Sailing Trips and Boat Excursions in Cape Verde
The seas surrounding Cape Verde’s nine islands are stunningly blue and teeming with marine life, from whales and dolphins to colourful tropical fish and sea turtles. It’s no surprise that many visitors are drawn to the water to immerse themselves in this incredible natural environment. Cape Verde offers a fantastic range of watersports, especially on the islands of Sal and Boa Vista, and here we highlight the activities most loved by our travellers, the more exclusive and mindful experiences that can be enjoyed away from the crowds.
Half or full-day sailing excursion on Sal
Sal is one of Cape Verde’s most popular islands for water sports, including sailing. While sailing is possible year-round, the best conditions are usually between January and March, when stronger winds make for a more adventurous experience across the Atlantic with a professional skipper. April to June is also an excellent time to sail, with calmer conditions perfect for a more relaxed trip. Our excursions all start from Santa Maria beach, and you can choose between a half-day or full-day excursion aboard either a small yacht or a catamaran.
Half or full day sailing excursion on Boa Vista
You can enjoy sailing excursions from Praia do Estoril, a beautiful beach located close to the island’s capital, Sal Rei. We always arrange our sailing trips as private tours, allowing you to enjoy the peaceful coastline at your own pace. You can choose between a yacht and a catamaran, with catamarans often being the more popular option thanks to their added stability and comfort. Most visitors opt for a half-day tour.
Dolphin and Whale Watching Tours
The best islands for dolphin and whale watching in Cape Verde are Sal and Boavista, with Boavista offering the highest number of sightings. Humpback whales are the species most often seen during the season, although pilot whales, sperm whales and resident fin whales may also occasionally be spotted.
Most excursions are enjoyed as relaxed half-day sailing or catamaran trips, with the main focus being dolphin watching and spending time on the water. While whales are present around the islands, sightings are never guaranteed, but visitors travelling between February and May may be lucky enough to see humpback whales, particularly during the peak breeding season in March and April.
Snorkelling and beach BBQ at Agua Belas Caves on Santiago
Anyone visiting Santiago with us can enjoy this half-day private boat excursion to the Grutas de Agua Belas Caves, located on the island’s central west coast between Praia and Tarrafal. After transferring to Ponta Rincao to meet your guide, you’ll travel along the coastline by colourful wooden boat to the caves near Porto Ribeira da Barca. Many people visit as a day trip from Tarrafal, around an hour away by road.
The excursion lasts around three hours and includes time to explore the caves, swim in the clear turquoise water and snorkel either inside the caves or along the coast, depending on sea conditions. Snorkels and masks are provided, and the trip ends with a beach BBQ prepared by your guide.
Swimming with sea turtles on São Vicente
If you’re looking for a truly special experience, we highly recommend swimming with turtles in São Vicente. From São Pedro beach, you’ll take a short rib boat ride out to the shallow waters where turtles are regularly seen in large numbers. The focus here is very much on the unforgettable experience of being in the water alongside these incredible animals, rather than the boat trip itself.
As this is a popular activity, there are often several boats in the area, but this rarely detracts from the experience once you are in the water with the turtles. Seeing so many turtles swimming freely in their natural habitat is an incredibly memorable experience.
How can I book one of these experiences?
If you are booking your holiday with Archipelago Choice, we can arrange for you to enjoy any of these experiences during your stay in Cape Verde. All of our holidays are fully customisable, so you get to pick all of the experiences you want to include. If you have questions about any of these experiences, our Cape Verde specialists can talk about them in more detail:
Have a chat with Max or Jake, on: team@archipelagochoice.com.
