Maio - The calm island
It is a flat, primarily desert island with long sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Known for its tranquility and relaxation, Maio is ideal for beach vacations.
Maio Island
Maio is one of the easternmost islands of the Sotavento, located south of Boa Vista. The island offers quaint villages with colorful little houses, goats, and tranquility. Time seems to stand still here. The vegetation is sparse, but there are salt marshes, hills, limestone valleys, acacia forests, and coconut palms. Due to reforestation efforts, Maio has the largest contiguous forest area in the Cape Verdean archipelago, allowing for the production of charcoal without endangering the tree population. Bird watchers can observe various bird species, including Sandler’s Lark, Desert Warbler, Racquet-tailed Warbler, and Fischadler. You can see sea swallows and waders in the salt marshes of Vila do Maio.
The island of Maio has beautiful, secluded beaches, including the mile-long sandy beach on the west coast that stretches from Vila do Maio to Calheta. The capital, Vila do Maio, is located in the southwest, directly at the sea, and has a central place, the Praça Fina, which serves as a meeting place for the people and is surrounded by a white church in Portuguese colonial style. In the south of the Praça, there is a small market hall where you can buy food.
In the western part of Maio Island are the villages of Calheta, Morrinho, and Morro. Calheta and Morrinho have colorful houses, a small square, and a church. Morro has a beautiful sandy beach and a coconut grove. During the nesting season, please keep a safe distance from the nesting areas of the local turtles. Northeast of Morro is a ridge with the 294-meter-high Monte Batalha. The island is rarely reached by air or sea, but the port has been expanded to accommodate larger vessels.
Weather and climate on Cape Verde Island Maio
The weather on Ilha do Maio varies depending on the season. The warmest months are generally September and October, with average temperatures of 24°C. The coolest months are usually January to April, with an average temperature of 19°C.
September is the wettest month with the most rainfall. However, this is not so bad if it only rains for six days.
Those who do not like rain should travel to the island from March to June when Maio is the driest, and it may only rain for one day. The deserted sandy beaches and the turquoise sea always make a day at the beach an experience. The water temperatures are highest in September and October, and you should test the water before swimming in March and April.
The climate is very dry, and the soil is mainly limestone. Every year, more land is irrigated because of the increase in cultivation in the center and north of the island. Despite the unfavorable climate, the island has the largest forest in the Cape Verde Islands. The northern region is heavily eroded by the rough sea and strong northeast winds.
For water sports enthusiasts, including kiteboarders and surfers, February is the windiest month, with an average wind speed of 7.6 m/s or 27.4 km/h. With its flat sandy beaches, Maio is a paradise for windsurfers.
Top 6 Sights in Maio
1. Vila de Maio
Vila do Maio is the administrative center and capital of the island. It is characterized by its tranquility, colorful houses, and the baroque church from the late 19th century. Century (1872). The city was also known as “Porto Inglês” (English Harbor), as the British once had a thriving salt mining business and exported the product to Europe and America.
The town is located directly on the sea, where the port and a beautiful white sandy beach are. On the small white sandy beach, the fishing boats of the region are anchored. Nearby, there is a fortress (Forte de São José). It was built in the 18th century to protect the city from pirate attacks.
A little further away and higher up is a magnificent church surrounded by beautiful flower gardens. In the same area, there is a building of the cooperative, which has a unique architecture since it was built in the form of an African hut, a “fungos africanos”.
2. Visit to the Salt Mines and the Morro-Morinho
Although these extraordinary salt mines with a length of 5000 m and a width of 1500 m are no longer in operation, a visit is worthwhile. The vegetation of this area is unique. Two typical species, the “Marra” and the “Salsola Soda”, are the most important ones to be found here.
The sight of the salines (Salinas), which can be up to 5000 meters long and 1500 meters wide, is an extraordinary sight for the visitors of Maio. The vegetation in this area is unique and stunning, with two typical species known locally as “Maraca” and “Salsola soda”.
3. The village of Morro
A small village that is practically on the road. The local handicrafts with pots and other kitchen utensils are fascinating. The beach is lovely, and the clear water is ideal for fishing. In the same area, between Costa and Monte Batalha, there is an area where there is no vegetation at all. The reflections in the air give you the feeling of being in the open desert.
4. The fishing port of Calheta
A little further on is Calheta, a small fishing port. Here, the infrastructure for reforestation and cattle breeding has been created. Calheta de Baixo has two fine white sandy beaches, protected at both ends by rock formations.
5. The beach of Baia de Santana
Baia de Santana is a deserted semi-circular beach. The fishermen of Morrinho use it, and it is also very popular with the turtles. Nearby, there are two other beautiful beaches, the Baia de Porto Cais and the Praia Real, where you can watch turtles and where there are many shells.
6. The oases of Figueira da Horta
This excursion takes you to the oasis. Figueira da Horta is located about 6 km from the city of Maio. The landscape is desert-like and beautiful. The bird life here is well adapted to the desert conditions, feeding on insects and surviving long periods without water. There is also another cooperative here in the form of an African hut.
Watch a 4k video about the beauty of Maio:
FAQ about Cape Verde Island Maio
More information about the other Kapverdian islands you can find here in our island overview. Everything you need to know about traveling to the Cape Verde Islands can be found in our blog article!
What is the best month to travel to Maio on the Cape Verde Islands?
The warmest months are usually September and October, with average temperatures of 24°C, but September can also be the wettest month, with about six days of rain.
Does Maio have an airport?
Yes, the island has an airport, which became an international airport in 2020. The airport’s name is “Vila do Maio” and the airport code is “MMO”. The runway is currently 1400 meters long.
Can I fly directly to Maio?
No, you can only fly via Praia in Santiago to get a connecting flight. It is possible to fly from Lisbon and other countries directly to Praia (RAI), which makes it easier to get to Maio the same day if you have some time.
Can I take the ferry from Praia to Maio?
Yes, the MS Sotavento is a passenger and cargo ferry that runs between Praia and Maio, calling at the island several times a week, depending on the weather and season. The port of Maio is approx 50 km from the port of Praia. The ferry crossing usually takes about 3 hours, depending on weather and sea conditions.
How much is a ferry ticket from Praia to Maio?
A return ticket for one adult from Santiago (Praia) to Maio currently costs (28.01.2020) $2598,00 cve, or about €24. Please visit the CV InterIlhas website for current details and prices.
Can Maio ferry tickets be bought online?
Tickets can be purchased in advance through the CV Inter-Ilhas website: https://www.cvinterilhas.cv.
How long does it take to take the ferry from Praia to Maio?
The ferry ride from Praia to Maio takes approximately 2.5 hours, depending on weather and sea conditions.