The African country of Cape Verde, made up of 10 islands, is a popular holiday destination for its year-round warmth and low rainfall.
Sal and Boa Vista are the most typical destinations among package holidaymakers with golden beaches and sea breezes from the Atlantic. Smaller islands among the archipelago are also popular for walking, cultural trips and diving.
However, swimming can sometimes be dangerous due to the strong tides and currents around the islands. This week, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office provided updates to its advice for holidays to Cape Verde.
Here’s what you need to know if you are planning a holiday to the archipelago.
What does the UK Foreign Office say?
The UK Foreign Office advises travellers to stick to beaches where there is a lifeguard on duty, especially when they are planning to go into the water.
Tides and currents can be strong, it adds.
It is also advised to take care when walking close to the water’s edge, particularly along unsupervised stretches of beach.
Waves can be unpredictable and have a strong undertow. It adds to follow lifeguard’s instructions and respect the warning flags: red means danger: do not go into the water; yellow means caution: you can walk in the water, but you cannot swim; green means it’s safe to swim.
What is the advice from holiday companies?
Ian Coates, founder and managing director of independent travel specialists Archipelago Choice, which offers holidays to Cape Verde, says: “I don’t think it has been well documented that swimming can be a little dangerous at times in Cape Verde.”
He adds that, as the islands are in the Atlantic Ocean, the sea can be changeable: “you can get by big breakers, and when a wave pulls, it’s got quite a tow to it as well.”
Coates explains that on the bigger islands there will usually be lifeguards on beaches used by tourists and red flags will be put up when the water is dangerous to swim in.
He says he has visited Cape Verde with his family and swum at its beaches but emphasises that visitors should be vigilant.
More remote beaches on the smaller islands may not have flags to show the current state of the water, he adds.
Consult your tour operator or hotel before, or during, your holiday for further information.
What is the general advice about swimming on holiday?
Robert Gofton, chief executive at the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) UK, says: “When going abroad and planning your stay, education is key – do your research and be well prepared, stay vigilant and be sure to visit lifeguarded beaches wherever possible.”
The RLSS encourages travellers to follow the Water Safety Code. Gofton said that knowing the risks associated with open-water swimming, and your limits as a swimmer, could make all the difference.
Advice to follow includes:
Stop and Think: Take time to assess your surroundings. Look for the dangers and always research local signs and advice
Stay Together: When around water, always go with friends and family. Swim at a lifeguarded venue
Is there anything else I should know about travel to Cape Verde?
The UK Foreign Office has also updated its advice about travelling with, or as, a child. Its advice reads:
“Children aged 17 and under travelling to Cape Verde alone, or with a person who is not their parent or legal guardian, must carry a letter of authorisation to travel from their parent or guardian. The letter must be in Portuguese and the signature must be certified by a solicitor or notary.” See the details in full.
Coates says a letter of this kind is a relatively common requirement for overseas travel, as a child, or with a child, although it often tends to be the airlines, rather than immigration officials, who ask for the information.
He adds that English is widely spoken in Cape Verde, but suggests that a letter translated to Portuguese with the help of an online translation tool should be sufficient.
See the Foreign Office travel advice for Cape Verde before booking, and before travel.