Cape Verde · SNORKELING
Warm water, good visibility and turtles that are used to people. These 13 cover the reef trips off Santa Maria and the turtle drops out of Mindelo, priced, timed and clear on whether gear and a wetsuit are included.
Join Cabo Verde Diving for a two-hour boat snorkeling trip from Santa Maria. Guides such as Adi, Daniel, Wesley, Eddie, and Franco have helped beginners explore reefs near Farol and the bay, where you may see turtles, rays, eels, tropical fish, coral, and a shallow wreck.
“Very well organised. Great health and safety. Saw beautiful fish and ship wreck was amazing! We would do that again next time we visit.”
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”
Meet your guide in Mindelo, ride to São Pedro, and take a short boat trip to a turtle site. You get snorkeling gear, safety guidance, and about an hour in the water. Guides such as Soraya and Eddie have helped first-time snorkelers feel at ease. Pickup and drop-off are included.
“Our guide, Eddie, was incredibly helpful, kind, and patient. He guided us close to the turtles and stayed with us. It was my first time and I would definitely do it again !”
Join Diving Center Riamar for a two-hour snorkeling trip in Sal Rei Bay. A short boat ride reaches Djeu Island or the Zans wreck, where shallow water suits beginners. Afterward, stroll Djeu Island, see its lighthouse and Portuguese-era cannons, and relax on the sand.
“Yesterday I waited half an hour for the driver to come pick me up. When the program organizer finally called me back, they said the program was canceled, didn't they tell me? They didn't say anything. I was supposed to go today but again no communication, I want my money back and the time I wasted!!! This is a scam!”
Spend four hours at Gatas Bay with guide José or another multilingual Creolo Tour guide. Snorkel a calm, shallow reef, look for tropical fish and lemon sharks, then enjoy goat cheese, pastries, beer, grogue, or ponche in Fundo das Figueiras.
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.”
From Mindelo, you’ll ride to São Pedro, board a local fishermen’s boat, and snorkel with sea turtles in clear coastal water. The small group is limited to 12, with English, Portuguese, or French guidance. Turtle sightings are guaranteed year-round, though contact time follows a 25-minute legal limit.
“Unforgettable experience. Richard was lovely tour guide and spoke English very well. Tour was as described. Pick up was perfectly on time. Transfer to beach was smooth. We saw 6+ turtles. Sting ray, puffer fish and lots of other fish. Transfer back to town was smooth. Thanks for a great experience.”
From Santa Maria, you take a short boat ride to a reef 3 to 6 meters deep. A guide stays with you for about 45 minutes in the water, pointing out soldier fish, snappers, parrot fish, rays, moray eels, turtles, and the shallow Calderinhia wreck.
“It was a great experience, the instructors were very nice and helpful. We saw lots of animals and a we saw a turtle which was really nice :)”
Explore Santa Maria Bay by boat with Taruga Sal Tours and a local guide such as Alexandre. You’ll receive equipment, safety advice, and beginner-friendly instruction before snorkeling over reefs and a shallow wreck where fish gather. Bring water, sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel.
“Foi tudo muito bom. A simpatia do Alexandre foi contagiante. Senti-me sempre muito à vontade com a experiência que ele demonstrou. Como ponto menos positivo o facto dos óculos de mergulho não vedarem bem”
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”
Join local guide Nando from Santa Maria for a boat snorkelling trip to the Ponta Sino shipwreck and underwater Christ statue. You get a wetsuit, mask, fins, life jacket, photos, and videos, with patient help for beginners and two hours in the water.
“'entreprise dangereuse d'abord tu te déshabilles dans la rue le matériel laisse a désirer et c'est dans une poubelle. tu embarque de la plage à la nage jusque au bateau. aucune sécurité n'est respecté. le responsable Mr Nando fait croire qu'il va venir et ne vient pas. on est parti avec deux jeunes ados qui sûrement connaissent le lieux mais un est dans le bateau l'autre devant le groupe deux personnes ont paniqué j'en ai ramener une et la deuxième a paniqué car son tuba a cassé le matériel étant défectueux. il dit que l'activité est accessible au personne de mobilité réduite c'est impossible il dit vu de tortue garantie…”
Spend about five hours on a private boat from Sal Rei, fishing along Boa Vista’s Estoril coast, then stopping at Djeu for snorkelling, beach time, and a barbecue made with your catch. The captain is a lifelong island resident, and rods and safety gear are provided.
“Excellent from start to finish... we had communication the full time from yara who text us let us know what to expect and when our taxi had arrived on the morning of excursion. We travelled around 20 minutes to the boat. Taxi driver was lovely and made you feel really relaxRead more”
From Mindelo, drive 15 minutes to São Pedro, board a fishing boat, and swim beside Carreta sea turtles in their natural bay. Guides such as Hernani, Diego, André, and Lulu may assist with transport, safety, snorkeling, and videos. Groups are limited to 10, though other boats may share the water.
“Bellissima esperienza. Nuotare in mezzo a queste creature è stato davvero stupendo. C'erano 6-7 tartarughe che stavano lì girando intorno senza paura, è stato possibile sia fotografarle che fare video. Hernani (driver) e Diego (in barca) sono davvero simpatici e ci hanno fatto sentire a nostro agio. Lo rifarei senza dubbio”
Pick an island, a boat or a dune.
