The 15 Best Snorkelling Trips in Cape Verde

1.Guided Snorkeling and Reef Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 809 reviews · 2 hours · from $44Our pick

You’ll leave Santa Maria by low-sided Zodiac, fit a wetsuit and mask, then snorkel reefs near Farol, Bolama wreck or the bay, depending on sea conditions. Guides such as Adi, Ade and Addy have helped nervous beginners, while the crew keeps watch for turtles, rays, moray eels, reef fish and the shallow wreck.

“What a fantastic experience. I swam above two separate turtles and is the highlight of my trip now. Truly wonderful and unforgettable experience. We also visited a shipwreck. The water is choppy and I loved it being out on the open waters. Would definitely recommend as long as you don't mind a few waves.”

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2.Snorkeling Boat Tour

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

Join Nando, a local guide born and raised in Santa Maria, for two hours of boat-based snorkeling near the Caldeirinha shipwreck and underwater Christ statue. Equipment, skipper, guide, safety briefing, and hotel transfer are offered. Turtles are the headline sight, with fish, coral, and optional photos or videos.

“A really nice and friendly team who genuinely cared for all participants. The water was a bit wavy, but the team looked after us very well throughout. The views were absolutely stunning, and seeing the shipwreck, the large variety of fish species, and the turtles truly made our day. Thank you to the whole team for such a fantastic experience!”

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3.São Vicente’s Enchanting Sea Turtle Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 153 reviews · 1h 30m · from $70

Meet a local guide in São Pedro, receive snorkeling gear and safety guidance, then take a short boat ride to swim with sea turtles for about an hour. Pickup and return are included from Mindelo port or your accommodation. Guides speak English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French.

“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 !”

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4.Snorkel with Sea Turtles Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 111 reviews · 1 hour · from $70

Meet your guide, collect snorkeling gear, and take a short boat ride from São Pedro to a turtle-filled bay. You get about an hour in the water, with life jackets, safety help, and sightings guaranteed. Guides speak English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. Ask for Elder if available, a notably attentive guide.

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5.Beautiful Beaches, Turtles & Djeu Island Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 100 reviews · 7 hours · from $100

Spend seven hours exploring Boa Vista with guides such as Joshua, Veronique, or Axurance. Snorkel around uninhabited Djeu Island, visit the Duque de Bragança fort, eat lunch by the beach, then ride by 4x4 to Santa Monica Beach, Shark Bay, Turtle Bay, Praia Varandinha, and the Morro de Areia dunes.

“The snorkelling was really good, saw loads of fish, the Santa Monica beach is so beautiful, really lovely, we only saw a couple of baby sharks and quite difficult to spot but the tide was out, turtles were amazing and we enjoyed the sandboarding.”

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6.Short Snorkeling Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 76 reviews · 2 months · from $53

Spend two hours snorkeling in the Bay of Sal Rei, just 2 to 5 minutes by boat from the Diving Center Riamar. You may visit Djeu Island or the Zans wreck, with shallow water from 1 to 6 meters, colorful fish, turtles, yellowtail snappers, and perhaps baby sharks. Gear and an English-speaking guide are included.

“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!”

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7.Snorkel and Swim with Sea Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 58 reviews · 1 hour · from $68

Meet your guide, ride from Mindelo to São Pedro, and board a wooden boat in search of sea turtles. Guide Diego provides the safety briefing and leads your snorkeling time, limited to 20 minutes to protect the animals. The tour serves no more than nine people and includes transport, equipment, and pickup from your hotel or cruise terminal.

“Hat alles super funktioniert und ich hatte riesigen Spaß mit den Schildkröten.”

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8.Boa Vista Reef Snorkeling in Gatas Bay / Aperitif with Locals

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 46 reviews · 4 hours · from $67

Spend four hours exploring Gatas Bay’s sheltered coral reef, where beginners can snorkel from the beach among tropical fish. A qualified guide, often José, leads the safety briefing and marine-life viewing, then takes you to Fundo das Figueiras for goat cheese, pastries, rice, and a local drink.

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

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

Travel from Praia to Ribeira da Barca, then take a traditional fishing boat along Santiago’s volcanic coast. You’ll visit Pilon de Achada Leite, swim or snorkel in Águas Belas cave if conditions allow, and eat a fish barbecue on a black-sand beach. Guides may include Cátia, Dany, or KID, with English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish available.

“Très belle sortie avec le guide KID juste exceptionnel, ainsi qu’aux pêcheurs navigateur qui ont su manœuvré et nous faire découvrir de magnifiques côtes malgré la force de la mer Seul point négatif le repas pas au niveau de la description il n’y avait aucune boisson Bravo pour le reste et surtout les lieux visités”

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10.Swimming and Snorkeling Tour with Sea Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 44 reviews · 1h 30m · from $67

From Mindelo, ride to São Pedro, board a local fishermen’s boat, and snorkel with sea turtles in their natural setting. You get gear, a safety briefing, hotel or port transfers, and up to 25 minutes near the turtles. Richard is one English-speaking guide you may meet. Groups are limited to 12.

“Absolutely lovely experience! We saw many beatiful fishes and there were 3 turtles swimming around, the turtels are very friendly and arent bothered by the people at all.”

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11.Snorkeling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 43 reviews · from $44

From Santa Maria, take a short boat ride to a shallow reef near shore. Your instructor provides equipment, a safety briefing, and guidance during about 45 minutes in the water. Look for soldier fish, snappers, parrot fish, trumpet fish, rays, turtles, moray eels, and the Calderinhia wreck’s old boiler.

“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 :)”

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12.Ilha Do Sal: Snorkeling with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 34 reviews · 1h 30m · from $35

Spend 90 minutes snorkeling Santa Maria Bay with a local guide from Taruga Sal Tours. You’ll receive equipment, safety instructions, and help with basic technique before reaching reef areas and a shallow shipwreck. Look for rays, turtles, moray eels, soldierfish, snappers, parrotfish, and trumpetfish.

“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”

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13.Snorkeling Experience in Santa Maria Bay by boat

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

At 2 pm, Atlantic Star takes you by Zodiac to selected snorkeling spots in Santa Maria Bay. A professional guide explains how to use your mask, snorkel, and fins before you enter the water. The approximately 40-minute outing is limited to eight people and may include tropical fish and sea turtles. Hotel pickup is available.

“Great trip pick you up and drop you back to the hotel. Need to be a strong swimmer. But the instructors very helpful and knowledgeable and always there to help.”

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14.Snorkelling trip with certificate local guide

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 31 reviews · 6 hours · from $50

From Santa Maria, Nando and his local team take you by boat to a shipwreck near Ponta Sino and an underwater Christ statue. You snorkel for about two hours with a wetsuit, mask, fins, and life jacket, while the guide helps beginners and records photos and videos. Morning and afternoon departures are available.

“The guides were amazing such good vibes even helping with the less confident swimmers which was nice to see I highly recommend this they made me feel so safe and also did not leave until I saw a turtle ! Thank you so much”

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15.Fishing Snorkeling and Barbecue

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 31 reviews · from $92

Set out from Sal Rei with your private group, fishing rods, and a captain who has lived on Boa Vista all his life. Fish along the Estoril coast, stop at Djeu for snorkeling and beach time, then eat freshly grilled catch. Tuck and his crew may handle the boat and barbecue, while Yara helps with trip updates and transfers.

“‘Best trip ever!’ Direct quote from the eldest, we had a fabulous time with ‘Boat trips & Fishing Boa Vista’ our first time ever fishing and were clearly in good hands! Collected and dropped off at our hotel, there were just the three of us in our group so we had a small boat wiRead more”

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