After recovering from the pandemic, Cape Verde is gaining momentum with this new cruise port in Mindelo to position itself as a key destination on both transatlantic and regional routes.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 74 – September 2025
Cape Verde is a country located in an archipelago of ten volcanic islands off the coasts of Senegal and Mauritania. These islands are part of Macaronesia, the name given to the five archipelagos in the North Atlantic near Africa, which includes the Azores, the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Madeira, and the Savage Islands. They have all joined together under the brand CAI – Cruise Atlantic Islands – to promote the destination within the cruise industry.
In recent decades, Cape Verde has emerged as a tropical tourist destination close to Europe, thanks to the opening of new airports and the improvement of port facilities. Sal is the most popular tourist island, possibly because it was the first to have an airport, but São Vicente, and its capital, Mindelo, are gaining ground. And it was here that ENAPOR, the entity that manages Cape Verde's ports, officially inaugurated the new cruise port and pier on June 21, 2025.
The importance of this moment is reflected in the attendance of the Prime Minister of Cape Verde, Dr. Ulisses Correia e Silva, the Ambassador of the Netherlands, Ms. Carmen Hagenaars, the Deputy Director General for International Partnerships of the European Union, Ms. Myriam Ferran, members of the government, local authorities, diplomatic corps, economic operators and representatives of civil society, who celebrated this historic moment for the economic development of the country.
Cape Verde received 195 cruise ship calls in 2018 with only 47,094 passengers, reflecting the relatively small size of the ships visiting the country. After overcoming the setback of the pandemic, in 2023 it received 171 calls with 86,945 passengers, and in 2024 there were 250 calls with 110,554 passengers. In other words, it is receiving more and larger ships.
The new cruise ship pier in Porto Grande, Mindelo, is 400 meters long and 20 meters wide, with a draft of 9.5 meters at the south berth and 11 meters at the north berth, allowing it to accommodate ships up to 350 meters long, 42 meters wide, and with a draft of 8.7 meters. It has also been built with pre-installed power supply systems (OPS) to provide shore power to cruise ships at a later stage.
In 2024, Cape Verde received 250 port calls with 110,554 passengers
The pier connects to a plaza that welcomes visitors, and then there is the terminal, 900 m2 and elliptical in shape, which has a large open space configurable to handle boarding and disembarking flows or as an auditorium or event hall.
The entrance to the terminal is a long pergola whose shade will be appreciated by cruise passengers, and around it there is 6,150 m2 of space for vehicles, with access points for dropping off and picking up passengers, parking, etc.
Cape Verde, one destination, nine ports.
São Vicente is not the only island that receives cruise ship calls; Santiago, the largest of the islands, also does, although in a slightly smaller percentage, followed by Porto Vale Cavaleiros, on the island of Fogo, and several other islands in a similar percentage.
São Vicente – Mindelo
is the second most populated island in Cape Verde, with approximately 80,000 inhabitants, most of whom live in Mindelo, its capital. It receives 33% of cruise ship calls and its attractions include the city itself, as well as Monte Verde National Park and the idyllic Laginha Beach.
The Avenida Marginal is the city's main avenue and runs along the Bay of Porto Grande, at the end of which is the cruise port. There you'll find a replica of Lisbon's Belém Tower, which houses the Maritime Museum (Museo do Mar), explaining the island's archaeological heritage, shipwrecks, maritime professions, and Cape Verde's importance in the fiber optic interconnection of continents.
Nearby is the Fish Market, always bustling in the morning, and Praça Estrela, home to the Vegetable Market, perfect for immersing yourself in the colors and smells of tropical fruits and vegetables.
Nearby, on Rua Lisboa, we find the commercial and business district, where the Mindelo Carnival and New Year's celebrations take place. Here you'll also find the Municipal Market, dating back to 1874. And you can also visit the colorful and intriguing CNAD – National Center for Arts and Design.
One of the most popular activities in Mindelo is going out on a boat to try your luck at deep-sea fishing.
Santiago – Porto Praia
The largest and most populated island of Cape Verde, with approximately 300,000 inhabitants, receives 26% of cruise ship calls. Its capital, Praia, has around 130,000 inhabitants, while the rest are distributed among other municipalities.
Cidade Velha, also known as Ribeira Grande de Santiago, is a historic site in Cape Verde, recognized by UNESCO in 2009 as a World Heritage Site. It was the first European settlement in the tropics and played a significant role in transoceanic trade routes between the 15th and 18th centuries. Banana Street is a small, unassuming street believed to be the first to be built here by the Portuguese. The Royal Fortress of São Filipe is also a must-see.
Santo Antão – Porto Novo
In the north of Santo Antão Island, the Cova do Paul volcanic caldera is the largest in Cape Verde. A geological marvel and a biodiversity sanctuary that truly impresses. The crater is now fertile land for crops, including sugarcane, an essential ingredient for making grog, a type of sugarcane spirit that is very famous and traditional on the island.
Santo Antão is a hiker's paradise; its rugged terrain and lush vegetation make for incredible landscapes and trails. The views of the Atlantic Ocean from the village of Fontaínhas were ranked among the second best in the world by the Spanish edition of National Geographic.
The Cova do Paul volcanic caldera is the largest in Cape Verde and a visual spectacle
Fogo – Porto Vale Cavaleiros.
Fogo Island is a fascinating destination marked by its imposing active volcano, Pico do Fogo, which rises to almost 3,000 meters and offers spectacular hiking trails. Within the volcanic caldera lies the picturesque village of Chã das Caldeiras, where visitors can discover rural life and sample local wines grown in lava soils. São Filipe, the capital, is notable for its colonial architecture and sea views. Black sand beaches, coffee plantations, and an authentic atmosphere make Fogo an ideal island for nature and culture lovers.
Other islands:
The fascinating rock formations of Carbeirinho on São Nicolau, the salt flats of Sal Island, the Viana desert on Boa Vista, the pristine beaches of Maio, and the colonial town of Nova Sintra on Brava Island are just some of the treasures that the other islands of Cape Verde hold. They offer enormous potential for both expedition cruises and larger cruises in Mindelo.
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