Compare Cape Verde holidays

Mighty volcanoes, wicked surf and wonderful wildlife await in Cape Verde. Here are some of the islands’ best bits.

Climb Pico do Fogo

Mount Fogo on Fogo island is the highest peak in the Cape Verde archipelago and is the region's only active volcano. It takes around four hours to climb, but the views from the top are incredible, stretching across all the islands. You can book a guided hike from your hotel.

Walk with sharks at Shark Bay

On the far side of Sal, Shark Bay has a school of lemon sharks that swims in the warm, shallow waters just off the coast. Named for their yellow skin, the native sharks can grow up to 3m (10ft) long and are generally harmless to humans – they prefer plankton and small fish. There are many snorkelling tours to see the sharks from the beaches of Pedra de Lume, or you can wade out and watch them from the water.

Visit the Blue Eye Cave

On the northwest shores of Sal is Buracona, the Blue Eye Cave. Eroded by millennia of waves, the lava tube is now a large rock pool, which when hit by sunlight turns a dazzling turquoise blue. The way to the caves can be a little rocky, so you’d be wise to join a guided excursion. Arrange one via your Sal resort.

Go dune bashing in Deserto de Viana

Sands once part of the Sahara Desert now gather as dunes on Deserto de Viana on Boa Vista island. Try sandboarding down the dunes, go on an ATV bike adventure or book a dune bashing tour by 4x4 jeep across the empty desert. To stay nearby, Praia de Chaves has a good collection of beachfront hotels and resorts.

Visit Cidade Velha

Founded in 1462 by the Portuguese, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Cidade Velha in Santiago is the earliest European colonist settlement in Africa. Much of the old city is still intact: its royal fortress, cathedral and the 16th-century town square with its handful of bars and restaurants. It's an easy half-day trip from the capital, Praia, where beach resorts offer excursions.

Go surfing on Sal

For windsurfing, kitesurfing and wave surfing, the south coast of Sal has some top-notch waves. World-class surfers enjoy the pumping swells into Ponta Preta Beach. For consistent waves that work for the majority, Ponta do Sinó is your best bet. To be nearby, stay in one of the laidback hotels and beach resorts in Santa Maria.

Black, white, golden – whatever colour of sand you prefer, there’s a good chance you’ll find it on these islands.

Santa Maria, Sal

Lined with colourful fishing boats and beach bars, the powdery white sand of Santa Maria Beach is perfect for lazy beach days. And when you’re ready to take a break from relaxing, you can even snorkel with turtles in turquoise seas – if you’re lucky, that is. Stay nearby in one of the luxury beach resorts and all-inclusive hotels on the beach.

Santa Monica, Boa Vista

Stretching more than 10km (6 miles) along the southwest of Boa Vista, Santa Monica Beach has a more tranquil vibe and plenty of solitude. Lapped by the Atlantic, the beach has several colourful guesthouses and cheap hotels along its shores.

Chaves, Boa Vista

For a laidback beach escape, choose Praia de Chaves on Boa Vista. It’s a beautiful stretch of beach backed by sand dunes and just a couple of hotels, including the all-inclusive Iberostar Club Boa Vista.

São Pedro, São Vicente

For watersports, São Pedro Beach on São Vicente is popular for windsurfing and kitesurfing. It has consistent, temperate winds and rugged volcanic headlands bookending the bay.

Praia de Estoril, Boa Vista

South of Sal Rei town, Praia de Estoril has colourful snack shacks and beach bars that make it one of the prettiest beaches in Boa Vista. Popular for watersports, it has several places where you can hire stand-up paddleboards and surfboards or take kitesurfing and sailing lessons. 

With its tropical climate, Cape Verde is the king of winter sun. Although it’s a year-round destination – temperatures rarely drop below 20C – peak season is June and July. The rainy season falls between late July and October, but even then, showers are warm and brief.

When is the cheapest time to visit?

November generally has the cheapest flights to Cape Verde, but anytime between October and February is easy on the pocket – apart from the festive season, of course. Expect temperatures between 23C and 26C.

When should I go for the best weather?

Visit in December through to April for a glorious sun-drenched holiday with temperatures in the mid-to-high 20s and very little rain. If you like it hot and don’t mind a little rain, visit from August to October.