If you’re planning a holiday to Cape Verde, you must visit São Vicente Island: a destination rich in culture, history, and of course, natural beauty. After all, we’re talking about one of the most beautiful archipelagos in the world!
São Vicente Island can be reached by ferry or by plane, with flights from Sal Island and Santiago Island. There are also direct flights from Portugal, France and the Netherlands. As part of the Windward Islands, São Vicente is very close to some of Cape Verde's greenest islands: Santo Antão and São Nicolau.
This jewel of the archipelago offers a variety of attractions that captivate travellers from around the world to spend their holidays in Cape Verde.
Known for the vibrant city of Mindelo and famous for its carnival, São Vicente Island is also the birthplace of the legendary singer Cesária Évora, who generously shared her voice through beautiful "mornas" on the world’s biggest stages.
The island is also home to breathtaking landscapes that offer unforgettable experiences. In this article, you’ll discover the 7 natural wonders that make this land a piece of heaven in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
São Vicente Island is a unique destination for holidays in Cabo Verde
São Vicente stands out in the Cape Verde archipelago for its cosmopolitan atmosphere. The port opened the island to the world, and the locals have long been accustomed to receiving all sorts of “novelties” through the ships that docked there. This contact with foreigners and the “new” ended up shaping the island's way of life.
Nature is always present on the cosmopolitan and cultural Island of São Vicente
Music, art, and major festivals are part of the everyday life of São Vicente and reflect some of the characteristics that make up Cape Verdean DNA: joy, cordiality, relaxation, and kindness, summed up in a typically Creole expression, morabeza.
São Vicente Island is also a great place for practising various water sports during your holidays in Cape Verde. Surfing, windsurfing, bodyboarding, kitesurfing, and sport fishing, especially for swordfish which are abundant in the area, are just a few examples!
In addition to the vibrant cultural life and water sports, São Vicente Island offers a range of natural beauties worth visiting. With white sandy beaches with crystal-clear waters, São Vicente Island is a must-visit destination for those who appreciate sun, beach, sea, culture, and nature.
Let’s take a look:
#1 Wonder of São Vicente Island: Monte Cara
Monte Cara is an impressive rock formation that resembles a human face turned towards the sky. This mountain, one of the most emblematic symbols of São Vicente, is visible from various points on the island, especially from the port of Mindelo.
When you go to Monte Cara, take the opportunity to visit the «12 Voltas»
The hike to the top of Monte Cara is an experience worth taking. The trail to the summit is a great way to stay active if you’re on holiday in Cape Verde. And any effort is rewarded with spectacular panoramic views of São Vicente Island and the Atlantic Ocean. At the top, you can admire the vast landscape, feel the sea breeze, and enjoy the natural beauty around you.
It’s recommended to visit at sunrise or sunset, times of the day when the natural light highlights the beauty of the location even more.
Also, take the opportunity to visit the bay and the natural pool at Fateja, located behind Monte Cara. To enjoy these little wonders, you can go by foot or boat.
#2 Wonder of São Vicente Island: Viana Volcano
Ever thought about meditating inside a volcano crater? Viana Volcano, located south of Calhau, is an extinct volcanic crater. The surrounding scenery is impressive and attracts numerous Geography and Geology enthusiasts.
Whether for meditation inside its crater or hiking its trails, Viana Volcano is a place of unusual beauty
To make the most of the incredible setting, a meditation activity has been created in the crater of Viana Volcano. It starts with a yoga session, followed by a hike around the crater, and concludes with meditation inside. The experience finishes with a swim at Saragarça Beach. Unmissable, right?
During a walk around the crater, you’ll get a close look at intriguing rock formations and vegetation adapted to volcanic soil. Adventurers can explore the trails that wind around the volcano.
The views from the volcano provide a unique perspective of São Vicente Island’s landscape, and the area’s tranquillity, only interrupted by the sounds of nature, creates an atmosphere of peace and connection with nature.
#3 Wonder of São Vicente Island: Ilhéu dos Pássaros
Ilhéu dos Pássaros, also known as Djeu or Lighthouse Island, is a small islet located northwest of Mindelo. This islet is home to a small lighthouse, Farol Dom Luís, serving as a reference point for navigators and a shelter for fishermen. A boat trip offers diving and snorkelling enthusiasts a chance to explore rich marine life, with colourful fish and corals.
Ilhéu dos Pássaros
#4 Wonder of São Vicente Island: Baía do Porto Grande
Also known as Mindelo Bay, Baía do Porto Grande, formed by the underwater crater of a volcano, is a magical place and one of the most impressive bays in the world. Proof of this is its recognition by the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World, an international NGO supported by UNESCO.
It’s one of the most beautiful bays in the world, where marine life abounds
This bay is an important maritime port, the largest in Cape Verde and one of the busiest ports in the world in the 19th century.
A boat trip around the bay will allow you to appreciate its grandeur and beauty. During the trip, you can see anchored boats and the hustle and bustle at the port, as well as the stunning landscape surrounding the bay.
For fishing enthusiasts, Mindelo Bay is a great option during your holidays in Cape Verde, offering the chance to catch various species of fish. We always recommend using the “catch and release” method, which, as the name suggests, involves fishing, admiring the beauty of the fish, taking a photo, and releasing it back into the sea in perfect condition.
But if your ideal Cape Verde holiday is about water sports, take advantage of the Bay to practice sailing and windsurfing, and enjoy the calm waters and favourable winds in the area.
#5 Wonder of São Vicente Island: Norte da Baía Coastline
Northeast of Monte Verde, between Praia Grande and Baía das Gatas, you’ll find the so-called Northern Beaches, which make up Norte da Baía Coastline.
From Norte da Baía Coastline, head to Salamansa. And why not try a horse ride along the beach? It’s an experience you won’t forget!
The vast blue ocean and golden sands make this place a true postcard of almost untouched nature, and it’s an excellent spot for line fishing.
Here, you’ll also find some dune formations that intensify in Salamansa, the next town along.
Norte da Baía is a small village in São Vicente where, like so many other places on the island, you can breathe in art, with painted murals on the walls. The colours enchant those who pass through.
The road that crosses Norte da Baía is one of the most beautiful routes on São Vicente Island, with the Atlantic as the star, alongside various shades of earth and sand dunes. A simply superb view!
If you want to enjoy some more authentic experiences on São Vicente Island during your holidays in Cape Verde, we recommend a horse ride. Lasting between 1 to 3 hours, the ride is almost always along the sea and takes in Norte da Baía Coastline, Gatas Bay, and the fishing village of Salamansa (see the next wonder).
#6 Wonder of São Vicente Island: Salamansa Dunes
From the mountains to the beach, the Salamansa Dunes surprise with their vastness. The smooth undulations of the dunes create a spectacular sight, especially at sunrise and sunset, with the interplay of shadows on the sand. Photography enthusiasts will find countless opportunities here to capture beautiful images.
Dunes, a vast stretch of sand, and an endless blue sea, Salamansa has it all!
The dunes are also a great place for peaceful walks, allowing you to connect deeply with nature and enjoy the serenity of the environment during your holidays in Cape Verde.
The Salamansa Dunes are very close to the fishing village of Salamansa, home to warm, welcoming people where morabeza is part of daily life.
Salamansa Beach is also worth a visit, especially for those who appreciate a bay with clear, warm waters, perfect for kiting and windsurfing.
#7 Wonder of São Vicente Island: Monte Verde
Monte Verde is the highest point on the island of São Vicente, at 774 metres. It is also a privileged place to appreciate the island's native species, as 70% are concentrated in this natural park, which is a protected area. Birds such as the falcon and the oystercatcher are commonly spotted here.
From the top, you have a panoramic view of the entire island and Mindelo Bay. Onclear days, you can see the islands of Santo Antão, Santa Luzia, Ilhéus Branco, Ilhéus Raso, and sometimes São Nicolau.
The view from Monte Verde is breathtaking!
The hike up Monte Verde is an enriching experience, offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, and providing an opportunity to observe the flourishing life around you.
A great way to discover other places to visit on São Vicente Island during your holidays in Cape Verde is through the CTES - Centre for Tourism and Solidarity Economy, located at the Municipal Market on Rua de Lisboa. In addition to information, you can also find various products made by local communities. Well worth a visit!
Visit São Vicente Island on your next holidays in Cape Verde!
São Vicente Island is a true paradise for nature and adventure lovers. Each of its 7 natural wonders is a gateway to unique and unforgettable experiences. From the majestic views of Monte Verde and Monte Cara to the tranquil waters of Porto Grande Bay, passing through Viana Volcano and the beaches that captivate the senses, there’s always an activity to create lasting memories.
Start planning your holidays to Cape Verde now, visit São Vicente Island, and discover the adventures awaiting you!
Sources: Catalogue of the Natural and Territorial Heritage of Cape Verde.
