Atlantic
Santo Antão
Cabo Verde
A labyrinth reef, black-coral walls and a cavern near Porto Novo
23–27°C · 73–81°Fintermediate
Country
Diving in Cabo Verde
4 dive destinations in Cabo Verde, up to 250 km apart. Water temperature across them runs 20–28 °C. All 4 are in season in Mar–Jun and Sep–Nov. 19 named dive sites have their own pages.
São Vicente & Mindelo · photo Jerome Paillet (IFREMER, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Physique et Spatiale, Centre Bretagne - ZI de la Pointe du Diable -
- Destinations
- 4
- Dive sites
- 19
- Water
- 20–28°C
- Most in season
- Mar–Jun and Sep–Nov
RegionAtlantic
Where are the dive destinations in Cabo Verde?
- 1Santo AntãoApr–Jun
- 2São Vicente & MindeloJul–Nov
- 3Cabo VerdeApr–Jun
- 4Boa VistaJun–Sep
Numbers match the table below. Land outline: Natural Earth (public domain).
How do they compare?
| # | Destination | Best months | Water | Visibility | Depth | Level | Access | Sites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santo Antão | Apr–Jun | 23–27°C | — | 6–30 m | Intermediatesites from beginner to advanced | Day boat, Shore | 5 |
| 2 | São Vicente & Mindelo | Jul–Nov | 20–27°C | 15–30 m | 8–30 m | Intermediatesites from beginner to intermediate | Day boat | 5 |
| 3 | Cabo Verde — Sal | Apr–Jun | 22–28°C | 10–30 m | 8–35 m | Intermediatesites from intermediate to advanced | Shore, Day boat | 3 |
| 4 | Boa Vista | Jun–Sep | 21–28°C | — | 7–22 m | Intermediatesites from beginner to advanced | Day boat | 6 |
When is the best time to dive Cabo Verde?
The most destinations are rated good or prime at the same time in Mar–Jun and Sep–Nov: 4 of 4. Each row is one destination's own season rating.
| Destination | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Santo Antão | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Good |
| 2São Vicente & Mindelo | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good |
| 3Cabo Verde | Fair | Fair | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Fair | Fair | Good | Prime | Prime | Good |
| 4Boa Vista | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Fair |
| Good or prime | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Which destinations combine into one trip?
Destinations that fit within 200 km of each other end to end and share at least one month rated good or prime. Distances are straight lines between destinations, not travel routes.
17 km end to end
In season together: Year-round
47 km end to end
In season together: Mar–Jun and Sep–Nov
All 4 destinations in Cabo Verde
A shallow wreck, a cave dive and drifts, all a short boat ride from Mindelo
20–27°C · 68–81°Fvis 30 m · 100 ftintermediate
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Nurse sharks rest in Regona's volcanic cavern maze off Santa Maria
22–28°C · 72–82°Fvis 30 m · 100 ftintermediate
Atlantic
Boa Vista
Cabo Verde
Sand tiger and nurse sharks rest in the caves of Shark Point's wall
21–28°C · 70–82°Fintermediate