Santo Antao Island . Sea & Mountains
Santo Antao Island History
Initially baptized as Santo António, with 754 km2, Santo Antão is the second largest island, being both the westernmost and the northernmost island of the archipelago with high rainfall. Santo Antao is the most impressive island of Cape Verde having deep valleys, peaks and craggy ridges with contrasting green and dry areas. An extensive range extends from the north to the south, dividing the island into two parts, north and south, with altitudes exceeding 1500 meters in several places where the Topo de Coroa is the highest point of the island with 1979 meters. The southern slope, where is located the city of Porto Novo, and where there are ferries to the island of São Vicente, is more cut and covered with vegetation.
Besides Diving
Hilly, green and mainly agricultural, Santo Antão stands out for its grandeur. The tours, mountaineering and short visits to the small productions of grog, are the attractions of the island. Between terraces and valleys, formed by the numerous mazes taken, give sustenance to cane sugar as well as results in a distinctive and handmade grogue.
The Ribeira Grande Valley of Paúl and the Topo of the Coroa are the culmination of all the endless beauty of this island. It is made by extensive basaltic areas, rails and boilers, making it an attractive place for adventure sports such as canyoning, hiking, trekking, cycling, fishing and many others, which together make a healthy mind in a healthy body.
Nevertheless, the grandeur of the island does not end here, the uses and customs of its people bring a spirit between the profane and the sacred and between joy and tranquility. "Tarrafal de Monte Trigo", "Pico da Cruz", "Cova" and the lighthouse "Fontes Pereira de Melo" will surely captivate the eye and the sense of the visitors.
The Sea and Biodeversity
The marine fauna is rich and diverse, the water is clear, normally with a visibility of more than 25 meters. The average annual air temperature on the island of Santo Antão varies between 24 º C to 30 º C and the sea temperature between 23 º C and 28 º C. All these ingredients promote the existence of coral platforms and multicolored fish creating an amazing ambiance.
The biodiversity is immense and the chance of seeing organisms, such as Wahoo, Skipjack tuna and Common dolphinfish is a reality. Also a permanent numerous of species of fish can be seen at different times of the year such as bream, mullet, esmoregal, snapper, grouper, moray eel, mullet, grouper. The migratory species such as tunas, dolphins, sperm whales, orcas and whales suddenly arise.
