Cape Verde is one of the most beautiful destinations on the entire planet and is becoming increasingly popular with tourists from the UK. Nicknamed the “Caribbean of Africa”, it is very easy to see why with its wide selection of luscious sandy beaches, exciting water sports to try, its picture-perfect volcanic landscapes and a lively nightlife too. It is the ideal sunshine destination no matter who you are choosing to travel with. In this short guide, we will take you through our top 5 things to do in Cape Verde…

Go Beach Hopping

Sal is one of the most popular islands within the Cape Verde archipelago and is packed full of exquisite white sandy beaches that you can relax on all morning, afternoon and evening. The waters are also turquoise blue and crystal clear – making it ideal for snorkelling and diving. Boa Vista is another beautiful Cape Verdean gem which features a stunning 55km of uninterrupted coastline meaning that you can pick and choose whether you want complete quiet or to be mixing in a bit more with the crowds. With so many beaches on offer in Cape Verde, the choice really is yours!

Visit the Pedra de Lume Saltpans

Formed in the crater of an extinct volcano, these natural salt lakes are truly an unforgettable experience. The warm pools are favourites with both locals and visitors. They are even saltier than the Dead Sea making floating and relaxing in them an absolute breeze. It is the ideal place to chill out, do something good for your skin and also take the once-in-a-lifetime chance to bathe in an extinct volcano!

Go Quad Biking

When most people think of Cape Verde they might not necessarily think about quad biking. However, this is actually one of the biggest attractions of the archipelago and is available on a few of the islands. Sal is probably the most popular place to do it due to its unique desert landscape that covers a good portion of it. Blazing through sand dunes and over rugged terrain is one of the more thrilling ways to view and experience parts of Cape Verde.

Enjoy the Nightlife

The nightlife choices all over Cape Verde are impressive with plenty of bars and clubs on offer. However, for the best nightlife across the archipelago we would probably recommend Santa Maria in Sal. Here you will get a real taste of the famous reggae bars and enjoy a taste of pontche – the island’s signature drink. Depending on what time of year that you visit, Sal Music Festival is always well worth the visit too.

Go Whale and Turtle Spotting

If you’re heading to Boa Vista, make sure that you take the unique opportunity to go humpback whale and loggerhead turtle spotting. These excursions are available between February and May when the whales and turtles are roaming around the island in their natural habitat. If you happen to visit during July and September, you will coincide with the turtle’s nesting season with hundreds coming onto the sand to lay their eggs! It is an experience that you will never forget.