Caravela Island

Caravela is one of the larger islands of the Bijagós, in the northern part of the archipelago with long beaches on its ocean side, mangrove on the sheltered channels and Bijagó villages inland among the palms. It sees far fewer visitors than Bubaque and Rubane because it is further out and harder to reach. Fishing camps operate seasonally and the birdlife on the flats is heavy. The Bijagós holds around eighty eight islands in total, of which only around twenty are permanently inhabited.

What you actually see

• The ocean beaches - long sand on the seaward side of the island.
• The mangrove channels - the sheltered water behind the island.
• The Bijagó villages - the settlements inland among the palms.
• The shorebirds - the flocks working the mudflats around it.

When to go

November to May is the dry season and the practical window. The rains from June make boat travel difficult. Tides govern access to the channels.

Honest expectations

Getting there takes several hours by boat and arrangements must be made in advance. There is no accommodation beyond seasonal camps and village arrangements. Supplies must be carried.

Nearby

Urok is north, and Kere is south.