Things to do in Cape Verde: 12 experiences island by island

More than sun and wind

It is ten in the morning and you are floating on your back in a salt lake inside an old volcanic crater on Sal. The salt holds you up without any effort at all. It is the kind of moment people take home from Cape Verde, and it is twenty minutes from the hotel.

Most visitors stay on Sal or Boa Vista, and that is where most excursions start. With more than a week, it is worth taking a flight or ferry to one of the green islands. Which island suits you is covered in our Cape Verde travel guide.

Sal: craters, sharks and kitesurfing

1. Float in the salt pans at Pedra de Lume

The salt works in the crater ran from the 19th century. Today you can bathe in the pools, where the salt is so dense you float as you would in the Dead Sea. Bring water to rinse off afterwards.

2. Wade with lemon sharks at Shark Bay

On the east coast you stand knee-deep in shallow water while small lemon sharks swim around your feet. They are harmless to people. Go with a local guide and keep your distance.

3. See the Blue Eye at Buracona

In a crack in the lava on the west coast, the water glows bright blue when the sun is high, around midday. Natural rock pools sit right next to it.

4. Try kitesurfing at Kite Beach

The wind that keeps the heat bearable also makes Sal one of the best kiting spots in the Atlantic, especially from December to April. The schools are on the east side of Santa Maria.

5. Watch the fishermen on the Santa Maria pier

Around lunchtime the boats come in and the catch is cleaned on the pier. It is free, and it is where you see everyday island life.

Boa Vista: desert and turtles

6. Drive through the Viana desert

The dunes inland look like a miniature Sahara. Many tours combine the desert with Santa Monica, one of the longest beaches on the islands.

7. Watch turtles nesting

From July to October, sea turtles come ashore at night to lay their eggs. Join a guided walk run by local conservation groups so the animals are not disturbed.

8. Go whale watching

From February to May, humpback whales come to the waters around Boa Vista to give birth. It is the best time for a boat trip.

The other islands

9. Hike the green valleys of Santo Antão

Steep mountains, terraces of sugar cane and footpaths between villages. The ferry leaves from Mindelo on São Vicente.

10. Hear morna in Mindelo

Morna is Cape Verde's answer to fado and is on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage. Mindelo was Cesária Évora's home town, and the bars have live music in the evenings.

11. Climb the volcano on Fogo

Pico do Fogo is almost 2,830 metres high and last erupted in 2014. Inside the crater, people grow wine in the lava soil.

12. Visit Cidade Velha on Santiago

The first European town in the tropics is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, half an hour's drive from the capital, Praia.

Good to know

• Excursions on Sal and Boa Vista can be booked at your hotel or with local agencies in Santa Maria and Sal Rei.

• Inter-island flights and ferries often change schedules. Allow a spare day before your flight home.

• For the best months for wind and waves, read the best time to visit Cape Verde.

• The hotels we recommend are in our Cape Verde hotel guide.

Frequently asked questions about things to do in Cape Verde

What is the best thing to do on Sal?

The salt lake at Pedra de Lume, the lemon sharks at Shark Bay and the Blue Eye at Buracona are the most popular trips. All three fit into one day with a guide or a hire car.

Can you see turtles in Cape Verde?

Yes. From July to October, sea turtles nest on the beaches, especially on Boa Vista and Sal. Join a guided walk to see them without disturbing them.

Is it worth visiting more than one island?

Yes, if you have more than a week. Sal and Boa Vista are beach islands, while Santo Antão, São Vicente and Fogo offer mountains, culture and a completely different landscape.

When can you see whales in Cape Verde?

Humpback whales visit from February to May, and Boa Vista is the best place to see them from a boat.