Cape Verde Cruise: Island Hopping by Small Ship
Small ship cruises · Cape Verde
A Cape Verde cruise takes you island hopping across an Atlantic archipelago of volcanoes, colonial towns, and empty beaches, with warm sun while the UK turns grey. Here’s where our small ship goes, what life on board M/Y Harmony V is like, when to go, and what to sort out before you fly.
In short
Our Islands of Cape Verde cruise spends seven nights island hopping on M/Y Harmony V, a 49-guest mega yacht, after two nights at the Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort. You visit Boa Vista, Santiago, Fogo, São Vicente, and Santo Antão, then return to Sal. Departures run from November to February. The flight-inclusive package starts from £3,220 per person, and the cruise only from £2,617.
49
guests on M/Y Harmony V, with 16 to 18 crew
6
islands in one week of island hopping
7
nights on board, plus two at the Hilton on Sal
£3,220
from, per person, with flights from London or Manchester
On this page
Why a small ship
Why cruise Cape Verde on a small ship?
Cape Verde’s islands are spread across the Atlantic, and each one feels different. To see more than one, you either juggle domestic flights and ferries or let the ship do the work. On a small ship cruise, you unpack once and wake up somewhere new.
Island hopping, sorted
Your cruise links six islands, from the dunes of Boa Vista to the green valleys of Santo Antão, with no ferries or domestic flights to book.
Just 49 guests
M/Y Harmony V carries 49 guests in 25 cabins, looked after by 16 to 18 crew. Everyone dines at one sitting, so you soon get to know your fellow travellers.
Swim stops
Swim from the stern platform when the yacht anchors. Snorkelling gear, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards are free to use, subject to availability.
More time ashore
Short hops between islands mean morning arrivals and plenty of time to explore, with an English-speaking cruise director to guide you.
The route
Where does a Cape Verde cruise go?
The holiday lasts ten days: two nights on Sal to settle in, then a seven-night cruise around the archipelago. Here’s the route, day by day, as it appears on our Islands of Cape Verde cruise page.
Day 1
Fly to Sal
Fly from the UK to Sal and transfer to the Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort, on the beach at Santa Maria.
Day 2
Santa Maria, Sal
A free day to relax on the golden sands of Santa Maria.
Day 3
Palmeira, Sal
Transfer from the hotel to Palmeira and board M/Y Harmony V.
Day 4
Sal Rei, Boa Vista
Arrive in the morning at Boa Vista, known for its beaches and desert-like landscapes.
Day 5
Praia, Santiago
Santiago is the largest island, where African and Portuguese cultures meet. Nearby Cidade Velha, the old capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 6
São Filipe, Fogo
Fogo’s volcano dominates the island, one of the most striking active volcanoes in the Atlantic.
Day 7
Mindelo, São Vicente
Spend the day in Cape Verde’s cultural centre, with its colonial heritage, music, and art.
Day 8
Santo Antão
An early morning sail takes you to the greenest island, with sugarcane plantations and ancient craters.
Day 9
Santo Antão
Join an optional excursion to the western side of the island, with its dry, mountainous landscapes.
Day 10
Palmeira, Sal
Arrive on Sal early in the morning, then disembark and fly home.
The Captain may vary the route in poor weather, for the comfort and safety of guests. Full details are on the Cape Verde cruise page.
Island highlights
Six Cape Verde island highlights
Some islands feel like the Sahara, others are lush and green, and some are barren and volcanic. These are the moments guests remember. For more on each island, read our guide to the islands of Cabo Verde.
Mindelo, São Vicente
Cape Verde’s cultural capital, full of colonial buildings, harbour views, and morna, the soulful music UNESCO lists as intangible heritage.
Santo Antão
Cool, green, and mountainous. Walk a valley trail, or spend a gentler day visiting villages and viewpoints.
Fogo
The volcano towers over everything. Taste local wine and coffee grown on its slopes in the crater village of Chã das Caldeiras.
Cidade Velha, Santiago
The first European colonial settlement in the tropics, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a sobering history.
Boa Vista
Sand dunes, long empty beaches, and quiet, desert-like landscapes make Boa Vista a place to slow down.
Santa Maria, Sal
Your holiday starts and ends here, at the Hilton on the white-sand beach near the fishermen’s pier.
Life on board
What is life like on M/Y Harmony V?
Harmony V is a 55-metre motor yacht, renovated in 2021, with 25 cabins over two decks. Every cabin has large windows, an en suite shower, air conditioning, a TV, and a mini fridge.
Days revolve around a 200 square-metre sun deck with a bar and shaded outdoor dining. Meals are served at one sitting, always with some local flavours, and the week includes a welcome cocktail, a local themed evening, a barbecue, and the Captain’s Dinner.
Here’s what the flight-inclusive package covers, and what you pay for on board.
Included
- Return flights from London or Manchester
- All local transfers
- Two nights at the Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort, with breakfast
- Seven nights on board, full board
- Filter coffee, tea, and water all day
- Snorkelling gear, kayaks, and paddleboards
- An English-speaking cruise director
- Port charges
At an additional cost
- Drinks other than coffee, tea, and water
- Crew gratuities, optional (€15 to €18 a day recommended)
- Wi-Fi
- Personal expenses
Single occupancy carries a 50% supplement. Dates and prices for every cabin are on the Cape Verde cruise page.
When to go
When is the best time to cruise Cape Verde?
Our Cape Verde cruise runs in winter, with departures from late November to late February. That’s when the islands offer the most welcome contrast to a grey British winter.
Cape Verde enjoys sunshine on around 350 days a year, with temperatures between 21°C and 29°C. Ocean breezes keep the air comfortable, with average humidity of 40% to 60%.
Barely any jet lag
Cape Verde is on UTC−1, one hour behind the UK in winter (source: timeanddate.com). When it’s noon in London, it’s 11:00 in Mindelo.
If you’d like to see more of West Africa, our Rivers of West Africa cruise explores the region by small ship too. Read about it in our Gambia River guide.
Before you go
What do you need to know before a Cape Verde cruise?
Entry is simple for British passport holders, but there’s one step to complete online before you fly. Always check the latest GOV.UK entry requirements before you travel.
Documents
- A passport valid for at least six months after the date you arrive
- No visa needed for stays of up to 30 days
- EASE pre-registration at ease.gov.cv, at least five days before arrival
- Proof of your pre-registration to show at the border
Fees
- The airport security fee (TSA), paid online with your pre-registration
- Without pre-registration, you pay double the fee at the border
- Euros for crew gratuities, if you choose to leave them
Packing
- Light clothes and sun protection for 21°C to 29°C
- Swimwear for swim stops
- Comfortable shoes for the trails on Santo Antão and Fogo
- Casual evening wear, as there’s no need to dress up for dinner
First time on a small ship?
Read our first-timer’s guide to small ship cruising to see what to expect on board, or find out whether small ship cruises are worth it.
Common questions
Cape Verde cruise: your questions answered
When is the best time to visit Cape Verde?
November to February is ideal for a cruise, and those are the months our Cape Verde cruise departs. The islands enjoy sunshine on around 350 days a year, with temperatures between 21°C and 29°C, so you swap a British winter for warm, dry days.
What time is it in Cape Verde?
Cape Verde is on UTC−1, one hour behind the UK in winter. When it’s noon in London, it’s 11:00 in Mindelo, so there’s barely any jet lag after your flight.
Do British passport holders need a visa for Cape Verde?
No, not for stays of up to 30 days. You need a passport valid for six months after arrival, and you must pre-register on the EASE platform at least five days before you arrive, paying the airport security fee online. Check GOV.UK for the latest rules.
Can you go island hopping in Cape Verde?
Yes, and a small ship cruise is the easiest way to do it. Our Cape Verde cruise visits six islands in a week, from Sal and Boa Vista to Santiago, Fogo, São Vicente, and Santo Antão, with no ferries or domestic flights to book.
What’s included in a Cape Verde cruise?
The flight-inclusive package includes return flights from London or Manchester, transfers, two nights at the Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort, seven nights full board on M/Y Harmony V, and port charges. Drinks other than coffee, tea, and water, gratuities, and Wi-Fi cost extra.
Can I book the Cape Verde cruise without flights?
Yes. The eight-day cruise-only option starts from £2,617 per person, including £365 port charges, if you’d rather arrange your own flights. The flight-inclusive package starts from £3,220 per person.
Ready for winter sun?
Talk to us about your Cape Verde cruise
Ask for a personalised quote for your dates and cabin, or call our team with any questions about the islands.
Call or email us
Monday to Friday 09:00 to 19:00 · Saturday 09:30 to 17:00
Book with confidence. Seafarer, a family company, has specialised in small ship cruising since 1995, and every payment you make to us is financially protected: ATOL licence 9511 for holidays with flights, ABTOT member 5660 for holidays without.