Cape Verde · TOURS

The 15 Best Tours & Day Trips in Cape Verde

75 tours  ·  from $32 a head

Anything that comes with a guide, a hull or four-wheel drive, gathered in one place. The 15 below are the ones worth giving a whole day to, priced and timed, with the rest of the catalogue underneath.

Sal: Island Experience Tour with a Certified Local Guide - Santa Maria, where salt made a resort town
Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sal

Sal: Island Experience Tour with a Certified Local Guide

1.Island Experience Tour with a Certified Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,249 reviews · 7 hours · from $41Our pick

Spend seven hours touring Sal with a local guide such as Tony, Christian, Nany, or Kiki. You will visit Shark Bay, float in Pedra de Lume’s salt crater, see Buracona’s Blue Eye, and pass through Santa Maria, Palmeira, Espargos, and Murdeira. Transport, hotel pickup, guide photos, and a natural pool swim are included. Lunch and entry fees cost extra.

“Our guide, he was funny, informative, clear, lovely lovely man❤️ We loved all the experiences especially the floating in salt water and in the sea with lemon sharks, thank you”

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Sal: All-Inclusive Salt Lake, Blue Eye and Shark Bay Tour - Pedra de Lume: floating in an old salt crater
Blue Eye & Buracona, Salt Lake & Pedra de Lume, Shark Watching, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sal

Sal: All-Inclusive Salt Lake, Blue Eye and Shark Bay Tour

2.All-Inclusive Salt Lake, Blue Eye and Shark Bay Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,033 reviews · 4 hours · from $53

Explore Sal with a local guide such as Kiki, Vanessa, Tony or Nani. Float in Pedra de Lume’s salt lake, watch lemon sharks at Shark Bay, see Buracona’s Blue Eye and stop at a desert mirage. Air-conditioned minibus transport, entry fees, hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

“We liked most: - our guide Tony. He was just excellent! - the itinerary. The pace was right and we saw and experienced everything! - ac bus. It was the biggest asset since we didn’t have to burn ourselves in the sun and swallow dust on the road! We were lucky to choose the Sal Experience!”

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Santa Maria: Guided Snorkeling and Reef Tour - The low-sided Zodiac ride to the reef
Guided, Snorkeling, Snorkelling in Sal, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sal

Santa Maria: Guided Snorkeling and Reef Tour

3.Guided Snorkeling and Reef Tour

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

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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Complete Excursion and Flight on the Zipline Cabo Verde - Registration, weighing, and the safety briefing
Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sal, Zip Lines

Complete Excursion and Flight on the Zipline Cabo Verde

4.Complete Excursion and Flight on the Zipline Cabo Verde

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 591 reviews · from $56Top rated

You’ll ride a 4x4 from Santa Maria to Sal’s Serra Negra area, walk up a steep path, and fly a long zipline above the coast. The package includes transport, safety gear, a local aperitif, soda, music, and live Cape Verdean entertainment. Expect a festive outing as much as an adrenaline ride. The weight limit is 130 kilograms.

“The operators are excellent, clearly explain what will happen but are full of fun and incredibly supportive. If you’re anxious about being weighed in front of others, just wait til everyone else has gone out. The walk to the top is very steep and if yoRead more”

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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

5.Santiago Island Tour with Tastings and Tarrafal Beach

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

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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Sal Island: Guided Full-Day Highlights Tour with Lunch - Palmeira shows you Sal’s working side
Full-Day, Guided, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sal

Sal Island: Guided Full-Day Highlights Tour with Lunch

6.Guided Full-Day Highlights Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 414 reviews · 6 hours · from $69

Travel Sal in a small group of up to 10 with a guide such as Alejandro or Miguel. Visit Santa Maria, Murdeira, Palmeira, Buracona, Espargos, Shark Bay, and Pedra de Lume, with lunch in a local home, hotel transfers, and a clean minibus included.

“Excellent. Well worth the money payed. Our toy guide was fun and had great knowledge of the island”

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Electric Beach Bike - Guided Tour in Sal Island - Starting at Pier Street in Santa Maria
Cycling Tours, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sal

Electric Beach Bike – Guided Tour in Sal Island

7.Electric Beach Bike – Guided Tour in Sal Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 349 reviews · from $34Best value

Ride from Santa Maria across Sal’s southern coast on a powerful electric bike. Guides such as Mo, Fort, Forza, and Jack lead small to medium groups past beaches, dunes, salt mines, nature areas, and local neighborhoods, with time for a swim and a beach-bar stop. The 4-hour route suits riders who want sightseeing without a hard workout.

“Great fun, got to see more of the island with a knowledgeable guide who told us a bit more about their history.”

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Boa Vista: Shark, Turtles, Cave, Sandboarding & Tasting Tour - Turtle Bay: patient wildlife watching
Food & Drink, Sea Turtle Watching, Shark Watching, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Boa Vista, Turtle Watching in Boa Vista

Boa Vista: Shark, Turtles, Cave, Sandboarding & Tasting Tour

8.Shark, Turtles, Cave, Sandboarding & Tasting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 328 reviews · 4 hours - 270 minutes · from $70

Join Gil Taxi & Tours Boa Vista for a four-hour 4x4 trip across the island’s south. Guides such as Veronique, Joshua, and Cuckoo lead you to turtle and shark bays, Morro de Arreia for sandboarding, Varandinha caves, Santa Monica Beach, and a local grogue and ponche tasting in Povoação Velha. Hotel pickup and photos are included.

“We were a group of 6, our guide Veronica made our tour fun. She’s so interactive and made us all feel so comfortable. The tour itself self was amazing, from start to finish. We would definitely recommend to anyone. Thank you Veronica and Gil for an awesome experience.”

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Sal: Salt Lake Tour, Shark Bay and Pedra de Lume Village - Pedra de Lume explains how salt shaped Sal
Salt Lake & Pedra de Lume, Shark Watching, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sal

Sal: Salt Lake Tour, Shark Bay and Pedra de Lume Village

9.Salt Lake Tour, Shark Bay and Pedra de Lume Village

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 274 reviews · 3 hours · from $36

This three-hour Sal tour combines Shark Bay, the old village of Pedra de Lume, and a salt lake inside a dormant volcanic crater. Your local guide explains Sal’s salt trade and island life, then helps you see lemon sharks at close range and float in extremely salty water. Hotel transfers from Santa Maria, Murdeira, and Espargos are included.

“Shark Bay was great. Transport was good. Would have liked more information about Pedra de Lume and the salt lakes”

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All inclusive full-Day Tour in Sal Island (Lunch and all fees included) - Ponta Preta starts the story at 9:15 a.m.
Full-Day, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sal

All inclusive full-Day Tour in Sal Island (Lunch and all fees included)

10.All inclusive full-Day Tour in Sal Island (Lunch and all fees included)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 216 reviews · from $81

Travel across Sal with a local guide such as Danilson, Hamilton, John, or Cula. Visit Ponta Preta, Murdeira, Espargos, Palmeira, Buracona’s Blue Eye, Terra Boa, Pedra de Lume, and shark bay. Hotel or port pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, entry fees, lunch, and one drink are included, though the lunch details should be confirmed before booking.

“We had an amazing experience on this tour John the tour guide is very helpful and experienced. Our much was freshly prepared and even though the weather was cloudy every experience was memorable.”

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Santa Maria: Snorkeling Boat Tour - The Caldeirinha wreck and reef fish
Cruises & Boat Tours, Snorkeling, Snorkelling in Sal, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sal

Santa Maria: Snorkeling Boat Tour

11.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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Sal: Espargos City Tour, Local Life, and Cape Verde Tapas - The airport stop and Sal’s modern growth
City Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sal

Sal: Espargos City Tour, Local Life, and Cape Verde Tapas

12.Espargos City Tour, Local Life, and Cape Verde Tapas

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 200 reviews · 2h 30m · from $35

Join a local guide, often Chan, for a 150-minute look at Espargos, Sal’s capital. Visit the airport area, historic center, street art, a viewpoint, and local neighborhoods, then share Cape Verdean snacks, cheese, and drinks at a café. Hotel pickup and return are included.

“Great tour. Our tour guide was superb. Knowledgeable, relaxed and super friendly. Picked up from hotel, driven around various parts of the city. Some parts we wolked. Ending the tour with samples of local cuisine. The food was great and owner genuinely lovely and welcoming. Would absolutely recommend!”

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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

13.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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Santa Maria: Salt Mine, Natural Pool, and Shark Bay Tour - Kite Beach and Sal’s wide-open coast
Salt Lake & Pedra de Lume, Shark Watching, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sal

Santa Maria: Salt Mine, Natural Pool, and Shark Bay Tour

14.Salt Mine, Natural Pool, and Shark Bay Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 165 reviews · 6 hours · from $34

Spend six hours touring Sal from Santa Maria with a local guide such as Emerson, Domingos, or Jay. Visit Kite Beach, salt mines, Miragem, Buracona’s Blue Eye, Palmeira, and Lemon Shark Bay. Transport may be a 4x4 pickup or minivan, and optional entry fees, lunch, and photos cost extra.

“Emerson is an excellent local guide with fantastic insights on Cape Verde life and the changes that are ongoing. The future is bright in paradise. We had a multi national group who were all included in the commentary and conversation. The tour is excellent showing multiple sides of the island starting in the south going through the middle and the Atlantic coast landscape, via the mirage, blue hole, fishing village, lunch is Espargos (which was of excellent quality and price - recommend the Cachupa at 11 euros as recommended by Emerson - massive portion! Drinks were reasonable too) The afternoon was spent with the sharks which are very present, the…”

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Boa Vista: Santa Monica, Dunes, Caves and Village 4x4 Tour - Riding into the Viana desert
Quad & Buggy Tours, Quad and Buggy Tours in Boa Vista, Santa Monica Beach Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Boa Vista, Viana Desert & Dunes

Boa Vista: Santa Monica, Dunes, Caves and Village 4×4 Tour

15.Santa Monica, Dunes, Caves and Village 4×4 Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 137 reviews · 4 hours · from $76

Ride into Boa Vista’s Viana desert, visit the old village of Povoação Velha, walk through Varandinha’s sea caves, and finish at Santa Monica Beach with time for a swim and included cocktail. Guides such as Freddy, Evandro, Nielson, and Julie have led this route. Expect rough tracks, big views, and a lively ride.

“We liked to see the caves, it is very beautiful. The ocean is very blue, and the landscape is very unique.”

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★ 4.7Full-Day Wild Beaches & Viana Desert TourFrom $10010 reviews
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★ 4.8Adults Only Tour of Sal with Lobster Lunch and Salt LakeFrom $1354 reviews
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★ 4.5Full-Day Island Tour in Santo Antão with Lunch IncludedFrom $11814 reviews
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Shark Watching21Sea Turtle Watching17Quad & Buggy Tours32Island Day Trips26Snorkeling18City Tours11
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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