Seeing Santa Luzia from the São Vicente channel

Most people who “see” Santa Luzia do it from the water between Mindelo and the island, or from a high point on São Vicente. The channel is short. The sea in it is not always kind.

A realistic plan

Ask a fishing boat in the morning, not the night before a flight. If the wind is up, stay in Mindelo. There is nothing to do on a cancelled crossing except wait, and there is nowhere to sleep on the other side.

Bring water and a hat even for a few hours. Do not expect a trail map, a café or a phone signal. The story you take home is the shape of the island and the fact that you did not treat a reserve as a beach club.