Independent travel guide to Cape Verde
Cape Verde is ten islands in the Atlantic off West Africa, and they make very different holidays: the beaches and steady wind of Sal and Boa Vista, the mountain trails of Santo Antão, the volcano on Fogo and the music of Mindelo. This guide covers the best things to do in Cape Verde, helps you choose an island and explains the weather, travel between the islands and the rules to know before you fly.
Sal Cape Verde's busiest beach island: Santa Maria, the Pedra de Lume salt crater, Buracona, Shark Bay, the wind and the all-inclusives. 
Boa Vista Cape Verde's island of dunes and long empty beaches: Sal Rei, Chaves and Santa Mónica, the Viana desert, the 1968 wreck and nesting turtles. 
Santo Antão Cape Verde's hiking island: the Paul valley, the Cova crater, Ponta do Sol and the coast path, reached by ferry from Mindelo. 
Turtle watching Loggerhead turtles nest on Sal, Boa Vista and Maio from July to October: how licensed night walks work, the rules and the ethics. 
Shark Bay, Sal Wade among young lemon sharks in shallow water on Sal's east coast: how Shark Bay works, the best conditions, water shoes and the rules. 
Fogo Climbing Pico do Fogo, the village inside the caldera after the 2014-15 eruption, lava-grown wine, São Filipe and how to get there. Suits first-time visitors who want an overview of Sal with a certified local guide rather than planning each stop. The tour takes about seven hours, so allow most of the day.
from €35 per person
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A guided drive around Sal for travellers who prefer an open vehicle to a coach. A local guide covers the island's landscapes, natural sights and everyday culture in Cape Verde.
from €29.99 per person
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A compact option for travellers who want the main natural sights of Sal without giving up a whole day. The tour lasts about four hours and is listed as all-inclusive.
from €45 per person
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Cross Boa Vista on a cobbled track to a nature reserve with a beach and a huge old baobab, then visit a lighthouse and colourful villages. Drive of about 1 hour each way, with photo stops; minimum 3 people.
from €40 per person
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A varied half-day on Boa Vista for visitors who like a mix of wildlife, landscapes and a little activity, finishing with a tasting. The tour lasts about four hours.
from €58 per person
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A nature outing on Sal for people interested in sea turtle nesting. It is a wildlife trip, so patience is needed, as sightings cannot be guaranteed. Observe quietly and from a respectful distance.
from €30 per person
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Minibus day trip with hotel pickup at 9:00, suited to those wanting an easy overview of Sal. Stops include Terra Boa, a viewpoint, Espargos with a free hour for lunch, and a float in the Pedra de Lume salt pools.
from €30 per person
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A coastal walk between volcanic rock and ocean, with a village viewpoint at Fontainhas and a picnic at Praia das Aranhas. Swimming there depends on sea conditions.
from €78 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Prices are indicative and may change. The final price is shown by the booking platform. Prices checked: October 22, 2026.
