01 · Kystlandskap
Santo Antão-dalene
Terrasserte daler og fjellstier står i kontrast til tørre kystskråninger. Utflukter krever vanligvis transport fra São Vicente.
Sjekk tilgang, aktivitetsnivå og hva som er inkludert på din bekreftede reiserute.
Vulkanske øyer, atlantiske byer og fjelldaler
The destination is the experience
Kapp Verdes atlantiske øygruppe kombinerer barske vulkanlandskap, bebodde havnebyer og grønnere fjelldaler. Øyene har ulike ferge- og flyforbindelser, og værutsatte overfarter gjør valg av reiserute like viktig som reisemåneden.
En reise gjennom dalene på Santo Antão og den omkringliggende regionen setter landskapet i fokus. Skipet ditt binder sammen kyststedene, mens guidede utflukter avslører detaljene som er lette å gå glipp av fra dekket.
Velg de faktiske stoppestedene på programmet, ikke bare destinasjonsnavnet. Ruter som inkluderer Mindelo kan tilby en annen balanse mellom natur og kultur enn de som har base rundt Cidade Velha. Aktiviteter, tillatelser og krav til gange varierer fra seilas til seilas.
When to go
Best time to travel: seasons & weather
Match your Cape Verde route to the season, the shore experiences you want and local conditions. Coastal regions can differ considerably within the same destination.
Shore-excursion season in Cape Verde at a glance
ExcellentGoodOff-season
Excellent, peak season (Nov – Jun)
Dry, breezy and sunny: excellent for volcanic hikes, village visits and colourful markets across the islands.
Good, shoulder season (Jul – Oct)
Short rainy spell brings humidity and greener valleys; most excursions still run.
Typical patterns for planning shore excursions; weather varies year to year and is never guaranteed.
Peak season · Nov – Jun
Dry, breezy and sunny: excellent for volcanic hikes, village visits and colourful markets across the islands.
Shoulder season · Jul – Oct
Short rainy spell brings humidity and greener valleys; most excursions still run.
Season & shore-walk conditions
Jan
Peak
0 mm
Seasonal
Feb
Peak
6 mm
Seasonal
Mar
Peak
0 mm
Seasonal
Apr
Peak
0 mm
Seasonal
May
Peak
0 mm
Seasonal
Jun
Peak
0 mm
Seasonal
Jul
Variable
6 mm
Seasonal
Aug
Variable
22 mm
Seasonal
Sep
Variable
48 mm
Seasonal
Oct
Variable
22 mm
Seasonal
Nov
Peak
6 mm
Seasonal
Dec
Peak
3 mm
Seasonal
| Typical pattern | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shore conditions | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Variable | Variable | Variable | Variable | Peak | Peak |
| Rain / snow · mm | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 22 | 48 | 22 | 6 | 3 |
| Cruises | Seasonal | Seasonal | Seasonal | Seasonal | Seasonal | Seasonal | Seasonal | Seasonal | Seasonal | Seasonal | Seasonal | Seasonal |
Local conditions differ between coastlines and islands. The chart represents Mindelo, not every stop on a voyage. Cruise operation depends on the published itinerary, not the weather rating.
Air temperatures through the year
Average daily highAverage daily low
Temperatures in Mindelo shift clearly through the year: September is the warmest month with average highs near 25°C, while March is the coolest at around 20°C, a swing of roughly 5°C. Nights typically run about 1°C below the daytime high, so a layer for evenings is worth packing. The months between these extremes warm up and cool down gradually rather than abruptly.
Mindelo · 2015–2024. Monthly averages, rounded for planning; not a forecast or a local station measurement. Rainfall includes water-equivalent snowfall where relevant.
Wildlife on land & along the coast
Meet the locals
The most memorable encounters often happen at walking pace. Animals live in specific habitats, so the places on your route matter as much as the month. Follow local wildlife distances and your guide.
Nesting season, broad window
Uekte karett
Sandstrender for egglegging
Bli med på et lokalt skilpaddeprogram for å se uekte karett legge egg på viktige øystrender.
No set season
Suppeskilpadde
Skjermede kyster for beiting
Av og til sett i kystnære beiteområder, selv om uekte karett er den vanligste arten som legger egg her.
Evenings, weather-dependent
Kappverdisk murgekko
Santo Antãos steinmurer
Sjekk steinete kystbosetninger og steinmurer på Santo Antão etter mørkets frembrudd.
Extinct — no viewing
Kappverdisk kjempeskink
Holmene Branco & Raso (historisk)
Denne kjempeøglen levde en gang på Branco og Raso, men er nå utdødd.
Breeding season, variable
Kappverdelire
Utsatte nes langs kysten
Speid fra nesene etter denne liren, som er endemisk for øygruppen, når den flyr forbi eller samler seg ute på havet.
Breeding season, seas permitting
Kappverdelire
Utsatte nes langs kysten
Speid mot nesene etter denne lille, mørke liren som trekker forbi ute på havet; røff sjø kan begrense sikten.
Wildlife is wild: sightings, courtship displays and nesting activity cannot be guaranteed. Species occur in different parts of the region, not at every landing.
Show all other animalsEvery shore tells a different story
Shore excursions worth planning around
These are examples of places and experiences, not a promised itinerary. Look for the actual landing names and included transfers in your ship’s day-by-day program.
02 · Lokal kulturarv
Mindelo
São Vicentes viktigste havneby byr på musikk, markeder og lokale kulturbesøk.
Sjekk tilgang, aktivitetsnivå og hva som er inkludert på din bekreftede reiserute.
03 · Guidet utforskning
Fogo-vulkanen
Fogos vulkanske landskap og Chã das Caldeiras krever egnet fottøy og en utflukt som er uttrykkelig inkludert i programmet.
Sjekk tilgang, aktivitetsnivå og hva som er inkludert på din bekreftede reiserute.
04 · Natur på land
Saltpannene på Sal
Sals landskap med saltpanner illustrerer øyas tørre miljø og historie med saltutvinning.
Sjekk tilgang, aktivitetsnivå og hva som er inkludert på din bekreftede reiserute.
05 · Øyopplevelser
Cidade Velha
En UNESCO-listet historisk bosetning på Santiago, som best utforskes med innsikt fra en lokal guide.
Sjekk tilgang, aktivitetsnivå og hva som er inkludert på din bekreftede reiserute.
06 · Høydepunkter på ruten
Sanddynene på Boa Vista
Vindformet sand og ørkenlignende kyster på Boa Vista
Sjekk tilgang, aktivitetsnivå og hva som er inkludert på din bekreftede reiserute.
Vulkansk opprinnelse
Hver øy forteller en unik historie om vulkanisme og erosjon, fra Fogos kjegle til eldre, forvitrede kyster.
Tørre øyer & grønne daler
Passatvinder, høyde over havet og sesongmessig regn påvirker kontrasten mellom tørre lavland og oppdyrkede daler.
Kultur & kystbevaring
Strender for egglegging og historiske bosetninger krever varsomme besøk, hensynsfull fotografering og lokal guiding.
Choose places before cabins
Which Cape Verde route is right for you?
Route labels vary between operators. Compare the actual ports, landings and shore programs, not just the regional name.
São Vicente & Santo Antão
Kombiner et havneanløp i Mindelo med fjellutflukter på Santo Antão, der transport er organisert.
Santiago & Fogo
Se etter kulturbesøk på Santiago og vulkanutflukter på Fogo.
De østlige øyene
Sal og Boa Vista byr på tørrere landskap og strender, med andre overfarter.
Your base between shore days
Cape Verde cruise ships
Explore the cruise ships already in our collection. Compare cabins, guest numbers and day-by-day routes; daily prices appear only when current pricing is available.
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Flights & arrival
How to get to Cape Verde
Fly into Sal (SID), Praia (RAI) or São Vicente (VXE), often via Lisbon.
SID
Flight gateway
Sal · Amílcar Cabral
Inter-island flights and ferries link to the embarkation island. Confirm the onward flight or harbour transfer from Sal with your operator before booking.
RAI
Flight gateway
Praia · Nelson Mandela
Inter-island flights and ferries link to the embarkation island. Confirm the onward flight or harbour transfer from Praia with your operator before booking.
VXE
Flight gateway
São Vicente · Cesária Évora
Inter-island flights and ferries link to the embarkation island. Confirm the onward flight or harbour transfer from São Vicente with your operator before booking.
Connections & onward transfers
Onward journey
Inter-island flights and ferries link to the embarkation island.
Before departure
Allow one buffer night, as inter-island schedules can change.
Arrive early, protect your departure
We recommend reaching the embarkation town at least one day before departure. Allow more time for remote destinations, separate flights, ferries or long transfers, and follow any earlier arrival or briefing required by your operator.
- Confirm the embarkation town, harbour meeting point and check-in time before buying flights.
- Ask which airport transfer, ferry or domestic connection is included in the cruise.
- Book flexible connections where possible and allow extra time for remote routes.
- The airports listed are alternatives for different routes, not confirmed flights for this ship. Check the port, meeting time and transfers in your final travel documents.
Flight schedules and entry requirements change. Confirm current arrangements with your operator before booking.
Before you set sail
A little preparation makes a big difference
Pack for the landings
- Grippy walking shoes and suitable footwear for wet landings
- Sun hat, high-protection sunscreen and refillable water bottle
- Light rain jacket and a wind layer for boat transfers
- Binoculars and a camera, with no flash around wildlife
- Personal medication and motion-sickness advice before departure
Respect the destination
- Follow local guides, landing permissions and protected-area rules
- Keep the required distance from wildlife and avoid nesting or resting areas
- Never feed or touch animals; do not collect natural objects
- Clean footwear and equipment before sensitive island landings
- Respect local dress, community invitations and photography permission
Discuss health, mobility and dietary needs before choosing a route. Remote areas may have limited medical facilities; travel insurance should cover your activities and any necessary evacuation.
Good to know
Cape Verde cruise questions
When is the best time for a Cape Verde cruise?
Dry, breezy and sunny: excellent for volcanic hikes, village visits and colourful markets across the islands. Short rainy spell brings humidity and greener valleys; most excursions still run. The climate chart describes Mindelo; conditions elsewhere on the route can differ.
Which Cape Verde route should I choose?
São Vicente & Santo Antão: Kombiner et havneanløp i Mindelo med fjellutflukter på Santo Antão, der transport er organisert. Santiago & Fogo: Se etter kulturbesøk på Santiago og vulkanutflukter på Fogo. De østlige øyene: Sal og Boa Vista byr på tørrere landskap og strender, med andre overfarter.
Are shore excursions included?
Check the inclusions and actual day-by-day program. Visits such as Santo Antão-dalene or Mindelo require the right route; park entry, transfers and optional activities may cost extra.
What wildlife can I see in Cape Verde?
The region supports species such as Uekte karett, Suppeskilpadde, Kappverdisk murgekko. Different species use different habitats; not every animal occurs at every port. Sightings are never guaranteed.
Do I need to be an experienced hiker?
Not necessarily, but uneven paths, steps and wet transfers can be demanding. Ask about the exact walking distances, terrain and assistance before choosing your voyage.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes. Weather, sea state, tides, ice, permits and wildlife protection can change landings. Your captain and expedition team determine safe alternatives.
What entry documents do I need for Cape Verde?
Your cruise visits Cape Verde. Visa requirements, electronic travel authorisations and passport-validity rules depend on your nationality and travel documents. Check the current official guidance linked below, including transit-country rules, before travelling.Official entry guidance
When should I arrive before the cruise?
Reach the confirmed embarkation town at least one day early, or earlier if your operator requires briefing nights. Allow extra time for domestic flights, ferries and remote gateways.