Cape Verde is an African country that has recently turned into a popular destination for exotic tourism. Endless white sand beaches and unusual lunar landscapes create all the conditions for an unforgettable vacation.
Most tourists travel to the islands of Sal and Boa Vista. But you should not be limited only to these areas. Below are the main attractions of Cape Verde and the most interesting attractions that you should pay attention to while relaxing in this country.
Beaches Sal and Boa Vista
Many tourists stay precisely on these islands of Cape Verde because of the favorable climate prevailing in these places. There is almost no rainfall, the weather is warm all year round, and sandy beaches can compete with the most popular resorts in the Caribbean.
On the island of Sal, you should definitely visit the coastal town of Santa Maria with a long sandy beach more than 1.5 km long. On the island of Boa Vista, one of the most popular places is the picturesque Estoril Bay, located south of Sal Ray, and the longer beach Praia Carlota, leading to the luxurious resort of Rio Carambo.
Kitesurfing and Windsurfing
Cape Verde is dominated by northeastern trade winds, particularly strong during the winter months. It is these winds that contribute to the creation of ideal conditions for practicing windsurfing and kitesurfing here in winter. The largest centers of these water sports are located on the island of Sal.
There is even a separate bay for kitesurfers, which usually hosts international competitions in this water sport. Also excellent kite spots with the ability to rent the necessary equipment can be found on the beaches of Boa Vista.
ATV excursions
The only most convenient option for traveling around Sal and Boa Vista, where there are only a few roads, and mostly desert areas with rocky plains and sand dunes, is predominantly a quad bike rental. On the island of Sal, you can visit the ruins of the Algodoeiro fortress and drive past the salt deposits of Pedre de Lume Salina. The best ATV excursions on Boa Vista are the intersection of the sand dunes of Chávez Beach and the rocky coast all the way to the Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck and a journey along the drained riverbed to the Fonte Vicente oasis.
Whale and Turtle Watching
The waters around Cape Verde are the humpback whale migration site. The observation season is from March to May. At this time, you can watch a lot of humpback whales and listen to their “songs” - specific sounds that attract these females to themselves.
Also, the islands of Cape Verde are known as the habitat of beautiful turtles - loggerhead (we strongly recommend that you follow the link). Here is the third largest population of these turtles in the world. On Sal and Boa Vista, organizations exist to protect these reptiles. You can visit such centers to find out more interesting information about the population of these turtles and to find out about places where they can be admired.
In Sal, you can go on excursion walks, allowing you to admire turtles during the breeding season. But on Boa Vista, when ordering a tour, you should make sure that the company offering them cooperates with the Turtle Foundation, which patrols local beaches, and has the appropriate permission to organize such eco-tours.
The main attractions of the island of Sal
Salt Crater Pedra de Lume
On the island of Sal, it is possible to swim in the crater of an extinct volcano. Such a unique experience can only be compared with immersion in the waters of the Dead Sea. The high salt content in the crater lake keeps everyone who plunges into it afloat. In addition, these mineral baths contribute to better health.
Blue Eye Buracons
This natural pool in a cave on the island of Sal is known to everyone as the “Blue Eye” and, having been there, you can understand how such a name appeared. With a calm sea, you can go down and plunge into the clear blue waters. In stormy weather, descent can be unsafe, but you can admire the spectacular sight, as majestic waves crash with a crash on the rocks, which are the walls of this natural pool.
Botanical garden with animals in Viveiro
This little-known oasis presents an impressive contrast to the lunar landscapes of Sal Island. Almost all plants that are found in Cape Verde grow in the gardens. For a small fee, you can stroll through this amazing oasis and admire the various animals that live on its territory, including friendly donkeys, goats, rabbits and peacocks.
Boat excursion on the boat "Neptunus"
On the bright yellow boat Neptunus, which has a transparent bottom, you can go for a walk near the coast of the island of Sal. Such an excursion involves visiting two shipwrecks and the underwater statue of Christ of the Seas.
Those wishing to go diving here should not forget that the sea near Cape Verde can be very turbulent.
Main Attractions Boa Vista
Sal rey
The capital of Boa Vista is the small city of Sal Rey, which has a population of only 6,000. But you should definitely visit this place, because there are many beaches, souvenir shops and inexpensive restaurants. In the evenings, live music is played in the main square of the city, where locals and tourists gather. But on hot days, beach clubs with access to the Praia do Estoril private beach become the most attractive holiday destinations. Here you can find club venues for every taste, from Boa Vista Social Club with beach loungers in the sand and electronic music that sounds there to Morabeza, the favorite place for kitesurfers to relax.
Shipwreck
One of the most popular excursions to Boa Vista is to visit the shipwreck of the Cabo Santa Maria freighter, where you can admire the rusty skeleton of a ship stranded here in 1968. It is best to book an ATV tour that will include a trip through the beach dunes with a visit to this island attraction.
Such a walk will allow you to admire the most contrasting landscapes of Boa Vista: heather trees against the backdrop of desert rocky landscapes and sand dunes of beaches. At the end of the journey, you can see the rusted remains of the ship with the best-preserved skeleton. The waves on the northern coast of the island are quite strong, and it is especially interesting to watch how they break on the obstacle encountered on the way in the form of a rusty hull of the vessel.
Other Cape Verde Islands
Fogu
Day trips to Fogu are offered both on Sal Island and on Boa Vista. Translated from Portuguese, the name of this island of Cape Verde means “fire”, which serves as a vivid reminder of the presence of the country's only active volcano here so far. The top of Fogu majestically rises above the island. You can climb it, which will take about 6 hours. If such an active holiday seems too extreme, then you can simply enjoy your vacation on the black sand beaches and take a walk among the colorful houses of the city of Cova Figueira.
Santiago
This is the largest island of the archipelago, on which is the capital of the state - Praia. If you want to get the most vivid idea of Cape Verde, then this is the best place among all the islands. The landscapes of this island are represented by all the characteristic natural features of other islands. There are picturesque beaches and valleys, as well as impressive volcanic landscapes.
Santo Antao
Unlike other islands of the archipelago, Santo Antan attracts tourists with amazingly picturesque landscapes with emerald vegetation, canyons, gorges and valleys. This is the best place in West Africa for exotic tourism.
Sao vicente
If you want to get the most vivid idea of the culture of Cape Verde, then you should go to this island. Mindelo is considered the cultural center of the country. This picturesque city in the Mediterranean style is the birthplace of the Morne and the most famous performer of this style of music - Cesaria Evora, whose name is known not only in Cape Verde, but throughout the world. But in modern bars now you can increasingly hear Brazilian pop music, but, as before, it mostly sounds live performance. It is especially interesting to visit the February carnival or music festival, which takes place on the full moon in August right on the city beach.
Posted by Skywriter13