Cape Verde Beaches
Exotic and Tropical

Cape Verde Beaches are exotic and tropical. Cape Verde or Cabo Verde is an independent Republic that was once colonized by Portugal.

It is actually an archipelago of ten islands and a few islets off the shores of Central Africa about 500 Km from Dakar the Capital of Senegal. These islands are charming and show the blend of cultures of Africa, Brazil and Portugal wherever you go.

Some Europeans compare them to the Caribbean for their beauty and fabulous beaches.

Amazing Beaches in Cape Verde Islands

Beaches in Cape Verde

The beaches are long and sandy and the waters turquoise particularly on Sal and Boa Vista Islands some of them deserted and left there just for you and your companions.

There are more than just beaches on the islands, such as hiking on some of them with volcanic origin terrains. All kind of water sports like windsurfing on the open Atlantic Ocean, scuba diving and snorkeling among an array of coral reefs.

The weather conditions at 25-30 degrees Celsius couldn’t be better year round.

Cape Verde Map showing their position near Africa

The Islands are:

• São Tiago       
• São Vicente   
• Santo Antão
• Fogo
• Sal        
• São Nicolau
• Brava    
• Maio     
• Boa Vista       
• Santa Luzia    

This group of islands is still undiscovered by the big crowds and they feature some of the world’s finest beaches, development controlled by the government.

Santa Maria Beach on the Island of Sal in Cape Verde

Sal Island – Ilha do Sal

This is the most developed of the islands and the main town is Santa Maria. The island boasts long sandy beaches with all facilities of water sports.

The swimming conditions are awesome with crystal blue waters inviting for a day of relaxation, swimming and sun tanning.

The beach in Santa Maria is almost 5 Km long with many resorts, restaurants and cafes.

Cape Verde Beaches

Praia da Varandinha in Boa Vista Cape Verde Islands

Boa Vista Island

This island features some of the best beaches in the archipelago including Santa Monica with 15 Km of a sandy beach, many times voted one of the Best Beaches in the World.

There are many hotels on Boa Vista as well as many residential neighborhoods with luxury villas. This island is indeed the future success of Cape Verde.

The main town is Sal Rei with a picturesque harbor and several restaurants and bars.

This island has a total of 60 Km of white sands shoreline. Some of the most important beaches on this island are:

• Praia de Chaves covering the west side of the island and featuring some amazing dunes sculptured by nature
  
  
• Praia de Curralinho is the longest beach in Cape Verde and ideal for those looking for solitude
  
  
• Praia de Varandinha
• Praia de Curral Velho

Please note that most hotel beaches will operate a flag system.  Due to the strong winds found particularly in the winter months, large waves can be experienced, causing dangerous swimming conditions.

Calhau Beach great for surfing on the Cape Verde Islands

São Vicente Island

The main town here is Mindelo, the second largest town on the Cape Verde Islands and often described as the cultural capital.   It has a newly inaugurated airport which will likely bring this island to take over a great portion of the Cape Verde Tourism.

The Calhau area, located in the southeastern side of the island is famous for its surf and is frequented by a surf-loving crowd.

San Pedro is another beach on a laid back fishing village, great for windsurfing and kite surfing.

Praia de Laginha is the safest beach on the islands for swimming, perfect for a vacation with the kids. It gets crowded during weekends.

Tarrafal Black Beach on the Island of São Nicolau

São Nicolau

The claim to fame of this island is the Tarrafal Black Beach which is believed to have healing properties due to the high iodine and titanium content of the sands.

This beach is known to be the best place on the islands to catch tuna, swordfish, wahoo and blue marlin. Hiking is also a possibility for the trails on Mount Gordo.

Amazing landscape on Santo Antão Cape Verde Islands

Santo Antão

Separated from the Island of Sao Vicente by the Canal of Sao Vicente, this is the westernmost island of the group. This is the home of Sao Pedro International Airport.

This is an extremely beautiful island with plenty of forests ideal for hiking.

Windsurfing is great on the Cape Verde Beaches

Beyond Beach activities

• Scuba Diving is spectacular and unforgettable due to the many coral reefs of volcanic origin surrounding the islands

• Hiking is most popular in Santo Antão, due to its amazing landscapes. It has a vast mountain range and diverse flora and fauna.

• Family Vacations are welcome on the islands that have many activities for children especially on Santa Maria Beach in Sal.

• Visitors may do some bird and turtle spotting without intruding too much on their protected habitats.

• Fogo, meaning Fire in Portuguese, located south of São Tiago, is a volcanic island, being its tallest one the Pico de Fogo and 2,900 meters high volcano which is occasionally active.

For more information go to Cape Verde Tourism Website

images for cape verde beaches

santa maria by tiverton
calhau by kotoviski
varandinha by ximonic
santo antao by konstantin krismer
cape verde beach n/a
tarrafal n/a
windsurfing n/a
map n/a

all courtesy of wikimedia commons

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