Where is Cape Verde?

Despite being a popular and well-known destination, many people think Cape Verde is just one island, that there's nothing there, and that they're all the same. Nothing could be more wrong.

Cape Verde . A name that evokes sunny beaches, mellow rhythms, and perhaps a touch of wind. But what do you really know about this archipelago off the coast of Africa?

To many, Cape Verde is a single, vague, exotic island. In reality, we're talking about ten islands (nine inhabited) in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Senegal in West Africa, comprising an independent and complex nation, each with its own unique identity. If you think you know it, prepare to have your assumptions questioned.

Myth 1: It's just one island, no there are 10

A quick glance at the map is enough to see the error. The archipelago is divided into two main groups: Barlavento (Windward, to the north), which includes Sal and Boavista, and Sotavento (Leeward, to the south), which includes Santiago and Fogo. Each island is a world unto itself. Don't make the mistake of thinking that seeing Sal is the same as seeing Santo Antão!

Why is it called Cape Verde?

Cape Verde takes its name from the westernmost point of continental Africa, located in present-day Senegal, also known as Pointe des Almadies. When navigators explored that coast in the 15th century, they found a verdant peninsula that contrasted with the surrounding arid Sahara desert, and they named it "Cabo Verde" (Cape Verde in Portuguese).

Later, when they discovered the uninhabited archipelago off the west coast of Africa in 1456–1460, they named it the "Cape Verde Islands" because of their proximity to that promontory.

Today, the archipelago isn't particularly green—it's mostly arid and semi-desert, especially on the eastern islands. But it appears to have been so at the time of discovery. The name therefore reflects its geographic location relative to the African cape rather than the characteristics of the islands themselves.

A dive into history: the discovery is of Italian and Portuguese traction.

The history of Cape Verde is closely tied to 15th-century maritime exploration. The uninhabited islands were first sighted around 1456, an event involving two navigators of Italian origin, albeit in the service of Portugal:

Alvise Cadamosto (Venetian): He is credited with sighting the first islands, a pioneer in Atlantic navigation.

Antonio da Noli (Genoese): Later, he was the one who reached and explored many of the islands, becoming the first governor (captain) of Santiago.

It was the Portuguese Crown that established the colonization, transforming the archipelago into a crucial trading hub.

The indelible mark of Italy: Sal Airport

Beyond its discovery, Italy has left an indelible and surprising mark in more recent times. The current Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID) on the island of Sal would not have existed without Italy's contribution.

It was built in the late 1930s, during the twenty-year Fascist period, as a refueling stop for the Italian airline LATI (Linee Aeree Transcontinentali Italiane), which established a transatlantic connection between Italy and South America. A piece of history that still welcomes thousands of tourists to the country today!

Debunking the Criticisms: Wind, Desert, and Nothing Else

You'll often hear that Cape Verde is all about wind and desert. Let's see why these are distorted perceptions:

"It's always windy" : Yes, Cape Verde is a windy destination, especially on the easternmost islands like Sal and Boa Vista. This isn't a bad thing, but a blessing ! The wind, known as the trade wind , keeps temperatures pleasant, avoids heat, and is the reason these islands are a world-class paradise for kitesurfing and windsurfing.

"Are they all desert or all green?" : All the islands are of volcanic origin , but the impact of the wind and the relief creates interesting contrasts.

Islands like Sal, Boavista, and Maio are more exposed to the wind and have sandy deserts and endless beaches.

The mountainous islands (such as Santo Antão, Fogo, and Santiago) manage to retain humidity, offering lush valleys, microclimates, and thriving agriculture, perfect for trekking.

Boavista: The Desert That Meets the Ocean

Boavista (or Boa Vista) is the island to choose if you're looking for a trip that's the perfect mix of relaxing on Caribbean beaches, adrenaline-filled sports, and the thrill of discovering a landscape where desert, wind, and ocean merge. It's a sparsely populated island measuring 620 square kilometers (240 square miles), with just 16,000 inhabitants, most concentrated in Sal Rei, the capital. Here, you'll find oases, beaches, dunes, basalt volcanic formations, and freshwater waterfalls.

The Island of Endless Sand : Being the closest to the African continent, Boa Vista's dominant feature is the desert. The Viana Desert is a sea of white sand that accumulates in spectacular dunes, almost a miniature Sahara. It is said to have been formed by sand from the Sahara washed by the ocean, which is why it is so fine and impalpable.

55 km of beaches The island is bordered by some of the 10 most beautiful beaches in Africa, such as Praia Curallinho, known as Santa Monica for its resemblance to the famous Californian beach, and the longest in Cape Verde. It offers endless space and powerful waves for strolls in complete solitude. But the most striking feature is undoubtedly Morro de Areia, where immaculate dunes plunge into the blue ocean.

Wind and marine life : The constant wind makes it a world-renowned hotspot for sailing sports. But Boa Vista is also a marine sanctuary: between July and October, its beaches are a crucial nesting site for the loggerhead sea turtle , while from February to May the waters are frequented by breeding humpback whales , offering an unforgettable spectacle.

Why Choose Cape Verde and a Guide to Choosing the Islands

Cape Verde is the perfect choice for those seeking a destination that combines dreamlike relaxation, adventure, and a rich, melancholic culture dominated by Morabeza, the Cape Verdean welcome , and Sodade, that typical feeling of longing and nostalgia.

Find Your Ideal Island

If your dream is total relaxation and miles of sand interspersed with the thrill of spotting turtles and whales, outings to restaurants and the occasional evening with music, then the answer, as mentioned, is Boa Vista .

Those seeking a similar atmosphere but with a greater concentration of activities and nightlife will prefer Sal , also famous for the Pedra de Lume salt flats, the beautiful Santa Maria beach, and spots for kiteboarding and other water sports. There's also Maio, wild and unspoiled, full of beaches and small villages, still not the easiest to reach, but for this reason also authentic.

For lovers of music and partying , the destination is undoubtedly São Vicente . Home to the legendary Cesária Évora, the island boasts a vibrant cultural capital, Mindelo. Major music festivals are held here, and above all, Cape Verde's grandest and most colorful Carnival , a veritable explosion of Brazilian and Cape Verdean rhythms.

If you're a trekker looking for a mountain challenge, your choice falls on Santo Antão (with its lush trails) or Fogo , which challenges you to climb its active volcano and then toast with the unique wines produced on the lava soil. From here, you can take a ferry to Brava, the small island of flowers.

Finally, for those seeking immersion in pure African history and culture , Santiago , with its capital Praia and the ancient Cidade Velha (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), represents the historical and political heart of the archipelago. São Nicolau is the Windward Island, perhaps the most difficult to reach but no less fascinating, with its black and white beaches, the dragoeiro, a tree found only here, and its unique cultural heritage.

Cape Verde isn't a single destination: it's a mosaic of islands waiting to be explored. Forget your preconceptions. Let yourself be captivated by the soul of each island.

All the islands deserve to be experienced and explored at your leisure : don't get anxious and plan a trip of at least 10 days for two islands and 15 days for three islands. Keep in mind that travel between the islands is not easy: there are few domestic flights or ferries. But with the support of ILB, you can organize a special trip with tours between the islands, perhaps arriving on one island and returning from another.

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