The 15 Best Boat Trips in Cape Verde

1.All-Inclusive Half-Day Lounge Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 486 reviews · 4 hours · from $81Our pick

Sail Sal’s west coast aboard the Lounge Catamaran Sodade, limited to 60 people despite room for 90. You’ll get hotel transfers, towels, snacks, unlimited beer and soft drinks, snorkeling gear, swimming, fishing, and a lively return with Cape Verdean music and dancing. Guides speak five languages.

“The trip was well organised. All the staff were polite,and left you feeling happy. We were extremely lucky too see whales on our trip. Overall an amazing enjoyable boat trip.”

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2.3-hour Catamaran Adventure on the waters of Sal Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 349 reviews · 3 hours · from $69

Sail Sal’s coast with Cape Verde Sailing on a relaxed 3-hour catamaran trip for small groups. Expect drinks, light snacks, a short swim or snorkel stop, and possible wildlife sightings. Crews may include Daisy, Wesley, Jair, Marcio, or Anna, with hotel pickup available.

“Super friendly crew. Anna, Joseph and Stephan (hope I didn’t get name wrong) Look after us from the start, drinks, dolphins very chatty and did everything they can to make it special experience. Anna was absolutely fantastic. Thank you guys to make it so special. Not many people on the catamaran make massive difference as well. Snorkelling and sweet pastries at the end of the trip. Highly recommended.”

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3.Lounge Catamaran SODADE Half-Day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 295 reviews · from $71Top rated

Sail from Palmeira aboard the spacious SODADE catamaran for about four hours. Expect hotel pickup, a stop near Monte Leão in Murdeira Bay, swimming, optional masks, snacks, unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks, plus a lively musical return with crew members such as Alina, Rony, and Lucy.

“Very friendly crew, good drinks and snacks. The ride was totally enjoyable, we had fun. Choppy seas around Sal aren't a problem for Sodade.”

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4.Catamaran Half Day – Beautiful day on the Atlantic Ocean

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 260 reviews · from $68

From Santa Maria, you’ll spend about three hours aboard a catamaran along Sal’s southwest coast. Daisy, Wesley, and the crew keep the mood friendly while you swim, snorkel, sunbathe, enjoy drinks and local snacks, and watch for dolphins, turtles, and whales.

“Had a blast, sailing with the cats on the CATamaran! :) We had the luck to travel along the dolphins for good 10-15 minutes.”

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5.Lounge Catamaran SODADE Half-Day (Adults Only)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 232 reviews · from $79

Spend four hours aboard the adults-only SODADE catamaran from Santa Maria. Sail from Palmeira to Murdeira Bay, swim by Monte Leao, use the floating pool, snorkel or fish, and enjoy included beer, wine, soft drinks, snacks, and live crew entertainment.

“Great afternoon, the crew were very entertaining. Would definitely recommend. Beer, fizz and soft drinks. Light lunch was sandwiches, pizza, crisps, olives”

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6.Snorkeling Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 213 reviews · 2 hours · from $44

Join Nando, a Santa Maria local, for a two-hour boat snorkeling trip to the Caldeirinha shipwreck and underwater Christ statue. You get a guide, skipper, mask, fins, vest, and local help in several languages. Turtles are promised, though sea conditions can affect visibility.

“Nando and his crew are awesome. They put alot of effort into looking after clients, being very safe and their local knowledge is awesome. They guaranteed turtles and we got turtles. Shipwreck and reef snorkel was way above expectations and lastly, the jesus statue under the water was a sight to behold. We can't recommend them high enough. Don't waste your time with others, just go with Nando and his crew. Very highly recommend”

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7.From Port of Praia: Island Tour for Cruise Ship passengers

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 190 reviews · 7 hours · from $82

Spend seven hours touring Santiago from the Port of Praia, with a guide such as Zanthony or Juan, mountain villages, Serra Malagueta, Tarrafal beach, and a Cape Verdean music and dance visit with a local family.

“gut , länger als geplant ,hätte es für uns nicht gebraucht”

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8.Sal Island All-inclusive Adults-only Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 163 reviews · 4 hours · from $81

Sail from Palmeira along Sal’s west coast on a new adults-only catamaran. Maria and the friendly crew keep the mood relaxed, with drinks, snacks, music, and a swim stop near Monte Leão. Pickup, towels, and an onboard cava toast are included.

“A atividade foi espectacular! Desde o início até ao final ! Animação a todo o tempo ! Enaltecer a Cláudia que teve uma energia 5 estrelas . Recomendo a 100%”

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9.Sailing yacht half day- with Cape Verde Sailing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 138 reviews · from $68

Spend three hours aboard Lucy with Cape Verde Sailing, leaving from Santa Maria’s pier in a group of up to eight. Swim, sunbathe, and snorkel when conditions allow, while the crew serves snacks and drinks. Guides including Daniel, Bruno, Ricardo, and Reuben have earned praise for friendly, attentive service.

“Great experience with great skippers/guide! Can fully recommend for a good experience especially with friends”

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10.Island tour with German-speaking guide for cruise guests

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 91 reviews · 5 hours · from $88

Meet Luisa or another German-speaking local guide at Praia Port for a five-hour island circuit. Visit Picos, Assomada, Serra Malagueta, Calheta, Santa Cruz, and Praia, with a Batuque dance session and port drop-off. Transport, guide, and water are not included.

“Rund um hat es meine Erwartungen sehr gut erfüllt.”

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11.Full day Sailing yacht – Beautiful day on the Atlantic Ocean

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · from $150

Spend about six and a half hours aboard Lucy, a comfortable sailing yacht off Santa Maria. With a small group of up to eight, you’ll have time for relaxed sailing, snorkeling, lunch, snacks, an open bar, and wildlife watching, with crew such as Alica, Delphi, Bruno, and Marcio caring for the boat.

“Perfect, wat een mooie dag zeilen en chillen. Lekker ontspannend, beetje verbrand door de steeds aanwezige Kaapverdische zon. Een mooie lunch, en als afsluiting een kaasplank. Top day sailing. Thanks guys.”

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12.Boa Vista Adults-Only Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 49 reviews · from $97

Spend about three hours aboard the Gelidonya from Sal Rei harbour, sailing past Boa Vista’s beaches with music, drinks, homemade snacks, swimming, water games, and shaded or sunny seating. Yasmin has hosted this cruise, but confirm the vessel and meeting details before booking.

“We thought this boat trip was great, sun, sea, nice snacks and unlimited drinks made the experience totally worth doing. Also, Yasmin our guide was so friendly and a great host, so would highly recommend.”

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13.Boat Trip, Snorkeling, Cave & BBQ on the Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 45 reviews · 7 hours · from $129

From Praia, ride to Ribeira da Barca, then take a traditional fishing boat past volcanic rock and Pilon de Achada Leite to Águas Belas cave. Swim and snorkel if sea conditions allow, then eat fish barbecue on a black-sand beach. Guides speak English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.

“Our driver and guide were great. Activity said snorkeling but there were 6 people and 3 snorkels. The swimming and snorkeling were over the side of the boat in the cave we only stayed for about 15 mins. The current was a bit rough and it was only large rocks to see. BBQ was tasty but beach is very rocky (recommend water shoes) and dirty with no good place to sit. Does seem typical. Overall trip was great but felt expensive.”

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14.Day trip by minibus for cruise passengers

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 38 reviews · 8 hours · from $82

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.”

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15.Snorkeling Experience in Santa Maria Bay by boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 34 reviews · from $34Best value

Join Atlantic Star at 2:00 pm for a 40-minute Zodiac boat trip in Santa Maria Bay. Your guide provides mask, snorkel, and fins, explains safe use, and leads you to spots known for tropical fish and sea turtles. Hotel pickup and drop-off may be available.

“We took this trip even thoug I'm not that good a swimmer. The guides helped me all the time. We saw two turtels and a lot of fish”

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