Beaches

Cape Verde is a paradise for lovers of endless white beaches. On the island of Boa Vista is Santa Monica beach (known locally as Curranlinho), named after its more famous counterpart in Los Angeles. The Cape Verdean one is 8 kilometres long and has no hotels, so you can enjoy a walk almost alone. Miles of coastline also offer the beach of Cabo Santa Maria, where you can see the rusted wreck of a sunken Spanish ship.

• Holidays in Sal
• Holidays Boa Vista

Surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing

Thanks to the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Verde is very popular with water sports enthusiasts. Every major populated beach offers kitesurfing, surfing or windsurfing courses. These sports are particularly at home on windward islands such as Boa Vista and Sal.

Diving

Although it doesn't seem like it at first glance, there is good diving to be had in Cape Verde. You can spot tuna, sailfish, turtles, but also smaller sharks and even whales in the summer months if conditions are right. There are several shipwrecks on the seabed off Sal Island. Some are only a few metres below the surface.

The turtle farm

Turtles are the symbol of Cape Verde. Unfortunately, their sightings are limited both by the time of year and by strict regulations. The island of Boa Vista is home to one of the largest populations of turtles in the world. Adult females lay eggs on the island during the summer, and baby turtles hatch from late August until November.

Viana Desert

Inland on Boa Vista is the Viana Desert, where the fine white sand was deposited from the Sahara. Enthusiasts can ride down the dunes on quad bikes or sandboards.

Carnival

Mindalo, the capital of Sao Vincente, is the most cosmopolitan city in the archipelago. Several music festivals are held here and Carnival is even considered the second largest in the world after Rio de Janeiro.