Maio

Maio (Capeverdean Crioulo, ALUPEC: Maiu, also in Maio Crioulo) is the easternmost of the Sotavento islands of Cape Verde. Maio is located south of the islands of Boa Vista and east of Santiago It was named by Europeans, after its first sighting on May 1, 1460. The island prospered around salt collecting, with a little agriculture and grazing, but none of the industries are now profitable. The island’s main town is Vila do Maio, also known as Porto Inglês, near which its airport lies. The island is also known for its trees, unusual for Cape Verde. The island population is about 5,435, the area is 269 km² and the population density is 20.2/km². The tallest mountain on the island (436 m) is on the east coast, in a mountain range named Monte Penoso. Terra Salgadas is a plain filled with salt, in the far north. The northernmost point on the island is Ponta Cais. Bays includes Galeão and Santana to the north.

Morphologically similar to Sal and Boavista, this small sanded island is only 268 kmq wide and has 5.500 inhabitants. The main pick is Monte Penos which is 436 mt high. Maio is one of the most charming islands, the coasts north to south, are all covered by white sanded beaches leading to the natural sault ponds to the south. This island is not well known by tourists and has only few small posadas. It’s not very easy to reach, the only flights leave from Sal through Praia. Since it is not a very popular touristic destination, this island is still very wild and primitive both morpholigically and touristically speaking.

But if you love a very quite places, this is the right island for you. Here you can relax sitting in a very “primitive” restaurant tasting delicious seafood, chatting with the friendly locals, listening to the sound of the local (always life) music. Thanks to the fauna and to the clean water, the island of Maio has been included in the "Cabo Verde Nature 2000", a project specially developed to protect the fauna and flora, born in the University of Las Palmas, under CEE supervision. Visit the capital Vila do Maio located on one of the most beautiful beach of the island. The architecture of the buildings have english influence. One of the most fascinating building in town is the small church "Nostra Senora da Luz", meeting place for all community.

Near te harbour area there is the Fortress called Sao Josè, built to fight pirats' incursions. The second most populated town is Calheta,a small village where people live of agriculture and fishing. Maio is very famous for its numerous beautiful white sanded beaches surrounding all the island. Do not forget to leave the island without visiting these small wonderful paradises: Calhetinha and Pau Seco, near Morrinho village. Tatarugas and Cais, near Porto Cais. Praiona, Prainha and Boca Ribeira are really astonishing facing a deep blue ocean.

If you want to get away from it all, Maio is for you – a peaceful almost forgotten flat island with deserted white sand beaches. Even the gracious capital Vila Do Maio with it’s huge white baroque church is a sleepy town, where only the occasional donkey hee-hawing breaks the silence. Morro is so sleepy that even the donkeys can’t be bothered to hee-haw – but the pastel painted houses and coconut palms make it worthy of a stroll.

A white sanded island, Maio is tranquil and almost forgotten. One of the flattest islands of the archipelago with vast, deserted beaches. Due to the influence of wind erosion , the island shows very little evidence of its volcanic past. The diversity of this island offers desert-like landscapes, small oases and many unspoiled beaches. Excellent opportunities available for walking the sand dunes, which is almost a therapy. Almost all the entire coastline has fine beaches for sunbathing and enjoying the water in complete isolation. These are the beaches which are generally chosen by sea turtles for laying their eggs. Vila do Maio, the capital, runs alongside one of the longest beaches of the archipelago. It is a small town with a traditional central church. Located approximately 3 miles from Vila do Maio is the small town of Morro. Morro is a small town with one main street, worthy of a stroll, and is surrounded by coconut palms. It is worth hiring a jeep to acquaint oneself with the diversity of this white sanded island and to discover it’s many hamlets and beaches. The islanders live extremely simple lives and show friendliness to visitors. With an island population of around 6,000 people this is a place of utmost peace. Many beaches are hidden from the main roads but can be accessed with a jeep. A keen observer may well experience a rare glance of some of the indigenous bird life.