Ferry

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 once a week on Thursday between Mindelo (Sao Vicente) and Tarrafal (Sao Nicolau). The departure from Sao Vicente is at 12:00 and from Sao Nicolau 19:00. 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.