Adventure Cruises in Cape Verde
A great destination for small cruise ships, offering a diverse range of landscapes, cultures, and activities for travelers to experience.
Adventure cruises in Cape Verde offer a unique and exciting way to explore this beautiful archipelago nation off the coast of West Africa. With ten main islands and eight islets, Cape Verde has a diverse range of landscapes to discover, from the volcanic peaks and sandy beaches of Santo Antão to the bustling city of Praia on the island of Santiago.
On an adventure cruise in Cape Verde, travelers can participate in a wide range of activities, such as hiking through the mountain Pico do Fogo, diving in the crystal clear waters, or exploring the vibrant music and dance scene in the island's lively capital city. Whether you're an adventure seeker looking for thrills and excitement or want to relax and take in the breathtaking natural beauty of the islands, a Cape Verde adventure cruise is the perfect way to do it.
Best Cape Verde cruises and areas to visit
With its strong African-Portuguese historical background and sprawling landscapes housing the best of land and sea, every sight in Cape Verde is mesmerizing. Here’s a list of some unmissable activities while exploring this region:
Sal Rei
As its name suggests, “Sal” Rei was a coveted hub for the salt trade, the remains of which can be seen in the interiors of this bustling island. Water sports like fishing, surfing, and kitesurfing are a must-try here.
Santiago
Enjoy a relaxing early morning swim in these tempting crystal blue waters. The most diverse and largest of Cape Verde islands, Santiago has everything from pristine white beaches to fertile valleys and plateaus. Praia, a city in Santiago, is the capital of Cape Verde and has elements from both the colonial era and the modern, 21st-century world.
São Felipe
The most attractive town in this archipelago, São Felipe, is also known for its locally-produced coffee.
Boa Vista
You must see some loggerhead turtles here since Boa Vista is the world's third-most important loggerhead turtle nesting sight. The region is also a breeding ground for humpback whales. Untouched turquoise beaches that line the Boa Vista island are so inviting that you’d want to spend time just swimming in these waters and soaking up the sheer natural beauty of these islands.
Fogo
The majestic sight of the Fogo volcano (“Fogo” translates to Fire in Portuguese) welcomes guests and follows them as the boat sails into this region. Guests can go on an optional expedition to the top of the volcano and walk along the crater's edge.
Santo Antão
The greenest of all the Cape Verde archipelago islands, Santo Antão, has fruit trees like passion fruit, mangoes, and sugarcane that thrive here. Indulge in its locally made alcoholic drink, “Grogue,” distilled from sugarcane.
Best time to cruise in Cape Verde
The region has pleasant weather throughout the year. But July and September are when the loggerhead turtles nest and lay eggs. March and April are the best months for humpback whale sightings. You might also spot them from February through May if you're lucky!
Cape Verde between November and June is very beautiful – at this time of year, you can make the most of the white-sand beaches the islands are known for. The temperatures sit around the mid-to-high 20s, and hardly any rain.
How to get to Cape Verde
Europe, Africa, and the Americas are connected to Cape Verde via air routes. International airports are on 4 islands: Sal, Santiago, Boa Vista, and São Vicente. Most islands within have regular flights to and from the mainland.
The national airline TACV (Cabo Verde Airlines) offers several international flights to Praia. TAP, the Portuguese airline, offers direct flights from Lisbon. TUI Airways and Royal Air Maroc operate direct flights from London and the United Kingdom.
Guests can reach Cape Verde via passenger ship into the principal ports of Mindelo and Praia, although the boats are not frequent and can sometimes be expensive.
Cape Verde Cruise Tips
What to pack
Pack lightly so that space in the cabins is not restricted; soft duffel bags are better than hard suitcases. Sports and casual clothes, plenty of swimwear, and a pullover or a cardigan for cool evenings are recommended. Flip-flops or slip-on shoes to walk around on sandy beaches, sunglasses, hats, reef-safe sunscreen, and insect repellent are necessary. Antidiarrheal and antihistamine drugs are also recommended. Although medical insurance and vaccines are not mandatory, a yellow fever vaccine and an up-to-date tetanus vaccine are recommended. Visa needs to be procured before arrival.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance to cover yourself and your personal belongings is always a good idea. You can have extensive coverage; alternatively, you can get temporary travel insurance for the duration of the trip.
Plan Your Travel
Cruises are primarily in November, December, and March. It's imperative to plan in advance and make bookings, as these months are the islands' busiest times of the year. Early bird discounts and special offers are available.
Keep some cash on hand
The local currency is Cabo Verdean Escudo. Euros, US Dollars, and other major currencies can be exchanged at airports, banks, and hotels. Since cash is preferred as payment in most local outlets, numerous ATMs are available all over the islands. Taking into consideration one's own spending habits, having an emergency fund of at least 500 Euros is a wise idea.
