Information Brava Island

Brava Island

WHERE TO STAY

In Vila Nova Sintra: O Castelho
In Fajã d'Água (seaside): Kaza di Zaza (apartments) tel. 2855032/9820785

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MAP OF BRAVA ISLAND

THINGS TO DO AND SEE

Brava is relatively a small island, and therefore all the more enjoyable to many. It's a great island for hiking. Soon you're familiar with the location of the different villages, the people who live there and how to get from A to B. Hundreds of ancient footpaths connect traditionally all places with each other.

Highlights:

Walk through the ribeira of Fajã d'Água, the gap where up to 25 years ago a river flowed. Cobblestone donkey paths will lead you zigzagging from Nosse Senhora do Monte via ghost town Lavendura to the sleepy fishing village of Fajã d'Água. The other way around is also possible. About 2 hours walk (one way).

Swimming and snorkeling in the Bay of Portèt, the only sandy beach of Brava. A good hour's walk from Fajã d'Água, passing the unused airport. Along the way you'll also pass the piscine natural, the natural swimming pool between the rocks. Definitely a place to visit, too!

Sail with an authentic fishing boat over the ocean. Learn how to fish from the local fishermen, and catch one of the beautiful fish species that swim around Brava, to grill on a deserted beach somewhere along the way. Various options possible, depending the weather and ocean conditions.

Walks to and on the highest point of the island, Fontainhas (987 m), with a completely surprising landscape. Several routes are possible.

Visit to Vila Nova Sintra. Just walk around for a few hours and take the time to sit on the praça, the town hall square,watching the daily life in a Capeverdean town.

From Vila Nova Sintra (in short: Vila) you walk in one hour, via Santa Barbara, to Vinagre. The old bathing house there is perhaps the most extraordinary building of Brava. Unfortunately the source collapsed, the buildings are in decay and the inhabitants left the village, but the atmosphere is special.

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WHERE TO EAT OR DRINK

Food:

In Vila Nova Sintra: Luanda, next to the Lycee (re-opens June 2017)
In Fajã d'Água: Casa de Julia, and Bar di Nos (Anna).
Please note that on Brava food is freshly made while you wait – or order in advance!

Drinks:

Everywhere where you see the sign next to the door, that people under 18 are not allowed to enter. Going to a bar on Brava is an experience, since the island is totally not to touristic

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History of Brava Island

Situated to the west of the lower half of the Archipelago, Brava is only 20km from Fogo and is geologically speaking part of Fogo. Brava’s cliff’s extend 4km below sea level and surround much of the coastline. It is the smallest island in the archipelago.

Although there haven’t been recent eruptions, there are a number of earthquakes, but most go un-noticed.

The island was discovered in 1462. The people are descendants of settlers from Madeira and the Azores, many of whom are fair skinned. In the 1680’s many people escaping the earthquake on Fogo decided to settle on Brava and not return to their homes. Towards the end of the 18th century, many Cape Verdeans emigrated to the U.S.A. By the 1850’s the community had grown to warrant a secondary school being built on the island, it attracted students from other islands and Guinea Bissau.

The Whaling ships of the 18th century that stopped at Brava replenished supplies and took on eager young locals who wanted to pursue another life.Some of those who joined the crew continued with Whaling, whilst many others sought different employment and remained in the U.S.A.

Many Cape Verdeans returned home from the U.S.A. following the years of depression. Those that returned to Brava then suffered from the after effects of the Second World War which reduced foreign support to the islands. The drought that then followed caused many people to die from famine.

In 1943, wishing to escape the famine on Brava, a number of American emigrants returning to the U.S.A. and natives of Brava purchased an old whaling vessel named the Mathilde. The Mathilde had some repairs carried out before leaving Brava for New England. It is understood that that the Mathilde sank near Bermuda, leaving no survivors.

In 1982 a hurricane destroyed much of the infrastructure on Brava.