In a country that consists exclusively of islands, ferries are indispensable means of transport. A number of islands of the Cape Verde archipelago have no official airport. Because of the presence of ferries, it is possible to visit these islands.
There are several shipping companies that have good ships for the crossing of one Cape Verde island to another. As the Atlantic Ocean can be rough, we recommend only taking the ferry if you want to go to an adjacent island and when no flight connection is possible. For example, from Sao Vicente to Santo Antao. This is much more comfortable and efficient.
A limited number of ferry boats between the islands have a regular and punctual departure schedule. Only these ferry connections are listed below. There are also other routes where ferries are sailing. These ferries leave at sufficient demand and / or sufficient freight. For the islands with an airport, we therefore recommend taking a domestic flight.
Ferry connections Cape Verde
On the following routes there are regular ferries*.
Boavista
From Sal to Boavista a trimaran sails (fast sailboat that comprises a main hull and two smaller outrigger hulls). The tour is part of an excursion of a day. There are only a limited number of places available. More information is available at Hotel Morabeza (Santa Maria) on Sal.
Sao Vicente <-> Santo Antao
There are several ferry boats between Sao Vicente and Santo Antao. Departure and arrival is in Mindelo (Sao Vicente) and Porto Novo (Santo Antao). At the terminal you can buy tickets for the crossing. Do this at least 30 minutes before departure. 10 minutes before departure, you can go aboard the ferry. The price for a single trip is around 8 euros. In most cases you can also bring your rental car, but check the conditions of the car rental company beforehand if this is permitted.
Mar de Canal (Armas ferry) The Armas ferry brings you to the other side within 60 minutes. It can hold 450 passengers and 60 cars. The ferry departs 2 times a day and on Sunday 1 time. The departure times are:
- Mindelo to Porto Novo
Monday – Sunday: 07:00
Monday – Saturday: 14:00 - Porto Novo to Mindelo
Monday – Saturday at 09:00
Monday – Sunday: 16:00
Interilhas (Polaris ferry)
This ferry brings you a little faster to the other island. In about 50 minutes you are already across the street. Like the Armas ferry, it leaves 2 times a day at other times. On Thursday, this ferry only sails 1 times.
- Mindelo to Porto Novo
Monday – Sunday: 08:00
Monday – Wednesday: 15:00
Friday – Sunday: 15:00 hours - Porto Novo to Mindelo
Monday – Saturday at 10:00
Monday – Wednesday: 17:00
Friday – Sunday: 17:00
CVfastferry
This fast ferry operates regularly between Sao Vicente and Santo Antao. The price for an single journey is slightly higher than with Interilhas and Mar de Canal.
Sao Vicente <-> Sao Nicolau
The Interilhas ferry operates twice a week on Friday and Saturdat between Mindelo (Sao Vicente) and Tarrafal (Sao Nicolau). The travel time is approximately 6 hours. You can also take the fast ferry from CVfastferry.
Santiago – Fogo – Brava and vica versa
The fast ferry of CVfastferry operates between the islands of Santiago, Fogo and Brava. Depending on your final destination, the price is between 16 and 40 euros.
Santiago – Sao Nicolau – Sao Vicente and vica versa
On this route, CVfastferry facilitates the connection. The sailing time from Santiago to Sao Nicolau is over 13 hours. And from Sao Nicolau to Sao Vicente over 6 hours. Depending on your final destination, the price is approximately between 21 and 60 euros.
* Providers, destinations and prices may change in between. Check for the recent information with the provider.
Rhian says
Hello, could you please give me some advice. I arrive in Sal on Sunday 1. December. I have apartment booked from the 4th I. Santa Maria, but would like to explore other island or islands before then. I am flexible on date of arrival back in Sal if necessary, could be the 5 or 6. Have you any suggestions? I’m happy to take a flight to another island and ferry. Perhaps Fogo or Santa Antao. I’d like to hire a bike perhaps to explore too? Any advice most welcome!! Thank you :-)
Deborah Syme says
Hello there , I am booking a holiday over Christmas with my family, I wondered if the ferries operate on Christmas eve ,Christmas day or Boxing day 24th 25th or 26th December , between Antao and Vicente.
thank you
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Deborah,
We would advice you to contact the ferry company, the have the latest information.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Anonymous says
Hi, I just booked a flight to Sal but i found out there are more hotel options and more things to do in Praia.
please is there a ferry to Praia from Sal and how much does it cost?
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
There is indeed a ferry between Santiago (Praia) to Sal, however this ferry is a long trip and the frequency is limited. There are also domestic flights between the islands.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Zhanna says
Hello,
We are planning our holiday in May 2020. Is there a ferry connection between Praia and Boa Vista? If yes, where (website) can I book it?
Thank you!
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
Yes there is a ferry connection between Santiago (Praia) and Boavista. Note: it can take some while and the ocean can be rough. More information can be found on the ferry companies website (cvinterilhas).
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Anonymous says
Hi!
Where can we find the timetable of the connections between Santiago and Sao Nicolau?
Thanks a lot!
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
Have you checked you site of the ferry company cvinterilhas?
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Lisa says
Is it possible to get a ferry from praia, to Sal ?
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Yes, there is one. With a stop-over in Boavista.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Anonymous says
Is there a regular ferry connection between Praia and Santa Maria?
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
There is a line between Santiago (Praia) – Boavista – Sal (Santa Maria) and takes around 10 hours, however it is not on a regular basis.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Ben says
How can I find out if ferries run from Santo Antao to Sao Vicente on Jan 1st?
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Ben,
Normally they just run on the 1st of January. You can double check this with the ferry company where you buy your ticket.
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Oana Pislaru says
Hello,
What about a ferry from Sal to Boa Vista? In the article it is mentioned only the trimaran.
Though, if you search on Google maps the route includes a ferry, but there is not schedule or anything about that.
Please let me know.
Thanks!
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
There is no daily ferry between Sal BoaVista. There might be some cargo ships (open for normal passengers) running between these two islands, however it is impossible to find out the timetable in advance.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Robert McLean says
Is it possible to go by ferry from Praia to Sao Antao – and if so how long time does it take? I am visiting Kap Verde with a group / 12 persons. 85
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Robert,
There are some ferries from Praia (Santiago) to Sao Vicente and the travel time is around 6 / 8 hours. Please note that the ocean can be rough. From Sao Vicente you can take the ferry to Santo Antao (1 hour duration).
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org