The coloured boats
Fishing boats on the sand.
Franzfoto — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Franzfoto — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Hanay — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Hanay — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Franzfoto — CC BY-SA 3.0
The fishing bay at Tarrafal is a port on the north-west coast of Santiago, at the foot of 643-metre Monte Graciosa. A curved sandy beach, palms, coloured boats and calm blue water make it one of the island's most pleasant places to spend a day away from the capital. The name comes from a Portuguese word for a plantation of the local tamarisk, and it appears on Bellin's map of 1747. The town became the seat of its municipality in 1917, with about 6,656 people at the 2010 census. South of town is a museum on the site of an old camp. You reach pale sand under coconut palms, with fishing boats lined up and people gathered around them. Brown hills ring the bay, and the water inside is fairly calm. Along one side runs a seaside walk with shady trees, benches and a colourful mural, with the town's houses above. The town is 46.5 km in a straight line north-west of Praia, reached by two main roads across the island. UK advice is to swim where a lifeguard is on duty, as currents around the islands are very strong, so ask before going in. Keep valuables secure, dress modestly away from the beach, and avoid isolated places after dark.
Fishing boats on the sand.
Shade on the beach.
Benches, trees and a mural.
Baía de Tarrafal, northern Santiago island
Ask first, as currents around the islands are strong, and choose a lifeguarded spot.
By road across the island, on either of two main routes.