Cape Verde: active and adventure holiday ideas

Janine Kelso explores what the West African Cape Verde islands can offer holidaymakers with a taste for sport and adventure

Cape Verde is increasingly popular for beach holidays, but it also has a huge range of activities to suit all kinds of clients. Here are a few suggestions.

Surfing and windsurfing

With a year-round breeze and top quality waves, Cape Verde is a windsurfer’s dream. Cultural island São Vincente is hailed as one of the world’s top windsurfing destinations, drawing in international sports stars – especially to São Pedro beach.

The waves are also great for surfers, kitesurfers and bodyboarders. Boa Vista is also ideal for windsurfing.  

Horse riding

Pretend you’re in a romantic movie by taking to the saddle and riding along a stunning beach as the waves lap the shore. Lessons are available in Sal, São Vicente and Santiago.

Trekking

The best way to appreciate the lush green valleys and volcanic peaks of the islands of Santiago, Santo Antão and Fogo is to take a stroll along rough tracks created by the locals.

Dancing

Grab a partner and shake your booty to local dance, the funana, the Cape Verde equivalent of salsa. The islands have plenty of festivals, the best of which is the annual Mardi Gras in late February.

Fishing

Many locals make a living from fishing and use traditional methods to snare their catch. Tourists can spend a half or full day with a fisherman to learn more about this fascinating job.

The Cape Verde Experience advises deep-sea fishing fans to contact World Sport Fishing.

Diving

Surrounded by reefs rich with marine life and wrecks, which are hundreds of years old, Cape Verde is a diver’s paradise. Dolphins, turtles, shark, rockfish and bream can be spotted in this underwater world. Boa Vista has a number of ancient wrecks worth exploring.

• Read our guide to island-hopping in Cape Verde