Baia das Gatas

Baía das Gatas is a bay on São Vicente's northeastern coast enclosed by a natural lava reef that breaks the swell and leaves a calm lagoon inside, which makes it one of the safer swimming places on the island. It is best known for its music festival, held around the August full moon since 1984, when tens of thousands of people camp on the shore for several nights of Cape Verdean and international music.

Background

The village takes its name from the bay it stands on, on the east coast of São Vicente, 8 km east of Mindelo, the island capital, and 4 km east of Salamansa. The Portuguese navigator Diogo Afonso came upon the bay, the island and the whole archipelago in 1462. On that voyage he drew a map that was the first to record São Vicente and Baía das Gatas, along with the Portuguese island of Madeira, the Cape Verdean islands of Brava, São Nicolau and Santo Antão, and the islets of Branco and Razo.

Source: Wikipedia, "Baía das Gatas"

What to look for

• The lava reef - the natural barrier that shelters the bay.
• The lagoon - calm water inside the reef, safe for swimming.
• The August festival - the full-moon music festival running since 1984.
• The camping shore - the ground behind the beach used during the festival.

When to go

November to June is the dry season for quiet swimming. The festival falls around the August full moon and transforms the place. Outside the festival the bay is largely empty.

Before you go

Facilities are minimal outside festival time. During the festival the site is crowded, loud and the infrastructure is stretched. Swimming outside the reef is dangerous.

Nearby

Calhau is southeast, and Mindelo is southwest.