Cape Verde · 1-DAY TOURS
The 15 best 1-day tours you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is there for a reason, so start at the top.
See Santiago’s farming villages, Assomada Market, Serra Malagueta, Tarrafal Beach, and the east coast in one small-group day. Guides such as Alex, José, Bravo, and Antonio add local history, music, food tips, and plenty of photo stops. Lunch and drinks cost extra.
“Excellent day out with a knowledgeable guide and a very friendly driver”
Travel across Sal with a local guide such as Kiki, Chan, Jackson, or Kristian. Visit Santa Maria, Buracona, Palmeira, Shark Bay, and Pedra de Lume, with lunch, swimming, island history, off-road roads, and guide-shot photos included.
“the Guide was very friendly, complete with the explanations and spoke very well. definitely worth the price paid”
Spend eight hours seeing Sal with a local guide, from Ponta Preta’s black rocks to Buracona’s Blue Eye, Terra Boa’s mirage, lemon sharks, and Pedra de Lume’s salt lake. Hotel pickup, transport, a guide, lunch, and one drink are included on the group tour.
“Deze tour zou ik echt iedereen willen aanraden die naar Sal gaat. Je kijkt je ogen uit, vanaf het moment dat je opgehaald wordt totdat je weer terug bij je ophaalpunt bent. Complimenten aan onze tour guide Antonio D. want hij wist op alle vragen antwoord te geven en maakte zelfs grapjes als: kom we gaan nú zwemmen (bij Miragem/Fata Morgana). En dat in 4 verschillende talen! 👌🏼”
Travel from Mindelo to Santo Antão by ferry, then cross the island with a local guide. See Cova de Paúl, the Corda Road, Delgadinho, Ponta de Sol, Ribeira Grande and Vale de Paúl. Guides may include Maira, Riva or Lea, with hotel pickup, port transfers and lunch time included.
“Très belle journée. Notre guide Riva parle très bien français et nous a donné toutes les explications sur le cap vert et son île Je recommande , très belle île luxuriante”
Leave Mindelo before sunrise for Santo Antão with a local guide such as Madu or Danni. Ride the Old Mountain Road to Cova de Paúl, visit Pico da Cruz, Delgadinho, Ribeira Grande, Ponta do Sol, and Paúl, then return by the New Coastal Road. Lunch costs extra.
“Foi um dia maravilhoso! As paisagens são de cortar a respiração. Mas o melhor de tudo são mesmo as pessoas. Já tinha lido boas referências sobre o Madu, o nosso guia, mas superou todas as nossas expectativas. Tão simpático e atento às necessidades de cada um e à gestão do grupo. Mais do que um guia turístico, Madu revelou-se um extraordinário guia cultural, dando-nos a conhecer não só os ambientes mas a forma de vida das suas gentes. O orgulho colocado no seu património natural e humano e no percurso de desenvolvimento desta nação contagia e fez-nos crescer o respeito e a empatia com um povo que vive feliz com…”
Cross from Mindelo to Santo Antão by ferry, then tour the island’s mountain roads with a local guide such as Madu or Danny. See Cova Crater, Pico da Cruz, Ribeira Grande, Ponta do Sol, Paúl, and a grogue distillery. Choose a scenic car tour or ask about a walking option.
“I had an absolutely wonderful time on this tour of Santo Antão. The tour was very well organised and was led by Madu, a native of Santo Antão who is super knowledgeable and passionate about his island. I would encourage everyone traveling through Cabo Verde to visit SaRead more”
Travel across Santiago from Praia in about six hours, combining Assomada, Serra Malagueta, Tarrafal, and the Calheta de São Miguel coast. Expect an air-conditioned vehicle, a certified guide, and a small group of up to 12. Guides have included José, Antonio, Edson, Orlando, and Manuel.
“Our guide Jose was just fabulous. We had a wonderful time going around the whole island experiencing all this lovely island had to offer. The food, drink, music, scenery, views, people etc. Our driver was great too, we truly had a blast. Thanks Jose & Viator.”
Spend eight hours crossing Santiago Island by minibus, from Praia and Picos to Assomada, Serra Malagueta, Tarrafal, and the east coast. A local guide, including guides such as Ricardo, explains Cape Verdean culture, food, nature, and daily life. Lunch is extra, and cruise-terminal pickup is included.
“Interesting overview of Santiago Island. our Guide Ricardo was very friendly and informative, giving lots of background information, and we felt safe with our driver.”
Travel privately from Santa Maria with a guide and driver to Sal’s main sights. Walk among harmless lemon sharks, visit Buracona, explore Palmeira and Espargos, then float in the salt lagoons of Pedra de Lume. Guide service is available in English, French, or Portuguese.
“Muito boa experiencia mas o carro era pequeno, um pequeno citadino nada adaptado para o percurso (Reserva visita privada com 2 adultos e um bebe) O guia e o motorista foram 5 estrelas !”
Join Boa Vista Tours for a three-hour whale-watching trip from Sal Rei, with hotel pickup, a Zodiac boat, and a local marine biologist guide. From February to May, humpback whales gather near Boa Vista to mate and give birth. Sightings are likely, but wild animals set the schedule.
“We hebben meerdere walvissen gezien en daarnaast het gezang van walvissen gehoord. Heel bijzonder. er werd veel informatie gegeven gedurende de tour.”
See Sal with a local guide in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. The route covers beaches, Murdeira, Espargos, Terra Boa, Buracona, Palmeira, Pedra de Lume, and a lunch stop. Snorkeling gear and transport are included. Ask if Jhon, Esmael, Cula, or another named guide is available.
“We went on a private Sal island tour with 4 persons with guide Jhon today. We had a great experience. We would like to thank Jhon again for the amazing day. If you’re going to Sal, I would absolutely recommend to book the island tour and ask especially for him 🙏. Also had amazing fish at our lunch stop. Thank you Jhon, and Ola tours for the amazing day 🫶🏼”
Travel privately from Santa Maria with a local guide to Shark Bay, Pedra de Lume’s salt crater, and Buracona’s Blue Eye. Guides such as Djibril, Eddy, and Grace have been praised for attentive service. Bring water shoes, swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel.
“Excellent visit, attentive guide Djibril, cool and safe driver Eddy, sharks there! everything is truly magical in this island of Sal 😃👍🌞”
Cross from Mindelo to Santo Antão by ferry, then hike downhill from Cova de Paúl through farms and villages to Cabo de Ribeira. Guides such as Madu, Sonia, and Danny explain local life, plants, and culture. The day also includes a local restaurant lunch stop and a grogue distillery.
“Unser Guide Madù war wirklich überaus freundlich und zuvorkommend. Er konnte mit seinem Wissen überzeugen und wirklich alle Fragen zu Kultur, Flora & Fauna beantworten. Er ist voll und ganz auf unsere Bedürfnisse eingegangen und hat die Tour somit zu einem herausragenden Erlebnis gemacht.”
Travel from São Filipe to Cova Figueira, Mosteiros, and Salinas de São José with a local guide. You’ll see lava from the 1951 eruption, learn about Fogo coffee, buy lunch, and swim in clear seawater pools. Guide Elmar has been praised for his local knowledge, but confirm your language when booking.
“The guide and driver were really nice and gave us a lot of interesting information about Fogo, Plants, agriculture, coffee, customs, social aspects and animals. We also tried cashew fruit which was very interesting. The swim in the saline was also fun. The water has a high visibility so I recommend a scuba mask if you wanna explore underwater. Definitely recommend this.”
You’ll leave Ribeira Grande for a four-hour guided hike from Faja da Cima through terraces, villages, sugar cane, and fruit trees. Expect a waterfall, natural pool, and a local grogue distillery. João has guided at least one outing, and English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish are available.
“João was an excellent guide, the chat with local people, the scenary”
Pick an island, a boat or a dune.
