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.
Gilles says
Hello , i would like to have the timetable for ferrys between PRAIA and FOGO between le 09 of octover and the 17th of october 2019
Thank you so much
Emma says
I would like to travel between Mindelo and the best nearby island for some beach time. Which is the best village?
I am going to Mindelo on December 23rd to January 5th so I’d like to visit the other beach village for a few days in between to chill out incase Mindelo is busy. What do you recommend?
And will ferry’s be going over Christmas holidays?thank you
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Emma,
Which island do you want to visit? For sure Sao Vicente has enough beaches with enough space, but it is definitely worth it to visit also another island.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Eric van Walle says
Hello
we want to go from Mindelo to Sao Nicolao and vice versa by fferry in the month of January 2020. Could you give me the days (and times) in the week when the boat goes from Mindelo to San Nicolao (for example every Monday and Wednesday at xx h) and opposite (for example Tuesday and Thursday at yy h).
Kindly,
Eric van Walle
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
Currently the ferry goes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (including returns), however we would recommend you to check this with the ferry company (cvfastferry), as they can change the schedule.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
lucas says
hello,
is it possible to go from Santiago to sal? i want to go on vacation to Kaapverdië and i would like to know if there is a ferry from Santiago to sal, because we i would like to visit both islands.
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Lucas,
We would advice you to take a domestic flight, as there a no ferries between Santiago and Sal.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Silvia says
Hi,
We are a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 young children) and will be landing in BVC (Boa Vista) and departing from SID (Sal) this December.
Is it possible to organize a 1 way ferry ticker from Boa Vista to Sal? How long does it take and how much does it cost?
Should I contact the Hotel Morabeza (Santa Maria) that organize that (and if so do you have details) or can you organize it for us?
Thank you very much
Silvia
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
Between Boavista and Sale are no daily regular ferries. There might be some cargo ships (open for normal passengers) running between these two islands, however it is impossible to fund out the timetable in advance. Best way to travel from Boavista to Sale is by domestic flight. See the following for the options: domestic flights Cape Verde
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Fanny Willen says
How i can go from praia to maio by ferry in 21th august and back 25?
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Please check with the ferry company, as they have the latest departure schedule.
Thanks,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Bernadett says
Hello,
is there any fastferry between Praia and Sal? We would like to travel 30th august, and back a few days later. Is is possible?
If it is, how is easier: to try to book by internet, or to buy a ticket at that time in port of Praia?
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
As far as we know there is no fast ferry between these two islands.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Silvard says
I, too, am wondering about ferry service between Sal and Boa Vista. There must be more availability than just the excursion trimaran…
greg says
Hello
Are there ferry services between Sal and Sao Vicente.
Iv tried the CV fastferry site, and found nothing, but then tried to write to them, but that option was not working, so I still cannot find out!
Thanks
Greg says
Is there any chance of answering my question?
Oe as another enquirer has asked. Is there any other service from Boa Vista to Sal?
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
There are some (cargo) ships also for passengers that run between Sal and Sao Vicente, however it is impossible to fund out the timetable in advance, even for locals. So for scheduling a holiday it is not the best option.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Borja says
Dear friend, I want to go in 27th of August from Sal to Sao Nicolau, this is posible? Price? Best regards
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Bora,
Have you checked already with the ferry company? The easiest way by ferry is coming from Sao Vicente > Sao Nicolau and the ferry departures every Thursday.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org