Turtle watching in Cape Verde
Cape Verde has the third-largest population of nesting loggerhead turtles in the world, with most nesting on the beaches on Sal and Boavista between July and October.
We’ve been arranging holidays to Cape Verde for over 20 years and have seen an evolution in the type of turtle watching experiences you can enjoy. We’ll talk about what to expect if you join a group experience on Sal or Boavista, why a private experience is what we recommend, and where you can go swimming with turtles in Cape Verde.
Private turtle watching by night, on Sal
Loggerhead turtles come to shore to nest on Boavista and Sal between July and October, with August usually being the optimum month for observations. Its a truly incredible experience, particularly when you consider that these are the oldest surviving reptile, with ancestral turtle species dating back to more than 260 million years ago! These wonderful creatures deserve to be carefully protected, which is why we prefer to send people on a private experience with our local guide who runs his tours in a responsible and sustainable way. You’ll head to a secluded spot to observe the turtles laying their eggs under the cover of darkness.
Swim with sea turtles from Sao Pedro beach, on Sao Vicente
If a quieter and more unique experience is what you are looking for, then we recommend swimming with turtles on Sao Vicente. Head out from Sao Pedro beach on a rib and get into the water to see turtles in their marine habitat. There are so many turtles swimming in the waters here, it’s almost a guarantee that you will see one.
Group Turtle watching tours on Sal and Boavista
Turtle watching can be an incredibly memorable experience but has become increasingly ‘touristy’ on Sal and Boavista. Though there are conservation guidelines that tour operators adhere to, we feel that the number of people on these tours is becoming detrimental to the experience, which is why we always suggest a private experience. However, if you are visiting Sal or Boavista and would prefer to book onto a group tour then we can certainly arrange that for you. But be prepared to be amongst multiple other groups during the height of turtle nesting season.
Where else can I witness turtles laying their eggs?
If seeing turtles laying their eggs at night or hatchlings make a bid for the ocean is a bucket list experience for you, then we would recommend Costa Rica or Sao Tome and Principe . With large numbers of turtles coming ashore at multiple sites across both destinations, the experiences here are fantastic.
How can I book turtle watching in Cape Verde?
If you are booking your holiday with us then we can arrange for you to enjoy a turtle watching experience during your stay in Cape Verde. All of our holidays are fully customisable, so you simply pick the experience you want to include. If you have any questions that you would like to ask about turtle-watching experiences in Cape Verde, do get in touch.
