Sailing from Sal to Sao Nicolau
Sailing overnight from Sal to São Nicolau turns rough with cross seas and a failing autopilot—then Cape Verde rewards us with Carriçal, a quiet fishing village and green volcanic valleys.

Sailing overnight from Sal to São Nicolau turns rough with cross seas and a failing autopilot—then Cape Verde rewards us with Carriçal, a quiet fishing village and green volcanic valleys.

Most sailors rush to Mindelo to provision and wait for an Atlantic window. We wanted to explore Cabo Verde—but a stolen dinghy changed everything. Palmeira is still worth slowing down for.

Nike is back aboard and we sail from Tenerife to Sal, Cabo Verde—our longest passage yet. The forecast lied, the seas got rough, and landfall in Palmeira felt like pure relief.

Anchored near Toubakouta in Senegal’s Saloum Delta, we take a day off for a small safari—wildlife, mixed feelings about captive lions, and thoughts I’m still sorting out.

After 1.5 years running a DIY Octopus Watermaker with a Kärcher pump, we share what worked, what broke, and the key lessons on placement, power, and daily use.

Our final El Hierro episode before Germany: we explore the island’s rugged south, visit La Restinga and the ancient site of El Julan, and reflect on perspective before heading on.
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