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Ponta do Sinó: The Lighthouse & Beautiful, Wild Atlantic
Ponta do Sinó
Ponta do Sinó is the southernmost tip of Sal Island in Cape Verde, located just beyond the town of Santa Maria. It remains relatively undeveloped compared to the other island’s beach areas, offering a wilder, more natural landscape.
Ponta do Sinó beach is known for its protected status as a nature reserve, established to safeguard the coastal ecosystem and the nesting sites of sea turtles. The area is recognised for its role in conservation efforts. Stretches of its coastline are monitored during the turtle breeding season. There was once a plan to build a large lighthouse at the cape, but only its foundation remains, lending the site a slightly abandoned and remote character.
Today, visitors are drawn to Ponta do Sinó mainly for long walks, birdwatching, and the sense of being at the edge of the island, where the desert sands of Sal meet the open ocean.
The Bell Point
Ponta do Sinó marks the southernmost point of Sal Island’s peninsula. The name translates to “Bell Point” in Portuguese. Sandy beaches gradually transition to a reef system here, creating conditions that draw water sports enthusiasts from around the world.
Sal emerged from the Atlantic 40-50 million years ago through volcanic activity. It’s one of the oldest islands in the Cape Verdean archipelago. Wind and water have carved Ponta do Sinó into its current form over millions of years. The peninsula is situated in an area of diverse marine environments. Local wind swells and distant ground swells create varying wave conditions throughout the year. Southwest swells wrap around the point during summer, and the northeast trade winds blow consistently from November through June.
Farol da Ponta do Sinó: The Lighthouse
The Farol da Ponta do Sinó has stood here since 1892. The original lighthouse was a nine-meter quadrangular concrete tower that served mariners for over a century. In 2014, it was relocated and rebuilt with modern technology.
The lighthouse’s construction coincided with Cape Verde’s role as an Atlantic waystation. The islands served as a coaling station for steamships travelling between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The lighthouse guided vessels past Sal’s southern shores, warning of the reefs below.
Today’s lighthouse uses solar panels to power its lantern. The white-painted structure features an external staircase spiralling up to the lantern room, although public access is restricted. The orange glow of its light can be seen from nearby hotels and beaches each night. Despite all the modern developments, the sea still requires careful navigation.
Ponta do Sinó Reserve
The Ponta do Sinó Nature Reserve lies north of the headland. This protected area serves as a buffer between tourist development and the coastal ecosystem. The designation recognises the area’s importance for marine life and seabirds that nest along the rocky shores.
Tourism is a primary economic driver of Cape Verde, with all its pros and cons. Protected areas are of high significance for the condition and future of the islands. Areas like Ponta do Sinó serve as refuges for many native species and help to maintain their natural habitats.
The waters here are home to a diverse array of marine life. Snorkelers and divers regularly see schools of tropical fish in the reef system. Rays glide over sandy bottoms. Dolphins sometimes appear offshore, and migrating humpback whales occasionally pass through Cape Verdean waters.
Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
Ponta do Sinó has evolved into a premier kitesurfing destination. The area offers consistent cross-shore winds, nicely warm water year-round, and waves ranging from beginner-friendly to very challenging. A mid-size wave breaks over a shallow reef here. Flat sections between waves provide launching points for aerial tricks. The reef break allows experienced riders to carve turns on clean wave faces.
The spot sits at the southwestern end of the island, within walking distance of Santa Maria’s hotels and restaurants. The wind typically blows cross or cross-offshore. Kiters must be careful not to venture too far past the point into the open ocean.
Ponta do Sinó has produced world-class athletes. Mitu Monteiro and Airton Cozzolino, Cape Verdean riders, have dominated international competitions. Their success helped establish Ponta do Sinó on the global kitesurfing map. The area regularly hosts world tour events. During competition season, spectators line the shore to watch riders test the limits of the sport.
Cultural Crossroads
Cape Verde developed a distinctive Creole culture after Portuguese colonisation in the 15th century. This culture is a blend of African, European, and global influences. At Ponta do Sinó, you hear multiple languages on the beach. Music drifts from nearby bars at sunset.
The area demonstrates Cape Verde’s concept of morabeza — a Creole word for hospitality and warmth. Kitesurfing instructors share knowledge enthusiastically. Fishermen still launch boats from nearby beaches. Daily life continues despite international attention.
Santa Maria grew from a small fishing village centred on salt production into a cosmopolitan beach town. The colourful wooden fishing boats on the beach remain. Fishermen still sell their catch at the pier. The pace of life resists acceleration despite development.
The Modern Resort Era
Large resort complexes now line the beaches around Ponta do Sinó. Properties like the Riu Palace Santa Maria cater to international tourists. The Royal Horizon Ponta Sinó finally opened in 2024 after years of delays.
These developments brought employment opportunities and economic growth. They also raised questions about sustainable development and environmental impact. The challenge here is maintaining the natural beauty and healthy ecological balance of Cape Verde while continuing to provide economic opportunities for the islands’ population.
Experiencing Ponta do Sinó Today
Morning walks along the beach reveal a landscape transformed by light. The lighthouse stands against the awakening Atlantic. The beach stretches in both directions, golden sand interrupted by volcanic rock formations.
Water sports dominate daylight hours. Beyond kitesurfing, the conditions are also suitable for windsurfing, surfing, and stand-up paddleboarding. The reef system creates pools for snorkelling. Deeper waters attract divers. Equipment rental shops and schools line the beach. Instructors combine technical expertise with enthusiasm for their sports.
Evening brings spectacular sunsets. The lighthouse begins its nightly vigil as darkness falls. Beach bars play morna and funaná, Cape Verde’s distinctive musical styles. The smell of grilled fish mixes with the scent of grogue, the local rum distilled from sugarcane.
Conservation and Future Challenges
Climate change poses particular challenges for Cape Verde. Rising sea levels and shifting weather patterns pose a threat to coastal areas. Increasing storm intensity could alter the shape of beaches and impact reef systems.
Conservation efforts have become more sophisticated. Local environmental groups work with international organisations to monitor and protect the marine ecosystem. The nature reserve designation provides some protection, but enforcement remains difficult when tourism revenue is crucial for economic survival.
Development pressure continues. New hotel projects are regularly proposed. The success of kitesurfing has led to the development of an industry comprising schools, shops, and support services. Managing industrial and economic growth while preserving the natural balance that makes Ponta do Sinó special requires both very careful planning and honest commitment from both the government and the private sector.
Ponta do Sinó: Timeless Destination
Something enduring persists at Ponta do Sinó. Maybe it’s the lighthouse, still standing after more than a century. Perhaps it’s the ocean’s unchanging rhythms. Or maybe it’s the combination of natural beauty, sporting excellence, and Cape Verdean hospitality that brings visitors back year after year.
At Sal’s southernmost point, with the Atlantic stretching to the horizon, history and future meet. Trade winds that brought Portuguese explorers now fill kites. The lighthouse that guided steamships shares the coastline with luxury resorts. The protected nature reserve exists alongside intensive tourism.
This is Ponta do Sinó. A place where nature and culture, tradition and innovation, conservation and development converge at the edge of an ancient ocean. It serves as a beacon — not just through its lighthouse, but as a symbol of Cape Verde’s past, present, and future.
Visitors come for different reasons — kitesurfing, beaches, the lighthouse, or to simply escape from everyday life. Ponta do Sinó offers an experience that lingers long after you leave. Some destinations are more than their attractions. They serve as meeting points between humanity and nature, the familiar and the foreign. Ponta do Sinó isn’t just Sal’s southernmost point; it helps explain Cape Verde as a whole.
Bibliography and Sources
- Lighthouses of Cape Verde, Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2005;
- Reservas Naturais, Áreas protegidas Cabo Verde;
- Ponta do Sinó and Protected areas of Cape Verde, Wikipedia;
- Kitesurfing in Ponta Sino, Sal, Kite Jungle;
- Sal : Ponta do Sino – New Horizons Development, Cheryl Thomas, Expats Cape Verde, April 2016;
