Sailing area · Cape Verde Islands
cabin charter in the Cape Verde Islands
Cabin charter in the Cape Verde Islands means: trade wind sailing off the coast of West Africa, between desert islands like Sal and Boa Vista, the lively Mindelo on São Vicente and the green mountains of Santo Antão. Many trips are legs of the great Atlantic circuit from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean, others sail for two weeks between the islands. You don't need a sailing licence for this.
Updated: 28 October 2026 · Redaktion toernfinder.de
from 9 providers compared
The essentials at a glance
Season
October to March, mostly November and March
Duration
Mostly 10 days and longer
Most common departure ports
Sal, Mindelo (São Vicente) and Las Palmas (Gran Canaria)
Requirements
No sailing licence required
Trip from 10 days per person
usually 1,750–3,050 €
Current sailing trips in the Cape Verde Islands
Here you'll see a changing selection of current Cape Verde trips, from island trips departing Sal or Mindelo to legs from the Canary Islands to the Cape Verde Islands or onwards to the Caribbean. Use the buttons to narrow the list by trip type. Your enquiry goes directly to the provider, and you also book directly with them.
Last minute: Cape Verde Islands trips in the next 30 days
- 31.10.Atlantic crossing from Cornwall to Cape Verde | 23 days offshore sailing via Madeirafrom Falmouth · 23 daysfrom 4,320 €
- 08.11.From Mallorca to the Caribbean Leg 4 Mindelo – Tortolafrom Mindelo · 20 daysfrom 2,490 €
- 08.11.From La Palma to the Cape Verde Islands…from Las Palmas · 14 daysfrom 1,980 €
- 12.11.Offshore sailing voyage from Madeira to Cape Verde – 1,000 nautical miles of pure ocean experiencefrom Machico · 11 daysfrom 3,000 €
- 22.11.GALINI discovers the world – Pure East-West Atlantic crossingfrom Las Palmas · 22 daysfrom 3,990 €
- 22.11.GALINI discovers the world – Atlantic crossing adventure East-Westfrom Las Palmas · 30 daysfrom 4,480 €
How cabin charter works in the Cape Verde Islands
With cabin charter in the Cape Verde Islands you book a place on board, not the whole boat. The skipper plans the route, sails the boat and carries the responsibility; you are part of the crew.
In the Cape Verde Islands there are two types of trip. Island trips usually last one to two weeks and often start in Sal or Mindelo. Passage trips are part of the Atlantic circuit: in autumn yachts and tall ships sail from the Canary Islands to the Cape Verde Islands and from there to the Caribbean. On these routes people sail around the clock in watches.
Sailing in the Cape Verde Islands: wind and wave
The islands lie in the north-east trade wind. From November to May it blows steadily, often at force 4 to 6, and noticeably stronger in the channels between the islands and at the capes. In the lee of the high islands like Santo Antão or Fogo the wind falls in gusts from the mountains. In winter Saharan dust often clouds visibility, called Bruma Seca in the Cape Verde Islands. Sheltered harbours are rare; many nights are spent at anchor.
Cabin charter in the Cape Verde Islands: commercial or private
In the Cape Verde Islands sailing schools, skippers with their own business and tall ship operators offer places. Alongside them owners on the Atlantic circuit look for crew for the next leg. A special form is hand for a bunk, more on this on the page Working passage.
Törnfinder data
The Cape Verde Islands in numbers
Analysed: all Cape Verde trips published on Törnfinder. As at: 28.10.2026.
Most common departure ports
- 1Sal7 trips
- 2Mindelo4 trips
- 3Las Palmas4 trips
- 4San Sebastian1 trip
- 5Falmouth1 trip
5 %of trips last 7–8 days
20 %are round trips, start and finish in the same port
35 %take place on a traditional sailing vessel
7different departure ports
10countries visited, most often Cape Verde and Spain
6trips start within the next 30 days
In the Cape Verde Islands there are two types of trip: island trips, which usually start in Sal or Mindelo, and routes across the Atlantic which come from the Canary Islands or continue to the Caribbean. That's why harbours outside the Cape Verde Islands also appear amongst the departure ports.
How these figures are calculated
All trips published on Törnfinder in the Cape Verde Islands sailing area with departure dates from today onwards are evaluated; the figures are recalculated twice a day. Prices are per person as stated by providers; offers for a private yacht charter with skipper, which are calculated per boat, are not included in the prices. "Most" refers to the middle half of the offers, excluding the cheapest and most expensive quarters. The departure is the starting harbour named in the listing, and a round trip is a trip with the same departure and destination. The texts on this page are written and checked by the toernfinder.de editorial team.
Sailing in the Cape Verde Islands: the islands at a glance
The Cape Verde Islands lie approximately 300 to 400 nautical miles off the coast of Senegal in the Atlantic. The ten islands are divided into the Windward Islands (Barlavento) in the north and the Leeward Islands (Sotavento) in the south.
The most important marina with berths at pontoons is Marina Mindelo on São Vicente. Usually one lies at anchor or in the harbour, for example in Palmeira on Sal or in Praia on Santiago. Payment is in Cape Verdean escudos; euros are accepted in many places.
Sal and Boa Vista
The flat desert islands in the east have long sandy beaches and the international airport on Sal. Many island trips begin here. Between Sal and Boa Vista the trade winds blow unhindered, resulting in fast broad reaches.
São Vicente and Santo Antão
Mindelo on São Vicente is the meeting point for Atlantic sailors: marina, workshops, markets and Cape Verdean music in the bars. Opposite lies Santo Antão with green valleys and steep mountains. In the channel between both islands the trade winds often become very strong.
Santiago, Fogo and Brava
In the south lie the main island of Santiago with the capital Praia, the volcanic island of Fogo with the Pico do Fogo rising over 2,800 metres, and the small, green island of Brava. The passages from Sal or Mindelo to here are long.
São Nicolau, Maio and Santa Luzia
The small islands in between are called at less frequently. São Nicolau has quiet anchorages, Maio long deserted beaches, and the uninhabited Santa Luzia is a nature reserve.
Clearing in and out
In the Cape Verde Islands the skipper reports to the authorities in every harbour on arrival and departure, including between islands. The boat's crew takes care of this. Anyone arriving by air must register electronically beforehand and pay the airport fee. The current status is given by the Foreign Office.
Planning a trip to the Cape Verde Islands yourself
For the route, cruising guides, nautical charts and the harbour profiles in the sailing magazine. Weather reports for the islands are issued by the national weather service of Cabo Verde (INMG), and for the Atlantic by the offshore weather reports from Météo-France. Anyone wishing to continue from here will find passages on the page an Atlantic crossing.
Departure harbours for sailing trips in the Cape Verde Islands
Island trips in the Cape Verde Islands usually begin on Sal or in Mindelo on São Vicente. Passages that pass through the Cape Verde Islands often start in the Canary Islands, for example in Las Palmas on Gran Canaria.
SalInternational airport, start of many island trips
Best time for a sailing holiday in the Cape Verde Islands
The best time for a sailing holiday in the Cape Verde Islands is November to March. During this period the trade winds blow steadily, there is hardly any rain, and air and water temperatures are around 22 to 26 degrees.
August to October is the rainy season, and many of the tropical storms that later cross the Atlantic as hurricanes form off the Cape Verde Islands. During this time there are hardly any trips.
| Month | Air | Water | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | 27 °C | 27 °C | End of rainy season, first passages from the Canaries |
| November | 26 °C | 26 °C | Trade winds set in, Atlantic sailors head for the Caribbean |
| December | 24 °C | 24 °C | Christmas and New Year on board |
| January | 23 °C | 23 °C | Strong trade winds, often Saharan dust |
| February | 22 °C | 22 °C | Coolest period, steady winds |
| Mar. | 22 °C | 22 °C | Many island trips, dry and sunny |
| April | 22 °C | 22 °C | Few dates, trade winds gradually easing |
Guide values for Sal (maximum air temperature and water temperature as monthly averages) according to klimatabelle.info. Individual years vary.
When the trips start
Most Cape Verde trips start in November and March, with additional dates over Christmas and New Year.
3
Jan2
Feb5
Mar0
Apr0
May0
Jun0
Jul0
Aug0
Sep1
Oct6
Nov3
DecAll Cape Verde trips published on Törnfinder for the next twelve months. As at: 28.10.2026.
Cape Verde sailing trip: island hopping or Atlantic passage?
Almost all trips to Cape Verde last ten days or longer. Many are mile-building trips across the Atlantic, and around one in three takes place on a traditional sailing vessel.
POPULAR
Mile building and Atlantic passage
usually two weeks and longer
From the Canaries or Madeira to Cape Verde, or from Cape Verde to the Caribbean, with watch systems and night sailing.
usually 2,500–4,050 €
View mile-building trips →
Island hopping
10–15 days
Two weeks between the islands, usually from Sal or Mindelo, or a shorter passage from the Canaries.
usually 1,450–2,250 €
View trips of 10–15 days →
Long passage
more than 15 days
Usually the Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean or from Europe all the way to Cape Verde.
usually 2,750–4,400 €
View long trips →
Prices per person from current listings, excluding offers for a private yacht charter with skipper. As at: 28.10.2026.
What does a sailing trip in the Cape Verde Islands cost?
A trip of ten days or more to Cape Verde costs usually 1,750–3,050 € per person, with a day on board costing around 150 € on average. The exact amount depends mainly on route, vessel and duration.
| Trip duration | Price per person (usually) | per day | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10–15 days | 1,450–2,250 € | around 140 € | 11 |
| 16 days or more | 2,750–4,400 € | around 150 € | 7 |
"Usually" means: the middle half of all offers falls within this range; the cheapest and most expensive quarters are not included. Click on the duration to see the corresponding trips.
Flights come on top of the trip price, often to two different places for passages, and usually the galley kitty as well. What is included in the price is stated in the trip description; what typically goes into the kitty is explained in the article Kitty on a sailing trip.
What's included in the price and what goes into the crew kitty
Included in the trip price
- Your bunk on board
- The vessel
- The skipper
Usually via the crew kitty
- Food
- Hafengeld
- Diesel
On some vessels, catering is already included in the price.
What exactly is included is stated in the respective trip description.
Do I need a sailing licence for a sailing trip in the Cape Verde Islands?
No. As crew you don't need a sailing licence, because it's not you but the skipper who commands the vessel.
Only those steering the vessel need a boating licence. For the SSS and SHS you need documented nautical miles, and you collect those quickly on an Atlantic passage: many Cape Verde trips are Mile building with night passages. Sailing courses and theory seminars can be found under Courses & Seminars.
What should you pack for a trip to Cape Verde?
For Cape Verde you mainly need sun protection and light clothing, but for night watches and Atlantic passages you also need oilskins and warm layers.
- Strong sun protection, cap, sunglasses with strap and long-sleeved, light clothing.
- Light oilskins against spray, and for passages waterproof trousers and boots as well.
- Fleece or jumper for the night watches — it gets cool even here at night.
- Head torch with red light and a remedy for seasickness.
- Cash in euros for the first purchases, not everywhere accepts cards.
- Passport and confirmation of the electronic entry registration. A soft bag fits into any bunk.
Other Atlantic sailing areas
Cape Verde lies on the route from the Canaries to the Caribbean.
Frequently asked questions about cabin charter in Cape Verde
Here you will find short answers to the questions that come up most often before a sailing trip to Cape Verde.
Where can I book a sailing trip in the Cape Verde Islands?
Most easily through portals where many providers advertise their trips, so you can compare dates, boats and prices. On Törnfinder you send your enquiry directly to the provider, who confirms your place and enters into the contract with you. Törnfinder itself is not an organiser.
What does a sailing trip in the Cape Verde Islands cost?
A trip of ten days or more costs usually 1,750–3,050 € per person. Flights come on top, often to two different places for passages, plus the galley kitty.
When is the best time to sail in the Cape Verde Islands?
From November to March. The north-east trade wind blows steadily then, there's hardly any rain, and the hurricane season is over. In November many Atlantic sailors set off from here to the Caribbean. From August to October is the rainy season, and tropical storms form in the region.
Can you sail in the Cape Verde Islands over Christmas and New Year?
Yes. On Törnfinder there are regularly trips over the turn of the year, both island trips and legs towards the Caribbean. Which months are currently available is shown in the "When the trips start" chart on this page. Places over the holidays are usually snapped up early.
Which islands belong to the Cape Verde Islands?
Ten islands, nine of which are inhabited. In the north lie the Windward Islands (Barlavento): Santo Antão, São Vicente, Santa Luzia, São Nicolau, Sal and Boa Vista. In the south the Leeward Islands (Sotavento): Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava.
How far are the Cape Verde Islands from the Canary Islands and the Caribbean?
From the Canary Islands to Mindelo is around 850 nautical miles, about a week at sea. From the Cape Verde Islands to the Caribbean is around 2,100 to 2,200 nautical miles, so two to three weeks across the Atlantic.
How strong is the wind in the Cape Verde Islands?
In winter the north-east trade wind often blows at force 4 to 6. Between the islands and at the capes it accelerates noticeably, in the lee of the high islands it becomes gusty. The Atlantic swell runs even on calm days.
Do I need a sailing licence for a sailing trip in the Cape Verde Islands?
No, not as crew. The skipper sails the boat. Anyone wanting to log sea miles towards an advanced sailing licence will find many mile-building trips in the Cape Verde Islands with night passages.
Find current sailing trips to Cape Verde
Use the filter to narrow down by vessel type, trip type and dates, and send your enquiry directly to the provider.