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Cape Verde

Courses

Courses

Dive Sites

Dive Sites

Wildlife

Wildlife

Dive Trips

Dive Trips

Events

Events

Centers

Centers

Courses

© /Shutterstock-Igor Tichonow

Explore Cape Verde

Cape Verde offers an exceptional diving experience thanks to its unique location and diverse marine environments. Nestled below the Canary Islands, this archipelago of ten volcanic islands presents a stunning underwater landscape. Divers can explore a variety of sites, including vibrant coral reefs, dramatic walls, and intriguing wrecks. The islands are home to a rich array of marine life, from colorful tropical fish to larger species such as manta rays and sharks. Each dive promises encounters with Cape Verde’s distinctive underwater ecosystems, offering exciting and rewarding experiences for divers of all skill levels. A popular dive destination is Sal Island, the main flight hub, offering easy access to some of the country's best dive sites. The islands' warm waters, ranging from 22°C–27°C/72°F–81°F, provide excellent conditions for both shore and boat dives. Seasonal changes bring different marine visitors, with humpback whales often spotted between March and May. Beyond the water, the islands' volcanic origins create intriguing landscapes that extend below the surface, making each dive a journey into Cape Verde's geological past. English-speaking dive operators ensure that international divers feel welcome, adding to the ease and enjoyment of exploring Cape Verde's underwater wonders.

Power Plug Type
C, F
Payment Method
VISA, MC
Tipping
5–10% / Service Staff & Hotel Staff / Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory; service charges may be included in restaurant bills.
Currency
CVE
Dial Code
+238
Electricity
230V / 50Hz
Time
UTC−1 (CVT)

Upcoming Events

    • Open Water Diver

    Open Water Diver

    This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

    CABO DIVING POWERED BY AQUALIS, MELIA TORTUGA BEACH, 4111, SANTA MARIA, CPV
    July 2, 2026 +7 More
    On Request
    Open Water Diver

    Open Water Diver

    This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

    CABO DIVING POWERED BY AQUALIS, MELIA TORTUGA BEACH, 4111, SANTA MARIA, CPV
    July 2, 2026 +7 More
    On Request
    Open Water Diver

    Open Water Diver

    This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

    CABO DIVING POWERED BY AQUALIS, MELIA TORTUGA BEACH, 4111, SANTA MARIA, CPV
    July 2, 2026 +6 More
    On Request
    Open Water Diver

    Open Water Diver

    This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

    CABO DIVING POWERED BY AQUALIS, MELIA TORTUGA BEACH, 4111, SANTA MARIA, CPV
    July 2, 2026 +6 More
    On Request
    Included:

    Included:

    E-learning and full equipment

    CABO DIVING POWERED BY AQUALIS, MELIA TORTUGA BEACH, 4111, SANTA MARIA, CPV
    July 2, 2026 +6 More
    On Request
    Find Courses & Events

    Dive Centers

    Eco Dive School Cabo Verde

    Eco Dive School Cabo Verde

    Praia Antonio Sousa, 4111 Santa Maria, Cape Verde
    Exclusive Divers Cabo Verde

    Exclusive Divers Cabo Verde

    Rua Est. Navais Wilson nº6, 2110 Mindelo Sao Vicente Island, Cape Verde
    Cabo Verde Diving

    Cabo Verde Diving

    Hotel Farol and Hotel Meliã Tortuga e Dunas, 411 Santa Maria - Ilha do Sal, Cape Verde
    Santa Maria Dive Center

    Santa Maria Dive Center

    Djadsal Moradias Green Building, 4111 Santa Maria, Cape Verde

    Dive Tribe, Luis Castelo Branco

    Hotel Foya Branca - Sao Pedro - Ilha de São Vicente, Mindelo, Cape Verde

    Atlantic Star Nautical Center

    Hotel Hilton, 4111 Santa Maria, Cape Verde

    CABO DIVING POWERED BY AQUALIS

    MELIA TORTUGA BEACH, 4111 SANTA MARIA, Cape Verde

    Green Turtle Diving Center

    Santo Antão Art Resort, Albufadouro, 1310 Porto Novo - Santo Antão, Cape Verde

    AllBlue Cabo Verde

    Aldeamento Turistico de Murdeira, 4111 Murdeira, Cape Verde

    Sao Nicolau Diving / ALEA Divers

    Casa do Pescador, Avenida Assis Cadório, Tarrafal de Sao Nicolau, Sao N, Cape Verde

    Dive Sites

    Shark Explorers, 7975 Simons Town
    Windmill Beach <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

    Windmill Beach (★4.5)

    This site has a very easy and protected beach entry and a small cove with a sandy bottom that is suitable for training exercises, while also having a varied topography, diverse ecology, and large area.
    Green Turtle Diving Center, 1310 Porto Novo - Santo Antão
    Wish You Were Here <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.7)</span>

    Wish You Were Here (★4.7)

    One of our most emblematic dive spots. Located in the Northest part of the island. Reef like a big labyrinth wall with white sand bottom all around. The reef come up till 6 mts, and the sandy bottom at 12 mts. Completely full of all types of marine life, lots of schools of fish when theres current
    Dive Tribe, Mindelo
    Djeu (Ilhéu dos Pássaros) <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

    Djeu (Ilhéu dos Pássaros) (★4.3)

    Djeu is an islet located 3,5km NW of Mindelo, 5 min by boat from Porto Grande, where the lighthouse of Dom Luís is located. In this spot it is possible to do between 4 to 6 different routes, being a versatile spot suitable for different types of dives and the most varied profiles of divers.
    SELIM G. (#2858833)
    Tres Grutas (3 Caves) <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

    Tres Grutas (3 Caves) (★4.3)

    This wall dive has 3 caves of different sizes, 2 of them are larger, allowing 8-10 meters penetration and a small cave that only one person can go into in turnaround.
    Aqualung
    Kwarcit Wreck (Boris) <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

    Kwarcit Wreck (Boris) (★4.3)

    Artificial reef deployed and created by Manta Diving Center in January 2006 under their project Rebuilding Nature. This is the very first artificial reef in the Cape Verde archipelago.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in Cape Verde

    Cape Verde's marine life is a vibrant mix of tropical and temperate species due to its location in the Atlantic Ocean. The coral reefs around the islands host a variety of common reef fish such as parrotfish, butterflyfish, and sergeant majors, making them a delight for divers throughout the year. Divers can frequently encounter these colorful species in the shallower reef sections.

    Seasonal highlights include sightings of larger marine creatures like sharks, rays, and turtles. Loggerhead turtles are particularly notable around the beaches of Boa Vista and Sal, especially during nesting season from June to October. Sharks are more likely spotted off the island of Santa Luzia, where hammerhead and nurse sharks are known to frequent the waters. Rays, including the striking manta ray, are often seen gliding gracefully around the deeper reefs year-round, offering divers a chance to experience these majestic creatures up close.

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 200

    Alamy-WaterFrame
    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel
    1.8k Sightings
    J
    114
    F
    111
    M
    192
    A
    191
    M
    183
    J
    112
    J
    172
    A
    176
    S
    111
    O
    168
    N
    153
    D
    157
    Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle
    663 Sightings
    J
    38
    F
    21
    M
    86
    A
    61
    M
    57
    J
    66
    J
    62
    A
    67
    S
    21
    O
    40
    N
    70
    D
    74
    iStock-ShaneGross
    Loggerhead Turtle

    Loggerhead Turtle
    242 Sightings
    J
    12
    F
    13
    M
    10
    A
    11
    M
    22
    J
    24
    J
    36
    A
    61
    S
    17
    O
    19
    N
    2
    D
    15

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 600

    iStock/ultramarinfoto
    Wrasse

    Wrasse
    69 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    1
    M
    5
    A
    9
    M
    5
    J
    2
    J
    10
    A
    3
    S
    3
    O
    6
    N
    2
    D
    20

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
    Octopus

    Octopus
    68 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    3
    M
    5
    A
    9
    M
    6
    J
    4
    J
    10
    A
    14
    S
    4
    O
    2
    N
    3
    D
    7

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
    Trumpetfish

    Trumpetfish
    1.3k Sightings
    J
    74
    F
    79
    M
    126
    A
    117
    M
    146
    J
    80
    J
    154
    A
    134
    S
    91
    O
    127
    N
    112
    D
    108

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    iStock/Extreme-Photographer
    Stingrays

    Stingrays
    1.3k Sightings
    J
    76
    F
    117
    M
    132
    A
    113
    M
    113
    J
    68
    J
    115
    A
    123
    S
    89
    O
    133
    N
    125
    D
    134

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish
    1.1k Sightings
    J
    64
    F
    65
    M
    135
    A
    93
    M
    116
    J
    80
    J
    109
    A
    114
    S
    65
    O
    90
    N
    81
    D
    93

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 2

    AdobeStock-hakbak
    Nurse Shark

    Nurse Shark
    826 Sightings
    J
    55
    F
    88
    M
    71
    A
    82
    M
    84
    J
    63
    J
    59
    A
    82
    S
    36
    O
    72
    N
    76
    D
    58

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 100

    iStock-burnsboxco
    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish
    682 Sightings
    J
    41
    F
    56
    M
    69
    A
    42
    M
    41
    J
    28
    J
    94
    A
    75
    S
    26
    O
    93
    N
    54
    D
    63
    Show More

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Soldierfish

    Soldierfish
    627 Sightings
    J
    21
    F
    18
    M
    88
    A
    33
    M
    87
    J
    23
    J
    78
    A
    83
    S
    28
    O
    106
    N
    37
    D
    25

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    iStock-stephankerkhofs
    Porcupinefish

    Porcupinefish
    565 Sightings
    J
    58
    F
    47
    M
    76
    A
    36
    M
    56
    J
    28
    J
    53
    A
    51
    S
    36
    O
    57
    N
    27
    D
    40

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 85

    iStock-mirecca
    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish
    264 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    7
    M
    52
    A
    8
    M
    19
    J
    7
    J
    37
    A
    17
    S
    6
    O
    90
    N
    6
    D
    13

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
    Goatfish

    Goatfish
    253 Sightings
    J
    4
    F
    12
    M
    46
    A
    7
    M
    14
    J
    9
    J
    44
    A
    31
    S
    3
    O
    53
    N
    11
    D
    19

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 30

    SSI-Peter-Schinck
    Stonefish

    Stonefish
    241 Sightings
    J
    10
    F
    28
    M
    17
    A
    13
    M
    50
    J
    4
    J
    32
    A
    39
    S
    13
    O
    7
    N
    21
    D
    7

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3000

    SSI-Peter-Schinck
    Nudibranch

    Nudibranch
    186 Sightings
    J
    11
    F
    14
    M
    35
    A
    27
    M
    27
    J
    3
    J
    28
    A
    18
    S
    2
    O
    4
    N
    8
    D
    9

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Shutterstock-aquapix
    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts
    163 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    3
    A
    7
    M
    47
    J
    6
    J
    22
    A
    17
    S
    1
    O
    54
    N
    3
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
    Scorpionfish

    Scorpionfish
    151 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    6
    M
    23
    A
    17
    M
    21
    J
    2
    J
    7
    A
    14
    S
    1
    O
    23
    N
    13
    D
    19

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    iStock-wrangel
    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish
    140 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    3
    M
    2
    A
    22
    M
    20
    J
    6
    J
    22
    A
    3
    S
    3
    O
    29
    N
    7
    D
    20

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Shutterstock-Rich Carey
    Angelfish

    Angelfish
    130 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    5
    M
    7
    A
    13
    M
    28
    J
    7
    J
    13
    A
    5
    S
    5
    O
    31
    N
    6
    D
    7

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets
    121 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    1
    M
    16
    A
    23
    M
    17
    J
    6
    J
    11
    A
    10
    S
    3
    O
    25
    N
    2
    D
    5

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Squirrelfish

    Squirrelfish
    114 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    11
    A
    8
    M
    9
    J
    8
    J
    7
    A
    19
    S
    2
    O
    23
    N
    9
    D
    18

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    iStock-deraugenzeuge
    Snake Eel

    Snake Eel
    100 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    14
    M
    12
    A
    3
    M
    15
    J
    0
    J
    11
    A
    15
    S
    0
    O
    12
    N
    16
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Spiny Lobster

    Spiny Lobster
    95 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    8
    M
    7
    A
    2
    M
    29
    J
    0
    J
    5
    A
    14
    S
    3
    O
    13
    N
    7
    D
    5

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Alamy-Andre Seal
    Damselfish

    Damselfish
    93 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    3
    M
    10
    A
    15
    M
    7
    J
    7
    J
    19
    A
    1
    S
    10
    O
    13
    N
    5
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Shutterstock-Miroslav Halama
    Cornetfish

    Cornetfish
    79 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    1
    M
    11
    A
    13
    M
    11
    J
    3
    J
    4
    A
    2
    S
    8
    O
    7
    N
    0
    D
    18

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 55

    Shutterstock-RLS Photo
    Lobster

    Lobster
    69 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    8
    M
    2
    A
    13
    M
    7
    J
    6
    J
    5
    A
    5
    S
    1
    O
    3
    N
    1
    D
    18
    Alamy-Water Frame
    Panther Moray Eel (Dragon Eel)

    Panther Moray Eel (Dragon Eel)
    64 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    0
    M
    13
    A
    4
    M
    14
    J
    2
    J
    5
    A
    1
    S
    0
    O
    19
    N
    3
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 110

    iStock-Rainer von Brandis
    Snapper

    Snapper
    63 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    1
    M
    8
    A
    10
    M
    12
    J
    5
    J
    10
    A
    3
    S
    4
    O
    7
    N
    0
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish
    55 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    1
    M
    5
    A
    6
    M
    5
    J
    6
    J
    6
    A
    2
    S
    2
    O
    13
    N
    2
    D
    6

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    iStock-Hoatzinexp
    Jackfish

    Jackfish
    48 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    1
    M
    2
    A
    4
    M
    14
    J
    1
    J
    1
    A
    5
    S
    2
    O
    9
    N
    5
    D
    4