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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1) What currency/credit card should we bring?
The best currency to bring with you is the euro (not US Dollars or Pounds). You can use euro on the island or exchange it for escudo’s at the airport or local bank. The rate is 1euro to 110escudos. Visa and Master card are the most well used cards on the island. Only the bank will accept American Express. The cost of changing traveller’s cheques is very expensive here.
2) What is the average size kite used on the island?
Summer: June to October: 14 to 16
Winter: November to May: 9 to 12
Average Wind Surf Sails?
Summer: June to October: 6.5-8.5
Winter: November to May: 4.7-6.1
3) Do I need a wet suite?
In the summer months June to November the water is warm enough that no wet suite is required when surfing/windsurfing/kitesurfing. In the winter months, we recommend a 3 mm shortie or long wet suite depending on your blood circulation.
4) Should I reserve course/board/rentals before hand?
We recommend that you reserve a course or rental prior to arriving to guarantee you a spot as well as material.
5) Can I book and pay on line?
You can book for a course or rental via e-mail and pay in full prior to arriving. Payment can be made into a Surf Zone account in the UK or Germany.
6) What do I need to know if I am bringing my own equipment?
Bring all your own gear: wet suite, harness, helmet, leash, etc. School tend NOT rent out helmets, wet suites, harnesses and leashes. These are for lessons only or their renters. The reason being they are difficult to find on the island and expensive to bring here. It is also difficult to buy these things, so bring some spares for your bar and line (chicken loop etc.).
7) What is the average cost of a meal/drink on the island?
The average cost of a meal is between 10 to 20euro per person. A beer is 1.50 euro, and can’s of juice 1euro.
8) How do we get to the station for the airport and how expensive is it?
The average cost of a taxi is 10 euros. Santa Maria and the Riu are appox 15/20min from the airport.
9) Can you recommend accommodation for us?
For a full list of hotels please go to: www.caboverde.com, click on Ilha do Sal and then hotels. This web site also provides the web sites for all the hotels
10) What is Kite Beach (Cabasa Salinas) and how do you get there?
Kite beach is the most popular spot for established kite surfers. It is on the east coast approximately 10-15min from Santa Maria. The wind is mostly side on shore and less gusty. There is no accommodation there and is only accessible by car. You can catch taxi's there and arrange for the taxi to pick you up at a later time. The total cost of the round trip is 15euro. Try to not take any valuables there, just the bare necessities (water and sun screen).
11) Where do i kite surf? The main spots are the Bay of Santa Maria or kite beach. The beach in front of the Riu hotel is also a great place to kite surf for more experienced kiters, as the wind is more side off shore here.
12) Where is the best place to windsurf? Bias aside, the best place to windsurf is in the front of the riu hotel. The wind is always strongest here, you can start planning from the time you leave the beach, and there are no boats or water traffic here. The wind is more side off shore and water conditions vary between wavey and completely flat.
13) Should i bring anything special? Sunscreen-as expensive and hard to find, flip flops, childrens beach toys, lycra for kids, and a hat.
