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Sal

Portuguese for 'salt', this island in Cape Verde belongs to the northern group of islands called the 'Barlavento', literally meaning 'exposed to the wind'. With an average year round temperature of 24°C, this island provides an excellent climate for sea sports.  

In the northeast of the archipelago, the island of Sal is one of the most windy destinations close to Europe: a paradise for lovers of board sports. The UCPA center is located at the southern tip of the island, in the bustling city of Santa Maria, and thus enjoys the ideal conditions of a crescent moon beach.​

Activities

Famous for it's kitesurfing and surfing, the centre in Sal specialises in these sports.

Kitesurfing

​On the island of Sal, the very large bay area of Santa Maria offers plenty of space for training as well as some easy waves for novice kitesurfers, Kite Beach offers clean side on shore wind and is the perfect area for improvers to hone their skills while more experienced kiters should head to Ponta Preta for its great wave! At Boa Vista the flat water spot at Sal Rei is perfect for learning or improving your skills, while a wide variety of great wave spots can be found all over the island. The best season for wind is from December to May where you can enjoy​ the lovely warm turqouise waters too.

Windsurfing

Sal boasts perfect wind and wave conditions from November until May. This incredible island offers some of the best windsurfing conditions with a fine-grained sandy beach extends over more than four kilometres. The cross-offshore wind enables effortless upwind sailing along the various sections of the beach. The main area for windsurfing is Santa Maria located at the southern end of Sal. For those looking to surf the waves, Ponte Leme's wave spot offers clena and unbreaking waves up to two metres. for the advanced windsurfers out there, Ponta Preta have 3-6 metre waves just 50 metres from the shoreline, making them very accessible. 

Scuba Diving

Whether you are an experienced diver or would like to make your first dive, Cabo Verde Diving will cater for all needs. There is no rainy season in Cape Verde and we, therefore, dive all year-round. During the winter (January-March) humpback and occasionally sperm whales visit the islands on their annual migrations, whilst mantas, morays, turtles, a wide variety of sharks and large schools of fish are year-round attractions. Summer (June – November) is the mating season for the local turtles and these may be encountered underwater or on the beaches at night when they come ashore to lay their eggs.

Local Town

UCPA ​Sal is located in the small town of Santa Maria, right by the sea on the most southern area of the island. With a population of just over 6,000 people, the town is small yet lively with its industrial history built upon the exporting of salt - the name of the island in Portuguese!

Cape Verde has a lot to offer ​when you are not riding the waves. Spend your days exploring the small fishing villages, hik​ing around vaired landscapes or just chill on one of the many stunning beaches on the island.  

UCPA Centre

Instead of having a purpose built UCPA centre, in ​Sal UCPA use the Ponta Preta Residence. The hotel is a couple of minutes walk away from the beach and bars in the area. Bike hire is availble at the property and do ask about the popular hikes nearby. Rooms are 2-3 beds shared between guests (twin rooms are available for a small supplement).

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Testimonials

  • Imagine moules mariniereier, steak (cooked how you like it) and paella just to name a few options during our week and you get a picture of how well fed you will be at UCPA.
    Elliot B
  • Describing the UCPA is difficult. Not because there is a lack of adjectives to adequately convey the amount of fun you’ll have while you are there, the friendliness of the instructors, the quality of the food...
    Mark D
  • The food is great and there is tons of it from breakfast, lunch, snack time (after your day on the slopes) and dinner in the evening. My favourite meal this year was on the Thursday evening when it was...
    Peter E
  • There is always such a friendly and open atmosphere and the nights provide a great opportunity to meet new people. Making new friends from all over the world is a virtual certainty and for me personally, this was the...
    Richard J
  • Alongside the excellent equipment, lessons, food and accommodation, the thing that brings me back year on year is the atmosphere, as made by the people who go to UCPA.
    Elliot B
  • The food offers great variety, choice (several options each night), quantity (as much as you want) and quality is decent.  Cheese and yoghurts coming out of your ears, packed lunch option, afternoon tea and cake and you can drink your own wine at dinner.
    Anna R
  • The food provided was up to a very good standard for all meals with a soup starter available every dinner followed by two or three hot meal choices, a salad bar and a variety of tasty deserts and fruit.
    Richard J
  • The quality of the equipment is second to none and the ability to easily swap things over if they’re not quite right is so useful. 
    Amelia S