Exploring the Cape Verde Islands

Overview
Dates & Prices
Itinerary
Maps
Ship Information
Highlights

Like the Azores but even more remote, the Cape Verde Islands are an intriguing archipelago located off the coast of Senegal. They are an amazingly varied group of islands that have been used as a staging post by mariners through the ages. This is an ideal archipelago for expedition cruising and with the MS Island Sky as our base we can island hop with great ease.

Here we find arid flat islands with extraordinary beaches and sand dunes contrasting with lush mountainous islands. It is a little world of its own and each island has its own distinct culture. On some islands the infrastructure is minimal but with our nimble Zodiacs we are able to land on the remotest of islands and explore on foot.

With a flexible itinerary, we can take an intimate look at these contrasting islands, something that would not be possible by any other means. Our cruise promises to be a most memorable experience and for those who enjoy visiting out of the way islands where tourists are a rarity, it is a unique opportunity.

Additional charges:

Visas $None USD pp

Exploring the Cape Verde Islands itinerary:

Day 1 - LONDON GATWICK TO PRAIA, SAO TIAGO.

Fly by specially chartered flight. Embark MS Island Sky in the afternoon and moor overnight.

Day 2 - PRAIA.

The island of Sao Tiago and in particular the capital of Praia is a busy town with a very African feel. We drive to nearby Cidade Velha the old Portuguese capital with a rich history. See the fort and cathedral which dominate the narrow cobbled lanes and stone houses which were once the centre of the slave trade. Later, visit the National Maritime Museum of marine archaeology where treasure retrieved from the deep are on display. After lunch we will explore the interior of the island passing along windy roads, steep mountains, green valleys and small villages.

Day 3 & 4 - FOGO & BRAVA.

Over the next couple of days we will visit both Fogo & Brava. Fogo is an extraordinary place. Known as the ‘Mother Island’ it has its own unique character and people. It’s a volcano that rises steeply out of the Atlantic and has become an island, the summit reaching some 3000 metres. An island drive will take us through dramatically contrasting areas of fertile valleys that are dominated by the massive grey volcanic cone of Pico de Fogo. Later, call into the main town of Sao Filipe, a gracious town of faded grandeur with its pretty squares and wide boulevards of colonial houses. Brava is often referred to as the ‘Secret Island’ it is sometimes mist shrouded and the humid conditions produce wonderful conditions for the flora. It is also one of the most mountainous of the islands with soaring peaks and deep valleys. There will be opportunities here for walkers and a tour which will include arguably the most beautiful bay in the islands at Faja d’Agua with its pretty nearby village. The capital of Nova Sintra, named after its namesake in Portugal is a charming town full of colour from the blooming hibiscus and bougainvillea.

Day 5 - SANTO ANTAO & SAO VINCENT.

We awake this morning to the lush and mountainous sight of Santo Antao. Our exploration of this beautiful island with its piercing volcanic peaks and canyons will include a drive from Porto Novo to Ribeira Grande where we can observe the stunning scenery. In the early evening we sail across to the nearby island of Sao Vincent and the town of Mindelo. This is one of the most attractive of all Cape Verde towns with its colonial buildings, cobbled streets, cafes and lively restaurants. Mindelo is known as the cultural capital of the islands and for those who wish to experience the nightlife and music a tour will be arranged after dinner on board.

Day 6 - MINDELO, SAO VINCENT.

This morning go ashore for a tour of Mindelo, including the national museum of handy craft and a guitar builder. In the afternoon there will be time to explore at leisure.

Day 7 - SAO NICOLAU.

We arrive at Sao Nicholau after breakfast. This is a charming, peaceful and attractive island of plantations, small holdings and busy farming villages. It’s a walkers paradise and arrangements will be made for those who would like to explore on foot with a local guide. For the less energetic there will be a visit to the main town of Ribeira Brava, a quaint capital centred around a main square and garden, followed by a scenic drive around the island.

Day 8 - SAL.

Although, not regarded as the loveliest of the islands it does posses one of the most amazing beaches to be found anywhere else in the world. This morning we will drive out to Pedra de Lume and visit the salt mines, in the afternoon explore the pretty town of Santa Maria and spend time on the beach.

Day 9 - MAIO.

Spend the morning on the tiny island of Maio, a peaceful island with vast deserted beaches. Due to winds and erosion this relatively flat island shows little evidence of its volcanic past. Today will be a relaxing day allowing time at leisure to walk in the sand dunes and along the long beach next to the capital of Vila do Maio with its huge white Baroque church and pretty pastel painted houses.

Day 10 - SAO TIAGO TO LONDON GATWICK.

Disembark this morning and return to London by special charter flight.

Map for Exploring the Cape Verde Islands

Island Sky

With a maximum passenger capacity of only 116, a vessel of her size is capable of carrying many more but instead the MS Island Sky has the benefit of unusually large suites, luxuriously appointed public areas and spacious outside decks.

On board there is a high ratio of crew to passengers. Our friendly crew of 75 are mainly Filipino and Eastern European and our Scandinavian captains are experienced mariners, having been in service aboard large 2000 plus passenger vessels and who now prefer a less frantic life aboard a small ship. If, like them and us, you prefer a more peaceful life at sea, you will find the MS Island Sky the perfect ship. When choosing the vessel for your next voyage of discovery, you can select a ship with endless entertainment and impersonal service or come with us where peace, high quality service and attention to detail are the order of the day. We promise there will be no organised entertainment, fancy dress, deck games or any of the usual big ship experiences. The atmosphere on board is more akin to a private yacht or country hotel. A little music in the lounge or bar after dinner, guest speakers, informative port briefings from our cruise director and of course good food which may be enjoyed leisurely in the attractive dining room. After a day ashore you will return to the comfort and peace of a well run and exceedingly comfortable ship.

Your Suite
Onboard there are 57 exceptionally spacious and well designed suites. All feature a sitting room area and some have private balconies. The feeling of luxury is enhanced by the wood panelling and brass, which predominates throughout the vessel conveying the atmosphere of a private yacht. The passenger accommodation is arranged over five decks and all suites have outside views. Each affords considerable comfort with en-suite bathroom featuring marble-topped vanity unit with sink and walk-in shower, large wardrobes, dressing table with large mirror and stool and excellent storage. There is a mini-fridge, flat screen television with inbuilt DVD player which can also play CDs and a telephone in each suite. Bottled water, towelling dressing gowns and slippers are also provided for your comfort. Other facilities include a programmable electronic safe, hairdryer, assorted toiletries and individually controlled air-conditioning and heating. The suites on each deck have their own colour theme. Soft hues and blended tones enhance the traditional maritime style making the passenger accommodation an inviting and relaxing place to be.

Your Space
The spacious and finely decorated public rooms include a large lounge where daily briefings and talks will be provided throughout the voyage and an elegant bar where a pianist plays periodically throughout the day. The bar also features a 24-hour tea and coffee station. The onboard library is the perfect place to relax with a book and is stocked with reference books pertaining to the places the vessel is visiting along with a selection of games and two computers with internet access. Daily newspapers and magazines are also placed in the library depending on local availability. There is also WI-FI access throughout the vessel. Outside there is a rear sun deck where meals are served in warm weather under shade, a bar and comfortable deck furniture for sun bathing or relaxing with a book. On the top deck there is a Jacuzzi and further observation and sun deck. There is also a small hairdressers on board with appointments made on request.

Your Dining
Another benefit of a small ship is the quality of the cuisine. With only one sitting and a maximum of just over 100 passengers, the galley is able to provide delicious meals. Where possible and when it meets his high standards, the chef will obtain local produce in markets or buy the catch of the day from a passing fishing boat. Such purchases enhance the well stocked larders and bring a local touch to the varied menus. In the main elegant dining room, breakfast is served buffet-style, with certain items cooked to order and lunch and dinner is à la carte. When weather permits, breakfast and a buffet-style lunch are also served on deck. To enhance your dining experience even further a selection of wines are included with lunch and dinner. Afternoon tea is served in the lounge and tea and coffee are available 24 hours. With sufficient notice, most diets can be catered for on board.

Exploring Ashore & Expedition Cruising
Our inclusive pricing policy for the MS Island Sky means that the majority of shore excursions are included in the price of your cruise. Due to her size the MS Island Sky has the freedom of the seas and can come alongside in small docks or drop anchor in any suitable spot. In remote, undeveloped areas or places with restricted access, we will use the vessel’s tender to go ashore and when the vessel is operating expedition cruises in areas such as the British Isles, we will employ the vessel’s Zodiacs. These inflatable craft offer marvellous manoeuverability allowing us access to otherwise impossible landing places. There is snorkelling equipment onboard and when weather and location permits, the expedition team will set up a snorkelling platform. One of the joys of expedition cruising aboard a small vessel is the flexibility it allows. We have twenty years experience of designing trips to some of the most remote places in the world and although we set sail with a set itinerary it is the unscheduled events that often become the highlight of the journey. It is our belief that you do not go on holiday to be part of the all engulfing masses which descend on a town when a number of large ships dock at the same time. Arriving at a port for the first time should be an invigorating experience and can certainly be so when the right place is chosen and your arrival is on a small ship. With only 116 passengers, there is no queuing to disembark or embark the MS Island Sky for an excursion and when required there will only be three coaches waiting on the quayside to transport you to the day’s attraction as opposed to a whole fleet waiting for the passengers travelling on the big ships.

For Your Comfort & Security & Safety
Our vessel is equipped with the latest safety, navigation and communications equipment along with roll stabilizers to minimize the ship’s motion. The captain and officers operate an open-bridge policy that allows passengers onto the bridge at most times with the exception of arrival and departure from port and during times of complicated navigation. Here you can check the ship’s progress by charts and learn more from the officers about your journey. There is also a dedicated channel on your television in your suite showing the routing of the vessel along with technical information and estimated times of arrival and departure from port. On board you will also find a clinic and doctor and a lift that serves all decks. Smoking on board is restricted to outside decks only.