Cape Verde island hopping

Island hopping is where Cape Verde gets its magic — and where trips go wrong. Domestic flights and ferries connect the islands, but schedules shift, so the skill is picking realistic combinations and always leaving a buffer.

The golden rules

1. Never plan a same-day island transfer straight onto your international flight home.
2. Build in a buffer night whenever a ferry is involved.
3. Fewer islands, enjoyed properly, beats a checklist.

Combinations at a glance

Route	Verdict
São Vicente + Santo Antão / 7 days	Recommended — short, reliable ferry
Santiago + Fogo / 8 days	Possible with a buffer day (short flight)
Sal + Boa Vista / 7 days	Recommended — both beach islands, easy
Sal + Santo Antão / 5 days	Not recommended — too far apart for the time
Sal + São Vicente + Santo Antão / 10 days	Recommended with buffers

The classic hop: São Vicente ↔ Santo Antão

The short ferry between São Vicente and Santo Antão is the single best island-hop in the country: music and nightlife in Mindelo, then the finest hiking in Cape Verde a boat ride away.

Check your own combination

Use the route builder in the trip planner — tell it your nights and style and it suggests islands with the buffer nights already accounted for.