ISLAND hopping is sometimes the best way to see an archipelago – and that goes for Cabo Verde, otherwise known as Cape Verde.
The African Islands including Sal and Boa Vista will soon be easier to visit thanks to new domestic planes going in-between each destination.
5
5
Cabo Verde Airlines has recently added two former IndiGo-operated planes to its fleet from TrueNoord.
The hope is the new aircraft will boost the airline’s ability to meet the increasing demand of travelling between the country.
As for where it will be based, the planes will be at Praia International Airport on Santiago Island.
Maarten Grift, sales director at TrueNoord said: “Intra-island connectivity is a geographic necessity and vital for the economy of the country.
“African airlines operating domestic and regional routes are actively looking to expand their fleets.
“We are seeing a strong increase in demand for all regional aircraft types, but in particular turboprop aircraft, which are well suited to providing efficient and frequent connectivity across Africa’s diverse and often challenging terrain.”
Cape Verde is made up of 10 islands divided into two groups, the Barlavento Islands; Santo Antão, São Vicente, Santa Luzia (uninhabited), São Nicolau, Sal, and Boa Vista.
And the Sotavento Islands; Maio, Santiago, Fogo, and Brava.
The most popular island in Cape Verde is Sal, which is known for its sunny, dry climate and pretty golden sand beaches.
One of the popular activities on the island is due to the strong winds which make it a great destination for surfing and kitesurfing.
5
5
Another popular spot is Boa Vista which is known for its beautiful beaches as well as being home to loggerhead turtles.
The route between Sal and Boa Vista takes just 25 minutes, a one-way flight between the islands in September is CVE 864 which is £6.81.
From the UK, Brits can travel to Praia, Sao Vincente, Sal and Boa Vista.
For travellers, one of the best parts about getting to the islands, is that the time difference from the UK is only one hour – so you won’t even get jetlag.
During the autumn and winter months, Cape Verde is the perfect place for sun as temperatures range between 23 and 27C.
And it’s not particularly expensive either, a seven night all-inclusive stay with TUI on Boa Vista in September starts from £685pp – including flights.
TUI also offers a seven night all-inclusive stay in Sal from £706pp in September.
For more winter sun, check out the tiny African islands nicknamed the ‘purple isles’ – with short flights.
And here’s more on the Virgin Atlantic to relaunch winter sun destination which is getting new flights for the first time in six years.
Kara Godfrey Visited Boa Vista…
Here’s are Kara’s highlights from her visit to Cape Verde…
The islands in the Atlantic Ocean, just 350 miles off the west coast of Africa, celebrate 50 years of independence this year and I’m exploring Boa Vista, the lesser-developed island often overlooked in favour of its busier sister, Sal.
Tour giant TUI has just added extra flights from the East Midlands to the island, starting next weekend, in addition to its flights from Gatwick.
My guide Paolo gave me a brief insight into the history of the island, colonised by the Portuguese until 1975.
We learn of morna music — created by the indigenous population when they were enslaved by both African nations and Portugal — slow, danceable rhythms with tales of love and longing for the homeland.
And one can understand their longing to return when you discover Boa Vista’s blissfully quiet beaches.
Santa Monica, on the southeast of the island, is the finest in Cape Verde and often named as one of the best in the world by Tripadvisor.
Despite the abandoned apartment complex overlooking the beach (left half-finished for decades), the rest of the beach is almost as idyllic as any in the Maldives.
I was the only person there, sinking my toes into the soft golden sand, so powdery it almost felt like flour.
My other favourite beach was Praia Carlota, where you can lose the days in the hippy Morabeza beach hut, chilling out while enjoying fried fish and local Strela beer and admiring the soaring kite-surfers braving the winds that whip across the waters. – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
5
