Things to do in Cape Verde

Sal - Sal lemon shark experience

Living in the coastal subtropical waters around Sal, lemon sharks are one of the easiest sharks to spot in their natural habitat. You'll venture out to Shark Bay with a marine biologist to interact and learn about these fascinating creatures on this half-day trip.

Sal - Secrets of Sal Island 4x4 Tour with Pedra da Lume Salt Lake

The desolate beauty of inland Sal is in stark contrast to the pristine white sands of its coast. On this off-road safari, you'll explore Murdeira Bay, the Buracona lagoon, the ocean-like sands of Terra Boa and the Pedra de Lume salt flats. You'll also discover the town of Palmeira and the island's capital, Espargos.

Boa Vista - Boa Vista beachside sunset dinner with live music experience

The west coast of Boa Vista usually provides stunning sunsets across the South Atlantic. Admire the colours of dusk with your special someone over a delicious dinner, followed by some live drumming and mellow tunes on the beach. Carlo, one of our expert local guides, says: ‘Cape Verde's music is one of the most important strands of our heritage and culture. There are a variety of styles unique to the islands, and you will hear a mix of some of our traditional music together with international tunes performed after dinner by local musicians.'You'll be whisked off to the island-renowned Morabeza Beach Club well before the sun begins its descent over the water. Take your seat and while away the time with a glass of the local cocktail, Ponche, in your hand and the sound of the waves in your ears. The beach club has a natural theme and a stress-free vibe, with tables directly on the beach. The beautiful tropical sunset would be all the visual entertainment needed, but there are plenty of treats to come.As the light dims, a bonfire is lit and African drummers start to provide a soundtrack of infectious beats giving you a flavour of the local culture. Then it's time to sit down and enjoy a delicious buffet dinner, with a selection of grilled meats, vegetables, and freshly-caught fish - plus a drink to wash it all down. A live band will play laid-back music during your meal, and up the tempo later on, so you can dance the night away with the sand between your toes.

Sal - Sal Island all-inclusive adults-only catamaran cruise

The Sal coastline is a perfect backdrop for a cruise – and this adults-only catamaran trip makes the very best use of it. Sailing leisurely through the azure seas between Palmeira and Monte Leão, you'll sunbathe, sip on cocktails and enjoy a stop for swimming and snorkelling too.

Boa Vista - Desert Delight

For a truly celestial holiday experience, it's hard to beat this evening dinner in Boa Vista's Viana desert. We'll pick you at your hotel and bring you to the middle of nowhere, far away from light pollution, for an unrivalled view of the Milky Way in its full glory. What's more, there's also a tasty buffet dinner to enjoy.

Sal - Stargazing Evening at a Beach Restaurant

If the thought of stargazing at Sal's night sky has you starry eyed, then this evening activity is just for you. Cape Verde is a great location for star spotting, and this evening adventure for all the family includes stargazing with telescopes. Enjoy a welcome drink, buffet dinner accompanied by live local music, and then find out which planets and galaxies you can see in the sky above.The star-studded night sky is best viewed close to the equator, where both hemispheres are visible. You'll arrive to a beach restaurant just as darkness draws in, and after a welcome drink you'll sit down for a barbecue buffet. Tuck into a feast of local dishes to the sounds of live music, and with the help of telescopes, lasers and tablets, you'll see the moon, planets and more.With knowledgeable guides at hand, you'll learn how to recognise constellations at home. The tour ends with a 10-minute stroll on the sands, where you'll spot patterns with the naked eye. A unique yet educational way to spend a night in Sal.

Boa Vista - Boa Vista Catamaran Cruise

Even when you're on an idyllic tropical island like Boa Vista, it's lovely to get out on the water. Get a different perspective from the deck of your sleek sailing catamaran on this relaxed adults-only afternoon cruise – served up with ice cold drinks.

Boa Vista - Southern Boa Vista Four-hour Quad Tour by Quad Zone

Off-road adventure is the name of the game on this action-packed excursion. Spend four adrenaline-pumping hours carving up the sands and exploring the trails of Boa Vista's stunning south coast. You can choose whether you want your own quad or whether you're happier to be a passenger – and let your partner do all the hard work.

Sal - Postcards of Sal Tour with Kite Beach and Local Lunch

For a relatively small island, Sal boasts a wealth of sights. This tour covers nearly every inch of the island, taking in Kite Beach, Murdeira Bay, Buracona lagoon and the mirage plains of Terra Boa as well as Pedra de Lume salt flats and the towns of Palmeira and Espargos.

Sal - Electric bikes

Exploring southern Sal just became even more fun. With this morning electric bike tour, your guide will lead you to the best spots as you glide with ease from A to B. So whether you want to spend some quality time with friends or simply have some fun in the sun, this tour guarantees a good time.

Boa Vista - Sandboarding session on Morra de Areia’s dunes in Boa Vista

With bright coastal views, the rippling desert of Morro de Areia is the perfect place to get the adrenaline pumping with a 90-minute sandboarding experience. Boa Vista, which means "good view" in Portuguese, is the easternmost island of Cape Verde. It's known for its great beaches and patches of desert landscape. Jose, one of our expert local guides, says, 'Prepare to get very sandy on this exhilarating trip into Boa Vista's beautiful seaside nature reserve. But getting sandy is all part of the fun as you whizz down and clamber up the dunes.'Morro de Areia is one of the most prominent dune systems on the island and is especially known for its pristine and shifting sands. The scenic sand dunes that line the coast of Boa Vista have the added advantage that you can often see the coast from the higher dunes, and Morro de Areia is no exception. Sit back and enjoy the ride as you drive out across the sands, it's an exciting trip for both adults and kids as you roar across the dunes. The wild surroundings and fabulous views make the perfect backdrop for some unbridled fun. After a safety briefing and demonstration from your friendly instructors, have a go at surfing the dunes yourself. It's a brilliant way to get out into nature and see a different side of the island while enjoying a new experience which will have all the family whooping with excitement. Half-time refreshments are provided so you can rest and enjoy the sea view.

Sal - Sal island catamaran cruise with All-Inclusive drinks and snacks

If holidays for you are all about kicking back and catching up on some chill-out time, then this catamaran cruise around Sal is just what you're looking for. There's nothing on the agenda except cruising, sunbathing, swimming and enjoying the sea breeze. Maria, one of our local guides, says, ‘This is a trip which prioritises relaxation. Getting out onto the water gives you a fresh perspective on the island – Monte Leão is a popular place for birds, so if you like wildlife-watching, bring your binoculars and see if you can spot one of the five species endemic to the Cape Verde archipelago.'Your day of relaxation kicks off with pick-up from your hotel before boarding the brand-new catamaran. Your captain will cruise out from Palmeira, hugging the coastline. It's the perfect moment for you to choose your spot and sit back to soak up some rays. There's plenty of room to relax as well as drinks, snacks and local music to get you into that holiday mood as you enjoy the sensation of gliding through the open water in style.Once we've reached our idyllic spot near Monte Leão, your captain will drop anchor to freshen up with a swim in the open water. When we've stopped, you can also head out on to the nets, where you'll be able to float above the sparkling water and dry off in the sun. Maria adds, ‘Monte Leão sits at the northern end of the Murdeira Bay. The whole bay area is a marine nature reserve because of the important populations of sea turtles and seabirds.'