and anchor East /or South East of them. You do not need to go into the big anchorage field, you can do that at light of day. East to the green buoys you are away from ferries and from wrecks.

Anchoring

You may anchor here for free, but be aware that holding can be patchy as there are areas of volcanic gravel.

Yachts can anchor beyond the commercial port, in the northern part of the bay. Prevailing winds are from the NE (the trade winds), Force 3 to 5, and are pretty much constant. The harbor is subject to strong gusts, especially in winter, so make sure the anchor is well dug in. (The old steel motor yacht which previously provided a mooring is no longer there).

Getting Ashore

The marina allows anchored yachts to land and leaves tenders at their floating bar for a charge of 4 Euros a day. The marina has 24-hour security.

It is possible to drop off garbage outside the marina, in the small building just before you get to the street. Ask one of the marina staff to unlock it for you - there is a nominal charge. Locals may offer to dispose of garbage for a small fee, however, be cautious in accepting this help as there is a problem in Mindelo with garbage being dumped out of sight, not in the proper receptacles.

Another option is to ask permission to leave the dinghy at the fishing/diving club pontoon to the left of the marina near the ferry terminal - normally not a problem if you have a drink and some food at their bar. It may also be possible to leave garbage here.

It is not recommended to leave your dinghy unattended at the city beach of Mindelo (as in many other cities around the world).

Security:

Since the 2023/24 season, there have been some anchored boats that have suffered robberies, and there are more beggars in the street. Marina Mindelo, keen to give yacht owners peace of mind, have collaborated closely with the local authorities and improved security, including increased patrols, both on land and on the water, upgraded surveillance systems and additional cameras. With regular communication between the marina and law enforcement, response times have improved, and incidents are swiftly managed.

They remind yacht owners that securing valuables, locking entrances, and being mindful of surroundings remain essential, as is communicating any safety concerns to marina staff and local authorities.

Exercise caution if you contract someone to look after your boat or dinghy while you are away, this is not always a guarantee for safe anchorage. Locals swim in the bay where yachts are anchored and there have been incidents of stolen dinghies at the beach or from yachts that were being looked after by local watchmen.

The only guaranteed safe place to leave a dinghy is at the designated dinghy pontoon in the marina. However, local police recommended not leaving your dinghy on the pontoon or beach at night.

At anchor, it is advisable to lift and securely lock your dinghy every night and did not leave anything laying around that could be tempting for passing traffic.

Marina Mindelo:

Marina Mindelo provides slightly better shelter than the anchorage and has 24-hour security. Should a W swell set in during your stay here, be prepared with springs and rubber guards for mooring lines.

Pontoons are anchored to the seabed without fingers. Instead, there are mooring buoys for trying to. The floating pontoons run roughly from NW to SE, so make sure that your berth is on the SW-side of the pontoons so will be blown off the pontoon. There is always some swell here and movement of the pontoons.

Daily rates are comparable to the Mediterranean, however, long-term discounts are much more economical than in the Canary Islands and Europe. See report from SV Kandu for more detail.

Provisions & Water:

Provisioning has improved considerably here and it is now possible to get a wide range of meats, fresh fish, organic vegetables and even gluten free and specialist products at some of the new supermarkets.

Water is a scarce commodity here. The electricity company is also responsible for the water supply on the island. They use the desalinization process to get sweet water, meaning that every liter is produced by diesel and consequently limited, and expensive.

Water at the marina is approx. 2 Euros for 100 litres. Berth holders are given an access card.

Last updated:  January 2025