Activities on Santiago Island
Big Game Fishing
Cape Verde has always been on the radar for Big Game Fishing enthusiasts and Sambala is excited about the fishing potential in the waters around Santiago Island along with the launch of Sambala's first game boat. Cape Verde will become the next "must-fish" destination for the angler seeking exceptional blue marlin activity. The season for Marlin runs typically from March until November with the prime time for blues from May until July. Throughout the season catches will include Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna (to 250 lbs), White Marlin, Spearfish (long and shortbill), Dorado and Broadbill also Sailfish are around during July. The majority of Blue Marlin caught to date are around the 200 to 350lb but much larger fish are regularly encountered. In the last few years, the World Blue Marlin Championships has been organised by IGFA. Recently, Christopher Brand of Portugal picked up a cheque for $375,000 for his 850 lb, 9 oz. Blue Marlin caught in Cape Verde Waters.
Stewart Campbell, multiple blue marlin record holder, has seen the big one.
"The biggest fish we ever saw, we ran over accidentally when she was tailing downsea in Cape Verde. We stayed with her for 15 minutes but she wouldn't bite. She was huge and would have dwarfed anything we caught. She was far bigger than anything we had ever seen by a wide margin."
Diving
Santiago diving is very diverse; there is a wide variety on offer to satisfy novice and advanced divers alike. Due to pretty constant weather conditions all year round, the water temperature ranges from 23°C to 30°C. The visibility varies but is generally around 30 to 40 metres. It is reduced in the rainy season due to run-offs from the land. Off of the coast of Santiago, particularly in the south-east, the sea life is plentiful as most of the caves and swim-throughs are home to various types of fish, eel and lobster. Depths can drop dramatically, down to over 60m just 100m offshore. These depths bring a current of cooler water and naturally larger fish and marine life. Brilliantly coloured parrot and triggerfish, manta rays, hammerhead sharks, nurse sharks and reef sharks can be found on and around the shelves and ledges. There are also large schools of barracuda, strawberry-coloured coney grouper and clouds of beautiful reef fish such as the yellow-tailed snapper. During the warmer weather, trumpet fish, green turtles, manta rays, balloon fish and schools of dolphins are quite common. Various species of nudibrach and eel can be found around the rocky reefs that make up the underwater coastline. Humpback and grey whales often make an offshore appearance in March and April.
For wreck enthusiasts, or even the more adventurous diver, shipwrecks of all type and vintages can be found in the Capeverdean waters. San Francisco, off the coast of Moia Moia, near San Francisco, lies the remains of a wreck of a 17th century trading vessel of which the name and home port are yet unknown. It is estimated to have been wrecked in 1650. Cannons, anchors and pintels litter the site, evidence of how treacherous the shallow off-shore reefs were for early mariners.
There will be a dive centre on the Sambala resort which aims to be a Gold Palm member of the PADI International Resort Association offering a wide range of activities and PADI courses to both its diving and non-diving customers. Safety procedures, professional and highly-trained staff, continuing training and local knowledge of the area are to be core features of the centre providing the clients with the very best quality of service possible.
