Can you visit multiple islands from Boa Vista? Flights, ferries, Sal, Santiago, and São Vicente: discover how to organize a Cape Verde island-hopping trip.
Can you visit multiple Cape Verde islands from Boa Vista?
Boa Vista has enough beaches, villages, desert landscapes, and maritime activities to easily fill a week's holiday. But when you discover that Cape Verde is made up of several islands with very different identities, a question quickly arises: can you make the most of a stay in Boa Vista to visit another island in Cape Verde?
The answer is yes.
The inhabited islands of the archipelago are connected by a network of domestic flights and ferries, making it possible to design a trip combining Boa Vista with Sal, Santiago, São Vicente, Fogo, or other destinations. CVsky operates inter-island air connections in 2026, while CV Interilhas serves nine islands by sea.
However, you need to organize this type of stay smartly: distances are short on a map, but connections do not operate like a metro system linking all islands multiple times an hour.
Is Boa Vista a good base for visiting several islands?
Yes, provided you consider each island as a real stage of your journey, rather than a quick excursion of a few hours.
Boa Vista has its own airport, Aristides Pereira International Airport, and is currently part of CVsky's domestic network. The airline features Boa Vista among its inter-island destinations and specifically markets a connection with Sal.
The ferry is the other option. CV Interilhas serves Boa Vista on its "Linha Redonda", which connects several islands in the north and east of the archipelago.
This means that a traveler staying in Boa Vista can continue their journey to another island without necessarily flying back through Europe.
Plane or ferry: which option to choose?
Both options have their advantages.
By plane
To save time, flying is generally the most convenient option.
CVsky launched its domestic operations in 2026 with ATR 72-600 aircraft and currently markets several inter-island routes. Its homepage notably offers the Sal–Boa Vista route.
Frequencies are not identical every day, however.
As an example, CVsky's booking engine showed certain Boa Vista–Sal dates in early September 2026 with a layover rather than a direct flight. It is therefore necessary to check your exact date, rather than assuming a direct flight exists every day.
By ferry
The ferry is slower, but offers a different way to travel and can be interesting if its schedule fits your itinerary well.
The official CV Interilhas timetable currently indicates estimated travel times of approximately:
Boa Vista–Sal: 3 h 05 Boa Vista–Santiago: 6 h 55 Boa Vista–São Nicolau: 7 h 20 Boa Vista–São Vicente: 10 h 50.
These durations apply to the maritime network and do not mean that a direct boat exists every day on every route.
Do ferries run every day?
No.
CV Interilhas explicitly states that schedules depend on the destination and recommends consulting its updated timetable before traveling. Line or schedule changes are published on its website.
Maritime weather can also play a role.
In January 2026, for example, CV Interilhas suspended several trips on the Linha Redonda due to strong winds and expected swells between 2.5 and 4.5 meters.
This is essential information for organizing an itinerary: do not schedule a ferry trip on the very day of your international return flight.
Keep a safety buffer.
Which island to combine first with Boa Vista?
Sal: the most natural combination
For a first two-island trip, Boa Vista + Sal is probably the easiest combination.
The two islands are geographically close, an air connection between Sal and Boa Vista is currently marketed by CVsky, and the ferry also links both islands.
However, the experiences are not identical.
Boa Vista is particularly associated with long wild beaches, the Viana desert, Sal Rei, and vast open landscapes. The Cape Verde Tourism Institute specifically indicates around 55 km of beaches on the island.
Sal, on the other hand, features Santa Maria, Pedra de Lume, volcanic landscapes, and a more concentrated tourist infrastructure.
It is therefore a great combination to discover two different sides of Cape Verde without multiplying travel legs.
Boa Vista + Santiago: to add culture and history
If you wish to complement the beaches of Boa Vista with a much more cultural experience, Santiago is an interesting option.
CVsky serves Santiago in its domestic network, and the ferry also connects Boa Vista to Santiago with an announced theoretical duration of around 6 h 55.
Santiago is home to Praia, the national capital, as well as Cidade Velha, deeply tied to the history of the archipelago.
The contrast with Boa Vista is much greater than with Sal.
This combination is particularly suited to those who wish to understand Cape Verde beyond beach tourism.
Boa Vista + São Vicente: for music and Mindelo
São Vicente offers yet another experience.
CVsky highlights the island as a destination connected to the energy, art, and music of Mindelo.
From Boa Vista, however, the journey may require more planning than for Sal. Air connections vary depending on days and routes, while the maritime network indicates around 10 h 50 between Boa Vista and São Vicente.
For this type of combination, I would plan for more days.
Can you add Santo Antão?
Yes, but Santo Antão is not a stop I would consider directly linked to Boa Vista.
Santo Antão is usually reached via São Vicente, as the ferry crossing between São Vicente and Santo Antão is short: the current CV Interilhas timetable indicates around 40 minutes.
An itinerary such as:
Boa Vista → São Vicente → Santo Antão
becomes interesting if you have at least two weeks and wish to add mountains and hiking to the desert landscapes of Boa Vista.
What about Fogo?
Fogo is an excellent option for a more ambitious trip.
CVsky currently serves Fogo in its network and highlights the island around its volcano, Chã das Caldeiras, wine, and coffee.
From Boa Vista, a connection may be required depending on the day.
It is therefore necessary to build your trip around actual flight availability rather than choosing hotel dates before checking inter-island transport.
What about Maio?
Maio shares a quieter vibe and long beaches with Boa Vista, but remains far less touristy.
CVsky also serves Maio, presenting the island as a destination of beaches, fishing villages, and tranquility.
For a first stay in Cape Verde, however, I would favor a second island that contrasts with Boa Vista, such as Sal, Santiago, or São Vicente.
How many days do you need to visit multiple islands?
In my opinion:
Less than 7 days: stay in Boa Vista.
You will lose too much time in transfers.
8 to 10 days: two islands maximum.
For example:
5 or 6 nights in Boa Vista 3 or 4 nights in Sal.
12 to 14 days: two islands comfortably.
You can take your time and maintain a safety margin for transport.
More than 14 days: three islands become feasible.
Provided the connections make logistical sense.
FAQ
Can you travel from Boa Vista to Sal?
Yes. CVsky currently markets the Sal–Boa Vista route and CV Interilhas also links the two islands by ferry.
How long does the ferry take between Boa Vista and Sal?
The current CV Interilhas timetable indicates a journey duration of approximately 3 h 05.
Can you visit another island in a single day from Boa Vista?
Technically, certain combinations might occasionally be possible depending on schedules, but I do not recommend it. Frequencies and schedules vary, and spending a night on-site allows you to truly discover the island.
Do inter-island flights need to be booked in advance?
Yes, especially if your itinerary depends on precise dates. CVsky opens its seasonal schedules for booking several months in advance.