Discover Cape Verde with Odisea Travel
About Cape Verde
Cape Verde is an archipelago of 10 islands off Africa’s west coast, about a six-hour flight from the UK. With year-round sunshine, it’s perfect for an off-the-beaten-track escape. Long sandy beaches, lively surf, and modern hotels make it increasingly popular with travellers.
Sal is the most visited island, known for its moon-like landscapes and colourful towns like Santa Maria, where surf shops, cafés, and traditional restaurants line the streets. The eight-kilometre beach is ideal for sunbathing or watersports, though the sea can get choppy.
Boa Vista, meaning “beautiful view,” boasts 55 kilometres of sugar-coloured sand, with Praia Chave standing out for its soft dunes and scenic shores.
Across the islands, you’ll find a rich cultural mix of African, Brazilian, and Portuguese influences, reflected in the music, fashion, and especially the food, making Cape Verde a vibrant and diverse holiday destination.
Sal
Santa Maria is the lively heart of Sal, filled with surf shops, craft markets, and seafood restaurants serving fresh catches from local fishermen. Most hotels line the 8km Santa Maria Beach, home to windsurfing centres and beach bars, where you can relax with a cold drink while enjoying Morna music.
The best time to visit Cape Verde is November to June, with sunny skies, little rain, and temperatures around 22–25°C. November to February is ideal for wind and kite surfing thanks to steady trade winds, while cooler months are perfect for hiking and exploring.
Sal’s coastline offers plenty of natural wonders. Swim with lemon sharks at Shark Bay, watch turtles at Project Biodiversity, or experience the desert mirage at Terra Boa. Float in the salty volcanic waters of Pedra de Lume for a weightless feeling, and visit Buracona’s Olho Azul—or “Blue Eye”—to see its stunning sunlit glow. Sal blends vibrant culture, adventure, and breathtaking scenery.
Boa Vista
Boa Vista truly lives up to its name, “Beautiful View,” with 55 kilometres of white-sand beaches and quiet bays framed by emerald waters. Inland, the Deserto de Viana offers a dramatic Sahara-born landscape, creating a lunar-like desert in the heart of the island.
Most hotels are near Curralinho, just behind the iconic Santa Monica Beach, an 18-kilometre stretch far from crowds. From here, Sal Rei’s colourful surf shops and relaxed cafés are easy to reach, as are the island’s top sights. Explore the rusted Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck, tackle the dunes on quad bikes or 4x4 safaris, and spot seasonal wildlife such as loggerhead turtles from July to October or humpback whales in spring. Boa Vista perfectly blends serene beaches, dramatic landscapes, and unforgettable adventures.