Island hopping in Cape Verde: The perfect route + travel tips

Ready to explore Cape Verde? Discover the ultimate island hopping route with tips on what to do, where to go, and how to travel between the Cape Verdean islands.

National park Serra Malagueta on Santiago, ideal for hiking entousiasts

Sun, rhythm, and a suitcase full of tropical adventures

Cape Verde isn’t just a destination, it’s a whole world of islands, each with its own heartbeat. Some feel like the Sahara, others like the Caribbean, or even the moon. And the best part? You can hop between them. Whether you love nature, music, culture or just want to relax – island hopping in Cape Verde is the ultimate way to experience its rich diversity.

But where should you go, and how do you get around? We’ve put together our favourite route, including the must-visit islands, travel tips, and why you might want to skip a few.

Best time to go island hopping

Cape Verde is a year-round destination, with sunshine almost every day – but for the smoothest travel experience, we recommend going between November and June. During this period, the sea is calmer, domestic flights are more reliable, and temperatures are warm without being too hot.

The short rainy season usually falls in August and September, bringing quick tropical rainfalls that help green up the islands. It rarely lasts long, but activities can be tiring due to the heat and hiking paths can become slippery.

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The ultimate island hopping route in Cape Verde

We suggest this route for a 2 to 3-week trip:

Sal → São Vicente → Santo Antão → Fogo → Santiago → Boa Vista

You’ll experience culture, nature, beaches, volcanoes, and real local life.

All travel between the Cape Verdean islands is done by short domestic flights (TACV Cabo Verde airlines) – usually between 30 and 60 minutes – making it easy and efficient to hop around.

The only exception is Santo Antão, which has no airport but is just a comfortable one-hour ferry ride from São Vicente, Mindelo and already part of the Atlantic adventure.

Cape Verde islands divided by landscape

🏝️ Sal – Soft landing & beach vibes

Sal is where most international flights land and depart, and it's the perfect place to start or end the trip. With long sandy beaches, turquoise water, and a laid-back vibe, Sal is ideal to rest after your flight and ease into Cape Verdean life.

What to do:

• Relax on Santa Maria beach

• Visit the salt mines in Pedra de Lume

• Try kite, wind or wave surfing

• Walk among baby lemon sharks

• Enjoy live music and caipirinhas at sunset

  
  

Travel tip: 3-4 nights is enough unless you're looking for a full beach holiday.

Go surfing with the locals

🎶 São Vicente – Music, culture & city Life

From Sal, take a short domestic flight to São Vicente – the cultural heart of Cape Verde. Mindelo, the island’s capital, is full of music, colonial charm, and lively streetlife.

What to do:

• Explore Mindelo’s colourful streets on a city tour

• Dance the night away with live morna and coladeira

• Swim with turtles in São Pedro

• Relax on Laginha beach

  
  

Travel tip: Stay in Mindelo and use it as a base to discover the local scene.

Snorkel with turtles in Sao Vicente

🏞️ Santo Antão – hiker’s paradise

A short ferry ride from São Vicente brings you to Santo Antão, the greenest and most beautiful of all the islands. Mountains, valleys, waterfalls – if you love hiking, this island will blow your mind.

What to do:

• Hike the legendary Cova–Ribeira do Paúl trail

• Stay in rural guesthouses surrounded by sugarcane fields

• Taste local grogue straight from the distillery

• Wander through cliffside villages

Travel tip: Plan at least 3–4 nights here to enjoy the nature and slow pace. We recommend staying in 2 different areas to discover different landscapes.

Hike in tropical sugar cane valleys

🌋 Fogo – volcanic landscapes & wine

Ready for something totally different? Fly from São Vicente via Santiago to Fogo, the island of fire. Here you’ll find Cape Verde’s highest peak – an active volcano surrounded by surreal lava fields and local wine vineyards.

What to do:

• Climb the active volcano peak of Pico do Fogo

• Stay overnight in the crater village of Chã das Caldeiras

• Taste local wine and coffee

• Explore the colonial town of São Filipe

Travel tip: Fogo feels like another planet. It's a must for adventurers that love authentic places.

Reach the top of Pico do Fogo at 2.829m

🌿 Santiago – local life & history

Santiago is the largest island that offers a rich mix of history, nature, and everyday Cape Verdean life. From beaches to markets to old fortresses, Santiago is where you feel the deepest cultural roots.

What to do:

• Visit Cidade Velha, the first European city in West Africa

• Hike in Serra Malagueta Natural Park

• Explore the capital Praia’s local markets

• Relax on Tarrafal beach and play football with the locals

  
  

Travel tip: Staying in Praia and Tarrafal will enhance your experience and show 2 different sides of the island.

The famous Rua de Banana in Cidade Velha

🏖️ Boa Vista – desert meets Atlantic ocean

End your journey in style with a few lazy days on the dreamy beaches of Boa Vista.This island is peaceful, spacious, and perfect to recharge after your adventure.

What to do:

• Take a quad tour through dunes and desert

• Spot turtles (june-october) or go whale watching (feb-may)

• Chill in small beach bars or luxury resorts

• Visit the shipwreck on Cabo Santa Maria beach

Travel tip: Most flights to Europe depart from here, making it a relaxing final stop.

Relax on unspoilt golden beaches

🛑 Why we some skip islands

There are 10 Cape Verdean islands, but some are harder to reach or better suited for specific interests:

• Brava: Beautiful and remote, accessible only by ferry from Fogo. It’s a paradise for hikers, but the limited transport and long travel times make it tricky to combine with other islands.

• Maio: Quiet, peaceful, and great for sunbathing. But connections are rare, and there’s not much to do unless you’re looking for total unplugged solitude.

• São Nicolau: A hidden gem with lovely hikes and traditional villages, but it’s often overlooked due to poor flight and ferry connections.

• Santa Luzia: Uninhabited and protected – no regular transport, no infrastructure. It’s only visited by a few fishermen and scientists.

🌍 plan your island adventure with Cabo Mundo

At Cabo Mundo, we create tailor-made island hopping trips based on your rhythm and interests.We know the islands, the people, and the best hidden gems – so you can just relax and enjoy.

Ready to hop? Get in touch and we’ll design your dream journey through Cape Verde’s magical islands and send you a personal travel plan.

REQUEST YOUR TRIP HERE