Cruising the Cape Verde Islands


Neither Senegal nor Portugal, the Cape Verde Islands march to the beat of their own drum. This incredible archipelago might just be the ultimate adventure cruise destination, a land whose particular brand of exotic defies classification. Set off from Praia to San Tiago and discover the history of the old Portugese capital of Cidade Velha, from the slave trade to the shipwrecks. Head north to Fogo to walk through lava landscapes and scale its volcanic peak. Move on the rich green of San Antao’s valleys and peaks, a land of sugarcane and heady ‘grogue’, before a rendezvous in the cultural capital of Mindelo. With all shore activities optional, you have the flexibility and freedom of making this Cape Verde getaway as leisurely or as active as you please.

8 days, from

$2,480

per person

GROUP SIZE

44 people max

ACTIVITY LEVEL

 
2
Trip code: DYKV
Style: Comfort
Theme: Adventure Cruising

Details

Countries Visited:  Cape Verde
Accommodation: Small Cruise Ship, 7 nights
Transportation: Small Cruise Ship
Included Meals:

  • 7 breakfasts
  • 7 dinners

Group size: Minimum 1, Max 44

  • Gaze in awe at landscapes like that of Fogo, aka the ‘Island of Fire’, and Santo Antao, the cape’s crown jewel of lush valleys, gorges and craters

  • Be charmed by the well preserved colonial towns of Cidade Velha and, San Felipe

  • There’s no place quite like Mindelo. As well as galleries and restaurants, this cobblestoned heartthrob of a town is abuzz with music, especially ‘morna’, the style unique to the cape

  • Sample the aptly named ‘grogue’, the potent national drink of Cape Verde

Itinerary

Show Full Itinerary

Day 1: Embarkation in Palmeira, Sal

Embarkation will take place at 4.00pm at the port of Palmeira, Sal. After a safety briefing and welcome dinner, we will set sail for Boa Vista Island. Overnight at sea.

Day 2: Sal Rei, Boa Vista Island

Arrive early in the morning to Sal Rei on the island of Boa Vista. Boa Vista offers the most beautiful beaches of the archipelago with amazing landscapes, both on its coasts and in the heart of the island. Relax on the beach or enjoy an all-day optional excursion to discover the most authentic aspects of the island including its villages with colorful facades, its artisans of ceramics, and its agriculture. Lunch will be at a local restaurant, before you return to the Harmony G to sail towards Santiago island. Overnight at sea.

Day 3: Praia, Santiago Island

You will awake at Praia, Santiago, the largest of the islands of the archipelago. After a morning of leisure and lunch on board, you can join the optional excursion to Cidade Velha, the first colonial city built in the tropics and classified by UNESCO. The fort and the nearby settlements were once a thriving slave trade centre. Return to the ship and perhaps enjoy a sunset drink before dinner. Late in the evening you will sail north towards Fogo, the island of fire. Overnight at sea.

Day 4: Sao Felipe, Fogo Island

Early morning arrival into Fogo, with its dominating sight of the Fogo Volcano which rises 3,000 meters over the sea level. Today you have the option to join a full day excursion bringing you to the top of the volcano, right to the crater edge. You will walk through a landscape of lava so make sure you bring some shoes with a good grip. Stop for lunch at the crater's village before visiting Sao Filipe, a city with a characteristic colonial charm. Late in the evening sail towards Sao Vicente. Overnight at sea.

Day 5: Mindelo, San Vincente Island

Once a vibrant commercial island, San Vincente has evolved into a cultural center and Mindelo is one of the most well -preserved colonial cities in Cape Verde. Join an optional walking tour to visit some of the cities highlights. The city is known for its many galleries, restaurants and musical events which give Mindelo its label of the Cultural Center of the Cape Verde. It is no surprise that the National Museum of Handicrafts is located in Mindelo. Overnight in port.

Day 6: Porto Nova, Santo Antao Island

Early in the morning depart for a short sail towards the island of Santo Antao, the greenest of all Cape Verde Islands with landscapes of verdant plantations of sugarcane alternating with old craters. Today you can join an optional full day excursion to Valley Paul which is known for its sugarcane plantations and where you can taste the "grogue" the national drink of the Archipelago. You will also reach the Valley of Ribeira das Patas and discover rock formations coming from lava formations. Tonight, dinner will be on board and overnight in port.

Day 7: Porto Nova, Santo Antao Island

This morning enjoy an optional half day excursion to discover the south-western part of the island a safari through volcanic landscapes, porcelain fields, and isolated villages with interesting agriculture and many different kinds of plantations. Return to the ship in the afternoon and set sail towards Sal. Overnight at sea.

Day 8: Disembark in Palmeira, Sal Island

Early morning arrival at Palmeira port, Sal. Disembarkation at 9:00 am after breakfast.