Getting around

Getting Around Cape Verde: Island-Hopping by Air

Cape Verde's own islands sit far enough apart, and its inter-island ferry network is unreliable enough, that domestic flights are the practical backbone of any multi-island trip.

Updated 2026-08-16

Domestic Flights Are the Real Connective Tissue

Cape Verde's domestic carriers connect the archipelago's main islands with regular scheduled flights, and for most visitors this is the only realistic way to combine more than one island in a single trip — the distances involved, and the open Atlantic between islands, rule out anything resembling a quick hop by road or short boat ride the way island-hopping might work in a more tightly clustered archipelago. Flight schedules can be less frequent on the smaller, quieter islands like Maio, São Nicolau or Brava than on Sal, Boa Vista or Santiago, so building flexibility into a multi-island itinerary, rather than a tight back-to-back schedule, avoids being caught out by a route that only operates a few days a week.

Ferries Exist, but Don't Plan Around Them

Inter-island ferries connect several of the archipelago's islands, and the short Mindelo-to-Santo Antão crossing in particular is a reliable, well-used route — but the wider ferry network beyond that specific crossing has a genuine reputation for unreliable scheduling, delays and occasional cancellations tied to sea conditions. Treat ferries as a workable option for well-established short crossings between neighbouring islands, and treat domestic flights as the dependable choice for anything longer or for islands without a direct ferry link at all.

Booking Ahead in Peak Season

Domestic flight capacity is limited by the size of Cape Verde's own aircraft fleet, and popular routes — especially to and from Sal and Boa Vista during the busiest resort season — can sell out well in advance. Booking domestic legs at the same time as international flights, rather than waiting to arrange them locally, is the more reliable approach for a trip built around visiting more than one island, particularly if the itinerary has fixed return-flight dates that don't leave room to improvise.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, and many visitors do, but plan around domestic flights as the main connector rather than ferries — the islands sit far enough apart, and the wider ferry network is unreliable enough, that flying is the dependable way to combine islands, with the short Mindelo-to-Santo Antão ferry crossing as the main reliable exception.

Yes, especially for routes to and from Sal and Boa Vista during peak season, since capacity on Cape Verde's domestic fleet is limited and popular legs can sell out. Booking domestic flights alongside your international ticket is more reliable than arranging them locally.

For most routes, not entirely — ferry schedules beyond well-established short crossings like Mindelo to Santo Antão have a real reputation for delays and cancellations. Treat ferries as a good option for short, established crossings and flights as the dependable choice for everything else.

Part of the Cape Verde guide.

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