Cape Verde · ISLAND DAY TRIPS

The 15 Best Island Day Trips in Cape Verde

26 tours  ·  from $32 a head

One vehicle, one guide, and everything an island has in a day. The 15 below cover the full loops on Sal, Boa Vista, Santiago and São Vicente, priced and clear on lunch, pickups and how long you actually stop.

Praia: Santiago Island Tour with Tastings and Tarrafal Beach - The morning starts with cuscuz, fidjós, and a family welcome
Island Day Trips, Island Day Trips in Santiago, Tarrafal Beach Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Santiago

Praia: Santiago Island Tour with Tastings and Tarrafal Beach

1.Santiago Island Tour with Tastings and Tarrafal Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 416 reviews · 7 - 8 hours · from $76Our pick

Travel from Praia across Santiago with Bu Country Tours, meeting a local family for cuscuz and fidjós, visiting Assomada Market on Wednesdays or Saturdays, crossing Serra Malagueta, and swimming at Tarrafal Beach. Guides such as Ricardo, Elton, Ivana, and Bamba may lead the day. Lunch is extra, and the route suits active visitors without mobility limitations.

“It was amazing, we have seen the countryside, villages, the mountains, the beach, tasted delicious local food. The island Santiago is so beautiful, and the guides are great, speak several languages, and have a lot of information to share.”

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4h SSV Buggy Island Adventure - 1000cc or 500cc - Palmeira gives the route a human face
Island Day Trips, Island Day Trips in Sal, Quad & Buggy Tours, Quad and Buggy Tours in Sal, Tour Reviews, Tours in Sal

4h SSV Buggy Island Adventure – 1000cc or 500cc

2.4h SSV Buggy Island Adventure – 1000cc or 500cc

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 363 reviews Top rated

Drive a 500cc or 1000cc automatic buggy across Sal with a local guide such as Chips, Zé, Valdir, Freddy, or Joseph. In four hours, you’ll visit Murdeira, Palmeira, Regona’s natural pool, Terra Boa, Pedra de Lume, Feijoal’s lemon sharks, and Serra Negra. Hotel pickup, safety gear, and water are included.

“Tour sur l’île de Sal en buggy au top. Nous avons pu voir les différents endroits de l’île à ne pas loupé. Expérience à faire absolument si vous venez à Sal .”

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From Port of Praia: Island Tour for Cruise Ship passengers - Leaving Praia for São Domingos
Cruises & Boat Tours, Island Day Trips, Island Day Trips in Santiago, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Santiago

From Port of Praia: Island Tour for Cruise Ship passengers

3.Island Tour for Cruise Ship passengers

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

Spend seven hours touring Santiago Island from the Port of Praia in a small group of up to 10. Visit Serra Malagueta, swim at Tarrafal, stop in mountain villages, and share music, dancing, and local food with a Cape Verdean family. Guides may include Zanthony or Juan.

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

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Santiago Island Tour: Meet with a Local Family & Tarrafal Beach - Assomada Market on the right day
Island Day Trips, Island Day Trips in Santiago, Tarrafal Beach Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Santiago

Santiago Island Tour: Meet with a Local Family & Tarrafal Beach

4.Santiago Island Tour: Meet with a Local Family & Tarrafal Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 127 reviews · from $103

Spend eight hours crossing Santiago from Praia with a small group of up to 15 people. Cook cuscuz and fidjós with Mama Luisa, visit Assomada Market, stop in Serra de Malagueta, swim at Tarrafal Beach, and return along the east coast with guides such as Alex, Maria, Ivana, or Ricardo.

“The tour guides were amazing and so lovely. They had a lot of knowledge and were able to answer any questions we asked. The whole process was very professional and easy to book so I would highly recommend anyone using this company!”

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Boa Vista: 2-Hour Buggy 1000cc North Island Adventure - From the base to Via Pitoresca
2-Hour Experiences, Island Day Trips, Quad & Buggy Tours, Quad and Buggy Tours in Boa Vista, Tour Reviews, Tours in Boa Vista

Boa Vista: 2-Hour Buggy 1000cc North Island Adventure

5.2-Hour Buggy 1000cc North Island Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 113 reviews

Join No-Limits Adventure for a two-hour north Boa Vista outing in a powerful 4x4 side-by-side buggy. You’ll receive a safety briefing, helmet, goggles, overalls, water, and a local guide. The route runs through Via Pitoresca, Cabo Santa Maria’s shipwreck beach, the Viana Desert, and Ponta do Sol. Guides may include Mario, Djeu, Giovanni, or Josiel.

“The best trip we’ve ever been on! The guys were helpful, informative & really friendly. They helped us with our overalls, helmets & scarfs and made sure to tell us everything we needed to know! The tour itself , wow, stunning. We loved every minute of it you see so much! The views are unbelievable. They have their own photographer who follows u all through the tour, the photos are so good you have to get them at the end! It’s so worth it! We would do the trip again today if we could . Thanks so much Harriet & Jack x”

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Full Day Island Tour, São Vicente, Mindelo, Highlights - Mindelo begins with forts, markets, and music
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Full Day Island Tour, São Vicente, Mindelo, Highlights

6.Full Day Island Tour, São Vicente, Mindelo, Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 109 reviews · 6 hours · from $82

Spend six hours touring São Vicente from Mindelo with a multilingual guide such as Sonia, Danny, Paulo, Rui, or Carlos. Walk through Mindelo, visit markets, climb Monte Verde, see Salamansa and Calhau, swim at Baía das Gatas, and stop for a local lunch. Most travel is by van, with short walks and scenic stops.

“very good way to see Mindelo and island of São Vicente.”

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Island tour with German-speaking guide for cruise guests - São Lourenço dos Órgãos and the first taste of Batuque
Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, Island Day Trips, Island Day Trips in Santiago, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Santiago

Island tour with German-speaking guide for cruise guests

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

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

Spend five hours touring Santiago Island with a German-speaking local guide such as Luisa or Louisa, depending on the assigned guide. You will visit Picos, Assomada, Serra Malagueta, Calheta, Santa Cruz, and Praia, with a Batuque dance session and port pickup included. Food and drinks cost extra.

“Hervorragende Insel-Tourguide Louisa (deutsch) - informativ, lustig, offener Umgang”

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Island Adventure with Shark Experience from Santa Maria - Murdeira offers water, coral, and Monte Leão
Island Day Trips, Island Day Trips in Sal, Shark Watching, Tour Reviews, Tours in Sal

Island Adventure with Shark Experience from Santa Maria

8.Island Adventure with Shark Experience from Santa Maria

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 88 reviews · from $50

Spend about seven hours touring Sal by 4WD from Santa Maria with a local guide. Visit Murdeira, Espargos, Palmeira, Buracona, Terra Boa, and Pedra de Lume, then wade near lemon sharks at Parda Bay. Guides such as Jon, Djon, Danison, and Hamlet have led this trip. Bring water shoes, sunscreen, swimwear, and dry clothes.

“Our tour guide could not have been a nicer guy and made sure we were looked after. He was a local guy so knew lots about the island. Enjoyed seeing all of the sights but our favourite was the sharks and the salt mine where we floated in the water. Thanks guys.”

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Half-Day Sal Island Tour with Shark Experience from Santa Maria - Murdeira Bay and the sleeping lion
Half-Day, Island Day Trips, Island Day Trips in Sal, Shark Watching, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sal

Half-Day Sal Island Tour with Shark Experience from Santa Maria

9.Half-Day Sal Island Tour with Shark Experience from Santa Maria

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · from $40

Travel from Santa Maria with a guide such as Mamadu or Mamadou for a four-hour look at Sal beyond the resort zone. You’ll visit Murdeira, Palmeira, Espargos, Ponta Preta, Buracona, Pedra de Lume, Terra Boa, and Shark Bay. Hotel pickup, transport, and a professional guide are included, while entrance fees, food, and water shoes cost extra.

“La bonne humeur de Mamadou et sa disponibilité ! Ensuite le faite d’être en petit comité c’est plus sympa 😊”

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Full Day Island Tour, Highlights of São Vicente - Mindelo’s cultural center and Diogo Alfonso
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Full Day Island Tour, Highlights of São Vicente

10.Full Day Island Tour, Highlights of São Vicente

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · from $81

Explore São Vicente with a local guide such as Danny, Lino, Raquel, or Carlos on a six-hour small-group tour. Visit Mindelo’s markets, Monte Verde’s 750-meter summit, Baía das Gatas, and Calhau. Hotel pickup, transport, and tea or coffee are included, while lunch needs checking before you book.

“Journée incroyable en compagnie de Rachel et son chauffeur. Nous avons découvert le coeur de Sao Vicente, la chaleur de ses habitants et la cuisine généreuse de ce pays. C'est la troisième île que nous avons visité au Cap Vert et cette visite fût la plus mémorable. Je vous conseille vraiment cette journée de découverte”

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4h ATV 500cc 4x4 Quad Island Adventure - Fontona and the fishing village of Palmeira
Island Day Trips, Island Day Trips in Sal, Quad & Buggy Tours, Quad and Buggy Tours in Sal, Tour Reviews, Tours in Sal

4h ATV 500cc 4×4 Quad Island Adventure

11.4h ATV 500cc 4×4 Quad Island Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews

Drive a 500cc 4x4 quad from Santa Maria with a local guide, stopping at Murdeira, Palmeira, Buracona, Terra Boa, Pedra de Lume, Shark Bay, and Sal’s beaches. You get instruction, helmet, glasses, belt, suit, water, and hotel transfers. Bring your original driving license and closed shoes.

“Best trip I've ever been on and I'm 57 so I've been on a few. Everything about this trip was amazing . And the guides were so so good. They really put in so much effort to help. This was a faultless day I will never forget for as long as I live. There iRead more”

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Half Day Island Tour, Sao Vicente, 4h - Mindelo markets show the island at work
Island Day Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in São Vicente

Half Day Island Tour, Sao Vicente, 4h

12.Half Day Island Tour, Sao Vicente, 4h

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · from $63

This four-hour São Vicente tour combines Mindelo landmarks, fish and produce markets, a drive up 774-meter Monte Verde, village life in Salamansa, and a swim at Baía das Gatas. Expect a local guide, private transportation, hotel pickup in Mindelo, and a small group of up to 15 people. Guides include Danny, Carlos, Sonia, Jaime, and Hernany.

“The company's owner was out guide, spoke an excellent English and was very knowledgeable and committed. Awesome tour where personal preferences were responded to.”

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Sal Island: 4-Hour Buggy Island Tour - From Santa Maria to Murdeira Bay
Island Day Trips, Island Day Trips in Sal, Quad & Buggy Tours, Quad and Buggy Tours in Sal, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sal

Sal Island: 4-Hour Buggy Island Tour

13.4-Hour Buggy Island Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · 4 hours · from $305

Drive a 1000cc side-by-side buggy across Sal with a local guide, stopping at Regona’s natural pool, Terra Boa’s mirage, Pedra de Lume, Shark Bay, Kite Beach, and Santa Maria’s salt flats. The small group is capped at 10, with fuel, water, safety gear, and Santa Maria hotel pickup available.

“Haal en breng service vanaf hotel in santa maria was top! Gids giovanni deed het super leuk!”

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Half Day Island Tour, Best of São Vicente, Highlights - Mindelo’s Markets, From Fish to Fresh Produce
Island Day Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in São Vicente

Half Day Island Tour, Best of São Vicente, Highlights

14.Half Day Island Tour, Best of São Vicente, Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 54 reviews · 4 hours · from $64

Spend four hours exploring São Vicente with a local guide and driver. Visit Mindelo’s markets and cultural center, see Fortim do Rei, ride to 774-meter Monte Verde for tea or coffee, stop in Salamansa, and swim at Baía das Gatas. Pickup in Mindelo, multilingual guides, and transport are included.

“This tour exceeded our expectations. We saw the majority of top sites in Sao Vicente in the time allotted. Had we not taken a tour, we would never have realized how beautiful the city and island are. The tour company is extremely well organized. They communicated with us several times before we docked at the cruise terminal. They met us just outside the terminal door, checked us in, and then assigned us in groups to 9-passenger vans. Our guide and driver were both excellent. Our guide, Jaimie, was knowledgeable, affable, and passionate about his island. He shared his vast knowledge of his country's history and current conditions. He answered every…”

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Santo Antão: Full Day Island Tour & Visit to Cova de Paúl - Delgadin and the stone towers above Ribeira da Torre
Full-Day, Island Day Trips, Santo Antão Valley Hikes, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Santo Antão

Santo Antão: Full Day Island Tour & Visit to Cova de Paúl

15.Full Day Island Tour & Visit to Cova de Paúl

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 54 reviews · 7 hours · from $106

Spend seven hours crossing Santo Antão by road, from the 1,000-meter Cova de Paúl crater to Fontainhas, Ponta de Sol, and the green Paúl Valley. You will stop for photos, meet fishermen, eat lunch at a local restaurant, and taste grogue. Guides may include Riva, Mitch Adams, Itza, Ivan, or Maira.

“Nous avons passé une excellente journée grâce à notre adorable guide Riva et à ses multiples compétences, tant sur l’histoire , la culture, l’agriculture , etc. de l’île . Merci”

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New in Island Day Trips

★ 5.04×4 Island Tour, Santa Monica, Dune, Caves & LunchFrom $13515 reviews
★ 3.5Boa Vista Full Day 4×4 Island Tour with Beachfront LunchFrom $1174 reviews
★ 4.5Full-Day Island Tour in Santo Antão with Lunch IncludedFrom $11814 reviews
★ 4.8Cidade Velha, Tarrafal & East Side Island TourFrom $14123 reviews
★ 5.0Island tour with offroad touch and creative picturesFrom $10034 reviews

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Quad & Buggy Tours32Viana Desert & Dunes21Salt Lake & Pedra de Lume13Blue Eye & Buracona5
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Out across the archipelago

Pick an island, a crater or a stretch of water.

In the water

Shark BayTurtle NightsSnorkellingCatamaransDiving

On the road

Buggies and QuadsIsland DaysViana DesertSanta MonicaTarrafal

Craters and cliffs

Pico do FogóPedra de LumeThe Blue EyeSanto Antão ValleysWalking Days

Towns

Cidade VelhaTown WalksFood and GrogueWorkshops