Plongée à Cape Verde — Cape Verde

Cape Verde's volcanic islands sit in the mid-Atlantic with a unique mix of tropical and temperate marine life. Sal and Boa Vista islands are the dive hubs, with lemon shark encounters, seasonal whale sharks, and volcanic rock formations. Still under the radar for most divers, which keeps the reefs pristine.

Score
52.4
Visibilité
12–30m
Température
19–27°C
Meilleurs mois
April, November
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World Class
Intermediate
Cape Verde
Cape VerdeAtlantic
52.4

SCORE

16.7333°N

-22.9333°E

Cape Verde's volcanic islands sit in the mid-Atlantic with a unique mix of tropical and temperate marine life. Sal and Boa Vista islands are the dive hubs, with lemon shark encounters, seasonal whale sharks, and volcanic rock formations. Still under the radar for most divers, which keeps the reefs pristine.

Africa's Atlantic Volcanic Dive Islands

Visibility12–30 m
Temperature19–27°C
Max Depth40 m
Currentmoderate
2-Tank Dive$70
Best MonthsApril, November
CertificationOpen WaterIntermediate

Score Breakdown

Click any score to see a detailed breakdown

ML26.0CH31.0VIS76.0SV31.0TMP56.0DA62.0OP73.0TS64.0GT68.0VAL60.0CRD57.0SP57.0

Marine Life

26.0

Species diversity, megafauna encounters, reef fish abundance, macro life, and endemic species.

Species Diversity
32
Megafauna Encounters
0
Reef Fish Abundance
66
Macro Life
0
Endemic Species
30
Marine Life Diversity
26.0
Coral & Reef Health
31.0
Visibility & Conditions
76.0
Dive Site Variety
31.0
Water Temperature
56.0
Depth & Access
62.0
Operator Quality
73.0
Topside Experience
64.0
Getting There
68.0
Value & Cost
60.0
Crowding
57.0
Social Proof
57.0

Key Species

Dive Types

pelagic

Traveling with Non-Divers?

Your non-diving travel companions will find plenty to enjoy topside while you're underwater. Here are some activities to consider.

Activities for Non-Divers

Pico do Fogo volcano hike (Fogo Island)Santa Maria beach (Sal)windsurfing & kitesurfingMindelo music scene (Cesaria Evora hometown)turtle nesting (Jul-Oct)

Nearby Cultural Sites

  • Cidade Velha (UNESCO, first European colonial city in tropics)
  • Mindelo cultural scene

Non-Diver Score

7/10

Good topside options for non-diving companions.

Family FriendlyYes
Restaurants & Nightlifemoderate

Safety & Emergency

Dive Insurance

DAN recommends dive insurance for all divers.

Learn more at DAN.org
Hyperbaric Chamber500 km — Nearest chamber in Canary Islands or Dakar
Nearest Hospital10 km

Basic hospitals on Sal and Santiago; no chamber in-country — evacuation to Canaries or Lisbon

Skill LevelIntermediate
Current Strengthmoderate

Top Operators

Scuba Caribe Cape Verde

PADI

4.6
120 reviewsNITROX

Dive Tribe Cape Verde

SSI

4.5
80 reviews