Luxury Sailing in the Cape Verde Islands

YOUR SAILING AREA

Cape Verde

Cape Verde is a tropical paradise that is famous for its warm climate, beautiful flowers, scrumptious cuisine, and excellent sailing opportunities. The archipelago consists of ten magnificent islands, each with its unique character. This particular voyage with Chronos concentrates on four islands, namely São Vincente, Boa Vista, Sal, and Santo Antão.

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Cape Verde Sailing

You’ll join Chronos in the heart of the Cape Verde islands in the vibrant city of Mindelo on the island of São Vincente. One of the larger towns across the islands, Mindelo gives good international transport links and is considered the cultural hub of the archipelago.

Our next island stop will depend on the wind but could see Chronos sailing to Santo Antão, considered to be the most beautiful island of the archipelago. With rugged luscious mountains and local villages seemingly suspended into the cliffs, it is considered the most green and fertile of the islands.

The more popular and visited island of Boa Vista is a contrast to São Nicolau both in landscape and atmosphere. Although attracting more tourists, Boa Vista is home to over 55km of dazzling sandy beaches and is well known for its shifting dunes. Further inland, the island has an almost lunar-like landscape with rock-filled vistas and ancient ruins in the desert. Snorkelling here is also a delight with tropical fish, bright coral and mysterious shipwrecks along the coast. Humpback whales frequent the water here between the islands and can often be spotted between February to May.

The island of Sal sits at the most Easterly point of the archipelago and is a beach lovers’ paradise. Golden sands lapped by azure blue waters give a stark contrast as you wander further inland where more volcanic, lunar-like landscapes await.

Read more about sailing in Cape Verde here.

All voyages for Chronos

Chronos

Guest berths: 26 Rig: Bermudan Ketch

Our luxury sailing yacht Chronos was built and registered in Bodrum, Turkey but spends her days sailing the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Chronos was purpose-built as a charter vessel in 2013, with a two-masted, 54m staysail ketch rig.

Designed by Klaus Röder who based his design on a classic yacht whilst keeping up with the modern-day ketch; Chronos has been built for performance sailing and guest comfort.

Built with luxury in mind, the outline on deck is of teak and mahogany with plenty of space to sun-bath, read a book and enjoy the views. All the sails are electronically retractable, so no need to learn the ropes here. (The crew are, however, more than happy for guests to get involved with the operating and sailing of Chronos as much as they would like!)

An admiralty ladder provides the perfect place to jump off into the warm Caribbean waters, have a swim and climb back aboard with ease. Chronos also offers her guests the options of using her water skiing, wake-board, tube riding, kneeboard, banana boat, kayak and snorkelling & dive equipment and even a sail dinghy (QubaRS)

The deckhouse offers its very own small bar whilst below decks offers still more space to relax with a saloon with a plasma TV! Her private cabins, offering both double and single beds, all have air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms.

The professional crew consists of the Skipper, first mate, mechanic, bosun, cook and 4 stewards, so you will most certainly be looked after during your time aboard Chronos.

Read more about what to expect from life on board Chronos here >

Deck plan

Life on board 

Our sailing holidays on board Chronos are ones of luxury, style and comfort while exploring sunshine destinations and unforgettable locations. A purpose built charter vessel, Chronos was designed with the elegant sailing lines of a traditional classic boat but has been paired with all the comforts and luxuries of a modern yacht. 

Authentic Sailing Fun

Sailing with Chronos is certainly one of comfort and relaxation. Think of a boutique, intimate, classic sailing experience where nothing is too much trouble. Her dedicated and professional crew is highly trained and well-versed in smooth sailing operations. 

She has an impressive sail area, and her rig is electronically operated with retractable sails, so there is no need to “learn the ropes” here! That being said, there are still traditional pin and tails if guests want to taste authentic sailing. Her crew are always on hand and happy to discuss the sailing operations with guests. 

Although there is less focus on the “hands-on” sailing of Chronos, the Captain and crew offer interesting sailing talks and information briefs for guests during the voyage. Learn about the history of the boat and its sailing terms and even take a tour of the engine room if you fancy! Understanding these elegant classic vessels and feeling their power with the wind is truly an unforgettable experience.

Sleeping and Relaxation

All the areas on Chronos are meticulously considered, with guest comfort being the top priority in the design. The boat boasts an abundance of luxurious features, including spacious saloons, private ensuite cabins adorned with tropical wood, and sweeping decks with ample sun lounging areas.

The spacious cabins have ample luggage storage, full-size domestic showers, and air conditioning units. The beds are versatile and can be arranged as per the guest’s requirement, whether it is a double bed, twin sharing, or a three-bed family cabin. The ticket price includes all the bedding and towels per person. Each cabin is named after the winds of the sea and is assigned a matching swim towel set for the guests. If you happen to leave your swim towel on the deck, the crew will return it to your cabin once it is dry. 

Daily cabin service is also part of the offering. A crew member will make your bed and freshen up your bathroom every day, and if you want a towel change or full cabin clean, just leave the relevant sign on the cabin door! 

Eating and Entertainment

Although the day is punctuated by meal times, you certainly don’t feel like you’re running on a schedule. The relaxed nature of both the boat and the crew gives a perfect balance. 

Depending on the voyage location, the daily routine can change and is flexible, depending on the wishes of the group. Perhaps sit back and relax as the crew sets sails to another remote anchorage to enjoy a freshly cooked lunch and the onboard water toys! Or spend the morning swimming in a secluded bay or exploring an ancient port city before setting sail to a new location. 

Start the day with a rich buffet-style breakfast, on to a light 2-course lunch at noon, and coffee, tea and cake in the afternoon. Finish the day with a freshly cooked 3-course dinner aboard, and on the final night of the voyage, enjoy an authentic Captain’s dinner. For every voyage on Chronos, guests enjoy a meal ashore at their own expense to really immerse themselves in to the local culture and cuisine. Guests tend to go off in their groups, but sometimes the crew can join in if guests are unsure of the best spots!

Depending on the group’s mood, the crew can arrange some light-hearted entertainment, too—from local musicians over dinner to a friendly onboard music quiz (which is always amusing with international guests!) or even a wine-tasting session (at an extra cost).

Water-toys

For water lovers with a sense of adventure, Chronos offers a multitude of watersport activities and equipment. Stand-up paddleboards and adult-size snorkelling equipment are free for guests to use. Waterskiing, wakeboarding, banana boating, and tube riding are all chargeable once on board.

Chronos offers this at a moderate price and suggests an average of 10% of the voyage price to serve as a guide for consumption. The onboard currency is EUROS, and guests can open an onboard account, which can be paid at the end of their voyage.

Kit List

We recommend a travelling light principal with lots of lightweight, easy-drying layers. Below is a list of recommended items, these are not mandatory and those who have sailed before may have their preferences! We recommend you bring a foldable bag or suitcase since hard cases are difficult to store in the cabins.

• Flight tickets
• Identification cards: Personal ID card and/or passport, driver’s license recommended
• Money: Cash, credit card
• Personal medicines
• Telephone card, mobile phone (please make sure your phone is set up for international roaming)
• Sun protection gel, after-sun/sunburn lotion, sunhat or equivalent
• Glasses, sunglasses
• Your favourite book!

CLOTHING

• Swimwear
• T-shirts, polo shirts, blouses and dress shirts (also long-sleeved options)
• Long trousers for the journey and excursions to the shore, one or two long trousers for dinners and visits to the restaurant
• Shorts/dresses
• A light pullover/fleece/cardigan for the evenings.
• Wind/rain jacket and cap
• Soft-soled trainers (We kindly ask you to only wear anti-skid sport/boat shoes on board.)
• Flipflops or sandals
• For trips to the shore, we recommend you wear sturdy shoes/trainers

Bed linens, bath and beach towels, life jackets, diving goggles and fins are all provided on board.

Dress on board is casual during the day (T-shirt and shorts) and sporty-casual in the evening and at the Captain’s Dinner. Swimwear is not permitted during meals or below deck. Please observe the local customs for shore excursions. We would like to point out that it is generally a little cooler and windier on the water than on land.

What’s included

• Full Board* (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and filter coffee and tea)
• All bedding (pillow, sheets & duvet), bath and swim towels per person
• Full crew plus tuition
• Marina and fuel fees
• All tender trips to and fro the boat
• Lifejacket
• Adult snorkelling equipment
• Stand-up paddle-boards

What’s not included

• Alcohol and soft drinks
• Waterproofs
• *One meal is eaten ashore at the guest’s own expense
• Any flights
• Transit hotels
• Travel to and from the boat on the day of joining/leaving
• Travel Insurance
• Sailing Insurance (Please read our Sailing Insurance page for more information)
• Crew tips
• Personal expenses
• Water-skiing, wakeboarding, banana boat and tube riding are all chargeable once on board. > Chronos offers this at a moderate price and suggests an average of 10% of the voyage price to serve as a guide for consumption.

Travel insurance notes

As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.

Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.

This voyage will be more than 12 miles offshore.

*Please note passengers sailing on Chronos, Rhea or Kariós do not require personal accident cover, only health insurance. 

FAQ

• Are all meals included?

  Yes, all meals* on board are included in the price (breakfast, lunch, dinner and filter coffee and tea) *One meal per week is eaten ashore at the customers own expense.

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  Meat eaters and vegetarians only please.

• Are there any added extras?

  One meal is eaten ashore at the guests expense. Alcohol and soft drinks are not included but can be purchased on board. Water-sports are not included.

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  Chronos has two Standard Double En-suite Cabins (11 m²) and 10 Deluxe En-suite Cabins (12-13 m²).

• Is there a porthole in my cabin?

  Yes, all cabins have portholes.

• How many toilet/showers does she have?

  All cabins have their own ensuite.

• Are bedding and towels included?

  All bedding, a hand towel, bath towel, swim towel is included per person.

• Is there a hairdryer on board?

  Yes, there is a hair dryer in each cabin.

• Will I be able to wash my clothes?

  No, Chronos does not have laundry on board.

• Is there heating/air conditioning onboard?

  Yes.

• Do I need to tip the crew?

  Tips are not mandatory but are welcomed by the crew! There will be an honesty box available at the end of your voyage (as a general guide, a 5-10% tip based on your ticket price)

• What language is spoken onboard?

  English is the common deck language but there will be international guests and crew.

• Is there WIFI onboard?

  When within shore range, you should be able to reach 4/5G. Please make sure you have international roaming set up on your data plan. There is chargeable access to Starlink on all voyages. You can buy vouchers once on board if required.

• Can I charge my phone/Camera?

  Yes, there are 2pin EU sockets throughout the boat so please bring an adaptor if needed.

• What is the currency on board?

  Euro's.

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes.

• How do I get on and off the boat?

  Chronos is often at anchor so you'll need to be comfortable climbing in and out of the tender dinghy. There is an admiralty ladder and there will always be a crew member to steady.

• Are Waterproofs provided?

  No.

• Do I need sailing experience?

  No, absolutely not!

• Does the boat have any water toys?

  Yes, there are two sea kayaks, RS Quba dinghy, snorkelling gear, water skis, wakeboard, kneeboard and banana boat. For activities that require pulling with a dinghy we charge €1 per minute of use.

• Will I be sea sick?

  Everyone reacts differently but we recommend if you are at all worried to take some medication 24 hours before departure.

• Is there an age limit?

  Yes. Minimum age of 5, and as long as the child can swim.

Travel Planning

From: Mindelo, Sao Vincente

To: Mindelo, Sao Vincente

To see where the ports are, along with your likely sailing area, please view the sail area & highlights.

GETTING THERE

Sao Vincente

BY AIR

Flights go to Sao Vincente Airport from London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Stansted, Manchester and Lisbon with TAP Air Portugal and Cabo Verde Airlines. Sao Vincente Airport is about a 12 minute taxi ride to Mindelo.

Entry Requirements

Please check full entry requirements for your country.

Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after your date of departure from Cape Verde.