KM² (KM²)
POPULATION (K)
Maio, the quietest island, with several reserves and natural parks, shows us its essence of a life untouched by time.
If what we like is to travel and explore places as they are, away from the hustle and bustle of tourism, the island of Maio is undoubtedly the ideal place just 26 km from the island of Santiago.
May
So close and yet so far from tourism
Maio Island
The island of Maio is one of the most authentic inhabited islands of Cape Verde; this is not to say that the others are not, but its low level of tourist development makes it an absolutely virgin place to visit. Surely, the island of Maio has been, and still is, the forgotten island of the archipelago. A practically flat land, with the presence of deserts and acacia forests, totally quiet and with magnificent secret beaches, all of them sheltered from the hustle and bustle of the resorts of the island of Sal. Currently, there are tourism development plans to attract visitors and promote local businesses and areas of interest, but for better or worse, they never get off the ground. Because of this phenomenon, the island of Maio retains its genuine character intact.
Vila do Maio
Port
Domestic airport
HIGHEST POINT (M)
KM FROM SANTIAGO
LARGEST ISLAND
BEACH IN VILA DO MAIO
News
Agriculture and fishing occupy a quarter of the working population on the island of Maio. Due to the aforementioned reforestation projects, the locals use this resource to produce charcoal in ovens located underground in order to market it to the other islands of the archipelago. Also, in 2003 a cooperative was created to exploit the salt flats in Porto Ingles. Despite the presence of small, family-run hotels, the island of Maio is free of large resorts, proof of which is the presence of a ghost resort that reveals the failure of large-scale tourism development.
Entrance doors & Transportation
The island of Maio has a domestic airport with flights only to the capital Praia 2/3 times a week.
In terms of ferries, it also connects only with the capital through the Sotavento line.
In terms of transportation, the best option for getting around the island are private 4×4 cars or renting a car / motorcycle.
Maio in data
History
The most important activity on the island of Maio since its discovery was the breeding of cattle and goats, producing up to 4000 animals per year, but it was short-lived, since it practically ended the regeneration of the vegetation. After this event, in the 16th century, only the salt business remained in operation. Due to the lack of interest of the Portuguese in the island, it was the English who took over the exploitation of the salt mines, with a very efficient infrastructure, which moved the salt packages from the interior to Europe and later to the Brazilian market. After the protectionist measures imposed by Brazil, the salt business ended at the end of the 19th century, leaving an unsustainable activity on the island of Maio. In the interior of some local houses, English ornamental elements from the exchange of goods of the time can still be seen.
Biodiversity
Beaches of fine sand with an interior where we find both forests and small deserts.
Although the island of Maio is relatively small, it has several nature reserves, such as Terras Salgadas or Praia de Morro. At the level of natural parks it has Figueira or Brarreiro, and at the level of protected landscapes it has Monte Penoso or Monte Branco.
In terms of marine fauna, the well-known Caretta Caretta turtles stand out. Maio Island is the second largest turtle nesting site in Cape Verde. Due to its long sandy beaches and very limited human activity on them, the turtles saw in ancient times an ideal place to lay their eggs.
Porto Inglés - La Capital
Other locations
- North Coast: full of coves, beaches, small dunes and bays, it is a place of marine and biosphere reserves. Strolling and getting lost among the beaches is the best option.
- Calheta: small typical fishing village of Maio. The best sample of the quiet life of this island.
Experiences in Maio
In terms of activities, we recommend the usual ones. In spite of not being an island 100% recommended for trekking, it does offer the possibility of hiking in the different natural parks and protected areas. We can also make quad excursions around the island.
In terms of bathing, we can relax on idyllic beaches absolutely remote and far from any sign of tourism. If we want to practice water sports, on the island of Maio we have the possibility of scuba diving, kayaking or SUP. During the winter and spring months there is the possibility of whale watching in the ocean. Finally, we can fish in designated areas.
Outstanding proposals:
- Visit the turtle nests (July/September) with the Maio Biodiversidade Foundation.
- Visit the old salt mines of Porto Inglés
- Tour the entire island at your leisure in a rental car.
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