Santo Antão Highlights: Day Trip by Car with Ferry from São Vicente, Cape Verde

Duration

11 hours

Languages

German, Portuguese, English, French, Spanish, Dutch

Guests

1-10

Santo Antão boasts of green valleys, mountains, vegetation and traditional farming lifestyle, hardworking people and rich culture, which can not be justified by words, but must be taken in by your encounter

Included

Guide
Transfer
Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation in Mindelo
Harbor transfers
Round-trip ferry tickets
Private vehicle and local guide
Grogue distillery visit
Liability insurance
Guide fluent in English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish

Not included

Lunch
Personal expenses
Alcohol beverages
Gratuities

Itinerary

Mindelo. Get picked up from your accommodation in Mindelo, transfer to the Harbor for your adventure by Ferry to our neighboring Island, Santo Antão. Paradise right across the canal only an hour by ferry from São Vicente

Harbor of Mindelo. Arrive to the Harbor of Mindelo, board the ferry for your trip to our neighboring Island of Santo Antão

Porto Novo. Arrive to the Harbor of Santo Antão, Porto Novo, prepare for an incredible journey through the mountains and valleys of Paradise

Old Road. Begin driving along the old road to the top of Cova Volcano Crater

Cova Crater. We arrive to the Volcano Crater of Cova de Paúl - A must see! Atop of Cova crater you will have breathtaking views of the immense lush green valley below

Pico da Cruz. From this view point you will feel and smell the fresh air of the pine and eucalyptus tree forest, a truly refreshing and special place

Delgadin Mountain Ridge. Delgadin a perfect mountaintop place for photographs in Santo Antão, a famous place to photograph, also amazing that you can witness a different valley on either side of this ridge.

Ribeira Grande - Povacao. Arrive to Povacao one of the main cities in Santo Antão, a small, busy town equipped with school, hospital, banks, also beautiful street art

Ribeira de Torre - Xôxô. Known as one of the most fertile valleys on the Island "Banana Valley"

Ponta do Sol. Visit the charming sea side village Ponta do Sol. Amazing to see the fisherman and village at work

Paúl. Travel through the picturesque village of Paúl with its thatched roof houses and beautiful vegetation

Villa das Pombas. Passing by the colorful seaside town of Villa das Pombas on the coastal road

Janela. Check out the small fishing village of Janela as you pass by going through the mountain tunnels, you will be amazed at the construction of homes right along the mountains edge

Porto Novo. Return to Porto Novo on the coastal road, catch the afternoon ferry to return to Mindelo after a day of exploring one of the most memorable, and beautiful places on earth!

Harbor of Mindelo

Mindelo. Enjoy a transfer to your accommodation in Mindelo

Don't forget!

Documents Required (for ferry):At least 24 hours before your trip, please send us either a photo* of your passport or the following details:Full name (as on passport)Passport numberDate of birthExpiry dateNationalityCountry of issue*A photo of each child’s passport is also required for inter-island travel.Accessibility:Most of the tour is by van, with short, optional walks at scenic viewpointsRoads include mountain passes with high altitudesGroup Tours:If this is an open group tour, your guide may speak in more than one language as needed. Passport (photo on phone is accepted)Comfortable clothing and walking shoesHat, sunglasses, sunscreenSweater or light jacket (mountain and ocean air can be cool)Cash in euros or escudos (restaurants and local businesses do not accept cards, Lunch is not included. Typical cost: €10–20)Medication if you are prone to seasickness, its recommended to take 1 hour before travel (ferry crossing is usually calm, but weather dependent)

Begin your day with an early pick-up from your accommodation in Mindelo and transfer to the harbor for a scenic ferry ride to Santo Antão (approximately 1 hour). Enjoy ocean views and keep an eye out for dolphins or flying fish along the way.

Upon arrival in Porto Novo, meet your local guide for a full-day island tour that brings the beauty and stories of Santo Antão to life. Travel the breathtaking Old Mountain Road to the volcanic crater of Cova de Paúl, with panoramic views of the island’s dramatic landscapes. Stop at the Mountain Ridge of Delgadinho to admire the lush green valleys below.

Continue through historic towns and coastal villages, including Ribeira Grande, Ponta do Sol, Sinagoga, and Paúl. Enjoy a traditional Cape Verdean lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a visit to a distillery to learn about the island’s famous sugarcane liquor, Grogue.

After the tour, return to Porto Novo via the scenic New Coastal Road and board the ferry back to São Vicente. A transfer will be waiting at the harbor to take you back to your accommodation in Mindelo.